This salad is dressed with a plain vinaigrette: olive oil, red wine vinegar, dried oregano and salt. There is no mayonnaise or cream.
Most of the bowl is vegetables. Cherry tomatoes, cucumber, yellow and orange pepper and thin red onion go in with sliced black olives, feta and parsley.
Pasta First, Dressing Last
The order keeps the vegetables evenly spread and the pasta evenly dressed.
The rotini
Twelve ounces cooked al dente, drained and cooled.
The vegetables
Halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, yellow and orange pepper and thin red onion.
Olives, feta and parsley
Sliced black olives, crumbled feta and chopped parsley tossed through.
The dressing
Olive oil, red wine vinegar, oregano and salt, poured over and tossed again.
Chilled until serving.
How to Make It
Rotini cooked, drained and cooled
Cook the rotini until al dente, drain it and let it cool.
Oregano vinaigrette whisked
Whisk the olive oil, red wine vinegar, oregano and salt.
Vegetables, olives, feta and parsley tossed in
Toss the pasta with the tomatoes, cucumber, peppers, red onion, olives, feta and parsley.
Dressed, tossed again and chilled
Add the dressing, toss again, and chill until serving.
Why This Recipe Works
- Red wine vinegar and dried oregano give the vinaigrette a Mediterranean-style flavour that suits feta and olives.
- Tossing the vegetables through the pasta before the dressing spreads them evenly.
- A second toss after dressing makes sure every spiral of rotini is coated.
- Serving it chilled keeps the cucumber and peppers crisp.
Success Tips
- Dice the cucumber and peppers to about the size of the rotini pieces.
- Crumble the feta in large pieces so it does not disappear into the dressing.
- Give the salad one more toss right before serving.
Ingredient Notes
- Yellow and orange bell pepper
- Half a cup, diced, for colour alongside the red tomatoes.
- Sliced black olives
- Half a cup, mixed through the salad.
- Red wine vinegar
- Three tablespoons with a quarter cup of olive oil makes a sharp dressing.
Storage and Reheating
Refrigerate
Keep the assembled salad refrigerated at 40°F or below.
Serving Ideas
Serve chilled in a large bowl with the colourful vegetables, olives and white feta showing through the rotini.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the dressing creamy?
No. It is olive oil, red wine vinegar, dried oregano and salt.
Which cheese is in it?
Crumbled feta.
