Mediterranean Pasta Salad with Summer Fresh Vegetables
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Author:
Serves: 8
Ingredients
  • 1 box (13.25 oz.) whole grain pasta
  • 3 small bell peppers (any variety that you like: green, red, yellow, orange, etc.), ribs and seeds removed and diced.
  • 2 mild peppers (cubanelles, banana, anaheim, etc.), ribs and seeds removed and diced.
  • 1 jar or can (appx. 12-14 oz.) artichoke hearts in water, drained, rinsed and chopped
  • 1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
  • ½ cup balsamic vinegar
  • ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil, divided
  • 1 small container (3-4 oz.) of crumbled feta cheese
  • ⅓ cup fresh basil, chopped
  • Sea salt and fresh ground pepper to taste
  • 3 medium grilled zucchini (see instructions below for how to prepare), chopped into bite-size pieces
  • Juice of ½ a lemon
  • 1 tsp. extra virgin olive oil
  • Grill seasoning
Instructions
  1. Cook pasta to al-dente, according to package instructions, drain, rinse with cool water to stop the cooking process, drain again, pour into a large mixing bowl.
  2. Add peppers, artichokes, tomatoes (or leave on the side if there is an allergy), balsamic vinegar, olive oil, feta cheese and basil. Stir to combine.
  3. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
  4. Place mixed pasta salad ingredients in the refrigerator to cool while the zucchini is cooking.
  5. Add chopped and grilled zucchini to pasta mixture and give it one final stir.
FOR THE GRILLED ZUCCHINI
  1. Slice each zucchini in ½ lengthwise, leaving skin on ½ of each piece, resulting in 6 pieces
  2. Season each piece with a drizzle of lemon juice and olive oil and a sprinkle of grill seasoning.
  3. Grill over medium to medium-low heat for 4 minutes on each side or until tender (but not mushy)
  4. Remove from grill and let the zucchini rest for about 5 minutes before slicing.
Notes
I left the tomatoes on the side due to my dad's tomato allergy. You could certainly mix them in, if desired.
If you don't want to grill the zucchini, they could be left raw or lightly sauteed.
Recipe by Becky's Best Bites at https://beckysbestbites.com/mediterranean-pasta-salad-summer-fresh-vegetables/