Sicilian escarole salad, also known as insalata di scarola alla siciliana, is a refreshing and flavorful salad that originated in the vibrant island of Sicily, Italy. This traditional dish is a delightful combination of bitter escarole leaves, sweet oranges, salty capers, and tangy red wine vinegar. The unique blend of flavors and textures makes it a perfect side dish or a light vegetarian meal. This article explores the authentic recipe of Sicilian escarole salad, providing step-by-step instructions and insights into its historical and cultural significance. Discover the secrets behind this classic salad's popularity and learn how to prepare it in the comfort of your own kitchen.
Here are our top 10 tried and tested recipes!
ESCAROLE SICILIANO
This lemony salad is served hot from the wok. Escarole is a bitter green, but can be less so when grown shielded from the sun. In general, lighter green leaves indicate a milder flavor. Thinly sliced tomatoes are a great accompaniment. This recipe can be doubled. For a larger party, cook in batches.
Provided by Charlie
Categories Salad Green Salad Recipes
Time 15m
Yield 3
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Heat oil in a wok over high heat. Add escarole; cook and stir until greens begin to wilt. Stir in lemon juice. Add capers, salt, and olives; cook and stir for another 15 seconds. Season with black pepper to taste. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 224.1 calories, Carbohydrate 16.4 g, Fat 17.5 g, Fiber 11 g, Protein 4.8 g, SaturatedFat 2.4 g, Sodium 449.6 mg, Sugar 1.9 g
ESCAROLE SALAD
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories appetizer
Time 15m
Yield 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 0
Steps:
- Make lemon-basil oil:
- Mix 1/3 cup olive oil, a strip of lemon zest, 8 torn basil leaves and a pinch of salt; infuse 2 hours. Soak 1/2 thinly sliced red onion in water for 10 minutes to mellow the bite. When ready to serve, toss 1 head chopped escarole, the onion slices, 2 sliced celery stalks, 3/4 cup chopped green olives and a few tablespoons olive juice, 2 segmented lemons and 1/4 cup each toasted pine nuts and golden raisins in a serving bowl. Discard the zest from the infused oil, drizzle over the salad and season with salt and pepper.
SICILIAN-STYLE CITRUS SALAD
Winter is the season when many kinds of citrus fruits suddenly appear. For this savory fruit salad, a mixture of navel, blood and Cara Cara oranges and a small grapefruit make a colorful display. It's fine to use just one kind of orange, blood oranges being the classic example. Thinly sliced fennel, celery and red onion add a tasty bit of crunch. The salad is dressed assertively with oil and vinegar, and scattered with olives and flaky sea salt.
Provided by David Tanis
Categories brunch, dinner, easy, lunch, salads and dressings, appetizer, side dish
Time 30m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Make the vinaigrette: Whisk together olive oil and vinegar in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper and set aside. It should be tart but not over-vinegary. Taste and add a little more olive oil if necessary.
- To peel the citrus fruit, use a small serrated knife. First, cut off a thin slice of peel from the top and bottom of the orange, so it can sit flat and securely on the cutting board. Use a sawing motion to take off the peel, cutting from top to bottom, following the curve of the fruit. Remove only the peel and white pith, not the flesh of the orange. It should now be perfectly spherical and naked. Peel remaining oranges and grapefruit in this fashion.
- Carefully slice peeled citrus crosswise. Arrange slices on a large serving platter in a random pattern, letting them overlap a bit here and there. Scatter onion, fennel and celery over top. Dot the surface with olives. Surround with salad leaves, if using.
- Whisk vinaigrette, and spoon evenly over the salad. Sprinkle lightly with flaky salt and serve.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 186, UnsaturatedFat 7 grams, Carbohydrate 28 grams, Fat 9 grams, Fiber 6 grams, Protein 3 grams, SaturatedFat 1 gram, Sodium 653 milligrams, Sugar 20 grams
SICILIAN ESCAROLE SALAD
This recipe won me $200 in the August 2005 Better Homes and Gardens magazine. I am sure you will love it too.
Provided by mkmac4
Categories Vegetable
Time 15m
Yield 6-8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Add Wine vinegar to bottom of bowl.
- Peel garlic, and using a garlic press, add garlic to vinegar and allow to sit at least 10 minutes. (Alternatively, if you don't have a garlic press, mince garlic finely and then sprinkle with salt and rub the side of your knife across it to crush garlic to a fine paste, then add to vinegar as above.) Stir pepper, oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes into vinegar. Add chopped onion, stir to mix together.
- Wash and thoroughly dry the escarole and separate the leaves, tearing them into 1-2 inch pieces. Add to vinegar and garlic, chop the cucumber into one inch pieces and season with black pepper.
