Antipasto Salad with Salami

This hearty pasta salad is a delightful and satisfying option, perfect for a picnic meal or any gathering where you want to impress with a delicious dish. The combination of interesting pasta shapes and a flavorful dressing makes it stand out among other pasta salads. The recipe serves 8 to 10 people, making it suitable for a crowd, and its vibrant colors and flavors are sure to please everyone’s taste buds.

Serves 8 to 10

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 pound rotini or fusilli or any corkscrew-shaped pastas
• 2 garlic cloves
• 2 tablespoons Dijon-style mustard
• ½ cup red-wine vinegar
• 2½ tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon water
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 1 ounce (½ cup) sun-dried tomatoes
• ½ pound smoked gouda, cut into ½-inch cubes
• ½ pound fresh mozzarella, cut into ½-inch cubes
• 1 1-pound can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 small can artichoke hearts, cut in half (smaller bites)
• 1–2 tablespoons capers
• 3½ ounces sliced hard salami, cut into ½-inch julienne strips
• 10–20 bottled small peperoncini (pickled Tuscan peppers)
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes cut in half
• ½ teaspoon dried hot red pepper flakes
• 1 cup loosely packed fresh flat-leafed parsley leaves, minced
• Salt to taste

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Cook Pasta: Start by boiling salted water in a large pan. Add the rotini or any preferred corkscrew-shaped pasta to the boiling water and cook it until it becomes tender. Once done, rinse the pasta with cold water until it cools down. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
2. Prepare Dressing: In a food processor or blender, combine the garlic, Dijon-style mustard, red-wine vinegar, balsamic vinegar, water, vegetable oil, and salt to taste. Blend the mixture until the dressing becomes smooth and well combined.
3. Combine Ingredients: In a very large bowl, toss the cooked pasta with the dressing until it is well coated. Now, stir in the sun-dried tomatoes, artichoke hearts, mozzarella, smoked gouda, garbanzo beans, salami, peperoncini, red pepper flakes, capers, and minced parsley. Gently fold all the ingredients together, ensuring an even distribution of flavors.
4. Garnish: Add the cherry tomatoes and additional chopped parsley as a garnish, which will enhance the visual appeal of the salad.
5. Chill and Serve: Cover the pasta salad and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour. Chilling allows the flavors to meld together, resulting in a tastier salad. The salad can be prepared up to 2 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator, covered.

TIPS:

• Experiment with different pasta shapes to add variety and create an attractive presentation.
• For a more intense flavor, marinate the pasta salad overnight before serving.
• If you prefer a vegetarian version, omit the salami and add more vegetables like roasted bell peppers or olives.
• Customize the dressing by adding fresh herbs like basil or thyme for an extra burst of flavor.
• Consider serving the pasta salad with a side of crusty bread or garlic breadsticks for a complete and satisfying meal.

Enjoy this hearty pasta salad with friends and family on a sunny day, at a picnic, or as a side dish for a barbeque. Its combination of textures and flavors will surely make it a favorite among your loved ones!