Pasta salad with vegetables and its “Moorish” vinaigrette

Ingredients:

• 8 oz. Rotini or Fusili pasta
• 1 medium Cucumber
• 1 large Red bell pepper
• 1/2 cup Frozen corn kernels, thawed
• 1/4 cup chopped Fresh parsley
• 1/3 cup diced Feta cheese
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Moorish Vinaigrette:

• 3 cloves of Garlic
• 1 teaspoon Cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon Paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon Black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon Salt
• 3 tablespoons Olive oil
• 2 tablespoons Freshly squeezed lemon juice

Instructions:

1. Start by cooking the pasta according to package instructions in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and rinse the pasta with cold water to stop the cooking process.
2. While the pasta is cooking, cut the cucumber and red bell pepper into small cubes and thaw the frozen corn. Place the vegetables in the large bowl.
3. Add the cooked pasta to the bowl with the chopped vegetables and mix well.
4. For the Moorish vinaigrette, peel the garlic and crush it with a garlic press. Combine the garlic, cumin, paprika, black pepper, and salt in a small bowl.
5. Whisk in the olive oil and freshly squeezed lemon juice.
6. Pour the vinaigrette over the pasta and vegetables, and mix well.
7. Add fresh parsley and feta cheese to the bowl, and season with salt and black pepper to taste.
8. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Verdict:

This pasta salad with vegetables and Moorish vinaigrette is a healthy and refreshing summer dish. The combination of the crispy vegetables, tangy feta cheese, and flavorful vinaigrette is simply irresistible. It’s perfect for any potluck, a summer picnic, or as a side dish for your BBQ.

Serving suggestions:

Serve chilled with some grilled chicken, steak, or seafood. You can also add your favorite veggies or herbs to the salad to make it more colorful and nutritious. Enjoy!