Park Seed Customer's Recipes: Salads

Cucumber Salad

Submitted by Dorothea P.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups Rotini pasta (cooked Al Dente according to directions)
• 2 cups cherry tomatoes (halved)
• 1 large green bell pepper (seeds removed , diced finely)
• 1 large cucumber (peeled and diced)

• 1/3 cup scallions (chopped finely)
• 1/4 cup green olives (pitted and thinly sliced)
• 2/3 bottle red wine vinaigrette dressing

Directions:

Rinse pasta in cold water and drain. Place pasta in large bowl and combine with vegetables. Add dressing and toss. Refrigerate covered for 2 hours tossing occasionally. 

Tri Color Bean Salad With Lemon Vinaigrette

Submitted by Diane N.

Ingredients:

• One good handful each (about one cup each) purple, green and yellow bush beans
• 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
• leaf lettuce for serving
• juice of one lemon
• 1/4 cup walnut oil
• freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup shaved Parmesan cheese

Directions:

In a large bowl, whisk together lemon juice, oil, salt and pepper.

Wash and dry beans and cut off stem ends. Cut each bean lengthwise (French style) and place in bowl with onion. Allow to stand at room temperature for about 15 minutes (or refrigerate up to one hour, then remove from refrigerator 15 minutes before serving.

Place lettuce leaves on four individual salad plates and top with beans. Scatter cheese over top.

Spinach Strawberry Salad

Submitted by Annette E.

This colorful and surprisingly delicious salad is a great way to get your kids to love eating greens!

Salad Ingredients:

• 2-3 handfuls Fresh Spinach washed and trimmed (Malabar Red Stem or Renegade Hybrid are good choices)
• 1/2 cup Sliced Strawberries (Earliglow is a good choice)
• 1/4 cup chopped scallions (Red Baron Hybrid is a good choice)

Dressing Ingredients:

• 2 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 2 Tablespoons sugar
• 1/2 cup light salad oil
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh herb of your choice:
• basil (Mrs. Burns Lemon or Cinnamon Basil are good choices)
• cilantro (Delfino is a good choice) or tarragon
• Salt and pepper to taste

Combine dressing ingredients and mix well. Pour into salad ingredients and toss. Serve immediately.