Mediterranean Pecan Pasta Salad

Description

This layered pecan pasta salad is an elegant but easy side or main dish. Perfect to serve when hosting a gathering or attending a special occasion, it can easily be customized with seasonal ingredients. This version combines fresh vegetables, oranges, cheese and pecans for a light and bright pasta salad dish.

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup salt
• 12 ounces orecchiette pasta, or other small pasta
• 4 cups of radicchio, thinly sliced
• 1 cup halved marinated olives (Kalamata and green)
• 1/2 cup marinated artichoke, cut into bite-size pieces
• 1/3 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes
• 1 cup pecan pieces, plus optional pecan halves for garnish
• 3/4 cup chopped parsley or mint (or both)
• 6 ounces feta cheese
• 1 cara cara orange, cut into slices
• 2 cups chopped spinach
• Lemon vinaigrette and fresh-cracked pepper (optional)

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil with 1/4 cup of salt. When water is bubbling, add in pasta, allow water to come back to a boil, then start timer for about 10 minutes. When pasta is cooked, el dente, drain and rinse under cold water. Set aside.
2. In a large, clear bowl, layer half of the radicchio on the bottom. Sprinkle half of the olives, artichoke, and tomato on top. Next, spread out half of the pasta, 1/2 cup of pecan pieces, half of the parsley, 3 ounces of crumbled feta, and the orange slices.
3. Add the spinach, then repeat layering steps with the radicchio, olives, artichoke, tomato, pasta, pecan pieces, parsley, feta, and orange.
4. If using the dressing, add to your taste after layering is complete.*
5. Crack with fresh pepper and refrigerate for about an hour before serving.