Need a last-minute idea for tomorrow afternoon’s Fourth of July picnic? Look no further. After a day that started and ended with chocolate yesterday, we needed a good salad around here today. (I don’t mean that in a we-must-repent-with-salad way. I mean that in a let’s-have-more-cake-today-but-maybe-some-salad-too way.)
This one is a beaut. I think that my love for radishes has been well documented here, and when I saw this Smitten Kitchen recipe I was pretty sure that a radish-less version would be a pale imitation. But in a very unusual turn of events, my fridge is relatively bare (we were out of town for 10 days and I haven’t gone shopping yet). The only crunchy vegetables I could scare up were romaine lettuce, a yellow pepper, a few baby carrots, and a couple of green onions. Into the salad they went.
I toasted pepitas for more crunch, and because I was thinking of Barrio’s chopped salad, a place my mind often wanders in my wistful-for-salad moments. I piled on the one-two-three punch (is that a thing?) of feta, mint, and lime juice, which I copied from Deb and Deb copied from April Bloomfield. Genius. Do it.
Summer Crunch Salad with Feta, Mint, and Lime: Thinly slice a big handful of romaine lettuce leaves and a couple of green onions, then finely dice a sweet pepper and a carrot. (Alternatively, chop up whatever crunchy vegetables you find in your own fridge or garden.) Stir in a couple handfuls of well-toasted pepitas, a crumbled chunk of feta, and a sprig’s worth of slivered mint leaves. Squeeze a juicy lime all over the salad, then drizzle with olive oil and a few good pinches each of salt and chile powder. Toss well and taste, adjusting the flavors as needed. The lime, mint, and salt flavors should all come through.
Note: If you are taking this salad to a party, as you surely will this summer, keep the feta, pepitas, and dressing separate until just before serving (otherwise the salt in the dressing and feta will soften your crunchy veggies and make them watery, which in turn will soften the pepitas).
Emmy Cooks 
This looks delicious. I’m going to a fourth party tomorrow where the host was going to roast a whole pig but backed out at the last minute, deciding to serve crap chicken nuggets in stead. I’m going to make this salad some time in the future, but I’m bringing a printed version of it to the party. I’m going to tell him I was planning on serving it and then hand him a warm Schlitz instead. Equivalent?
I don’t know. If there’s a freezer around, even a bad cold beer is pretty good. Better bring a few for yourself as well.
I am not very imaginative with my salads, but I love lime and crunchy veggies. Thanks for the inspiration to mix it up a bit. We are on vacation, but when we get home to steamy St. Louis we are going to need some good salad recipes. Thanks!
Such a terrific salad – I love the combination of feta and pepitas. Salty and crunchy is always a hit with us! This will be perfect in my summer salad repertoire. Thanks! And Happy July 4th!
This sounds fabulous…and a good way to use up the insane amount of greens I keep receiving from my CSA. Bonus!
I have been wanting to make this since Deb put it up — it sounds so good! And, it just occurred to me, that I’m going to a potluck this coming Saturday. I think this will be the dish I bring!
Always nice to cook from the fridge!
It’s not just your love for radishes that has been well documented; judging by the number of recipes that use it, you seem to have an even bigger love for feta! ;-)