- If using the optional anchovies, break them into sections and add to the olive oil. Otherwise, pour olive oil over salad, sprinkle with salt and mix gently but thoroughly. Taste and adjust seasonings.
- Escarole salad can be easily varied to suit the ingredients that you have available, or what's seasonal at the market. But remember, it's best kept rather simple, with not too many ingredients.
- This can be topped with Parmesan croutons or served with [bruschetta]. When in season, optionally add fresh ripe tomato slices and use chopped fresh basil and oregano. Another nice addition is roasted red peppers. Or add 2" X 1/2" slices of salami, mortadella or a sharp Italian cheese such as Asiago or Provolone. Or add a can of cannelloni beans (drained), or a can of Italian Tonno (tuna) packed in olive oil.
- Note: When using anchovies, adjust salt, as anchovies can be very salty depending on how they're packed.
SICILIAN STYLE CHICK PEA SALAD
Steps:
- In a large mixing bowl combine the chickpeas, lemon juice, wine vinegar, raisins, pine nuts, green onions, anchovies, lemon zest, salt and pepper and stir gently to combine with spoon. Transfer to 6 salad plates and divide the hard boiled eggs and flaked tuna among the plates. Drizzle with some of the reserved oil from the tuna, garnish each plate evenly with the basil and serve immediately.
ESCAROLE SALAD
Provided by Jeff Mauro, host of Sandwich King
Categories side-dish
Time 10m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Whisk together the honey, whole grain mustard, lemon juice, and then stream in the olive oil. Season with salt and pepper and toss with the escarole.
SICILIAN SALAD
Categories Salad Leafy Green Olive Tomato Appetizer Side No-Cook Quick & Easy Celery Arugula Summer Gourmet Sugar Conscious Vegan Vegetarian Pescatarian Paleo Dairy Free Wheat/Gluten-Free Peanut Free Tree Nut Free Soy Free No Sugar Added Kosher
Yield Makes 10 servings
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Combine arugula, lettuce, celery, onion, tomatoes, olives, and capers in a large bowl. Drizzle with oil and sprinkle with sea salt, then toss. Drizzle with vinegar and toss again.
SICILIAN SALAD
Cheese cubes give substance to this beautiful, mild and fresh pasta salad. It makes a great side in any season. -Ben Haen, Baldwin, Wisconsin
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Lunch
Time 25m
Yield 8 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and rinse in cold water. , In a large salad bowl, combine the pasta, tomatoes, cheese, onion, olives and parsley. Drizzle with oil; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate until serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 229 calories, Fat 11g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 9mg cholesterol, Sodium 606mg sodium, Carbohydrate 25g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 8g protein.
ESCAROLE SALAD
This simple side salad is delicious paired with roasted chicken and vegetables.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Salad Recipes
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place 1 cup walnuts on rimmed baking sheet and toast in oven 10 minutes. Cool to room temperature and coarsely chop.
- Finely chop remaining walnuts and place in small saucepan with olive oil and garlic. Bring to bare simmer over medium heat. Remove from heat, cool to room temperature, and strain oil into medium bowl. Whisk vinegar, salt, and black pepper into oil.
- Spread escarole over a large platter. Sprinkle coarsely chopped walnuts and red onion over escarole and drizzle dressing over salad. Shave Pecorino Romano on top and serve immediately.
SICILIAN CHOPPED SALAD
Loaded with fabulous flavor, this hearty salad comes together in no time. Chop the tomatoes and celery and cube the mozzarella before guests arrive, and you'll have this ready in moments. -Beth Burgmeier, East Dubuque, Illinois
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Lunch
Time 15m
Yield 10 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- In a large bowl, combine the first seven ingredients. Drizzle with dressing and toss to coat.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 170 calories, Fat 13g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 17mg cholesterol, Sodium 1225mg sodium, Carbohydrate 6g carbohydrate (3g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 5g protein.
Tips:
- Choose fresh, young escarole with tightly packed leaves for the best flavor and texture.
- Wash the escarole thoroughly to remove any dirt or grit.
- Use a sharp knife to thinly slice the escarole for a more delicate salad.
- To add a bitter note to the salad, use radicchio or puntarelle instead of escarole.
- For a more substantial salad, add some cooked cannellini beans or chickpeas.
- Serve the salad immediately after dressing to prevent the escarole from wilting.
Conclusion:
Sicilian escarole salad is a refreshing and flavorful salad that is perfect for a light lunch or dinner. It is also a great way to use up any leftover escarole. With its simple ingredients and easy preparation, this salad is a great option for busy weeknights. Try experimenting with different variations of the dressing to find your favorite combination of flavors.
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