Probably the most famous Italian summer salad is the Caprese: the classic combo of ripe tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil. But Italian cooks are no slouches when it comes to other summer vegetables either. From arugula to zucchini, these simple preparations let the season’s best shine through. Let’s just say you’ll miss them when fall arrives.
-
RecipeShaved Squash Carpaccio with Capers and Ricotta Salata
Refreshing and light, this is a perfect first course for a summer dinner. Make it up to a few hours in advance, keeping it covered and chilled and adding the salt, pepper, cheese, and capers just before serving.
-
RecipeArugula Salad with Salami Picante and Pecorino
Salami picante, a chorizo-like salami, provides a spicy counterpoint to the potent arugula, sweet shaved fennel and mellow, nutty pecorino in this salad.
-
RecipeTomato & Green Bean Salad with Crisp Prosciutto
Tomatoes and fresh green beans make for a happy marriage in this salad, and the crispy baked prosciutto adds a bit of saltiness and crunch. -
RecipeDandelion Salad with Pancetta, Eggs, and Croutons
The bitter bite of the Italian leafy greens known as puntarelle is offset by the richness of eggs and bacon. In America, dandelion greens are more readily available, especially at farmers' markets. -
RecipeTomatoes and Burrata with Tapenade
This riff on the Caprese salad swaps in luscious, creamy burrata for the mozzarella, balanced by dabs of briny olive tapenade. -
RecipeGrilled Shrimp and Calamari Salad with Arugula
Italy's coastal towns are famous for their refreshing mixes of simply cooked seafood and summer vegetables. If you can't get calamari (or aren't a fan), just substitute more shrimp. -
RecipeGrilled Bread Salad With Basil and Cherry Tomatoes
A trip to the grill gives the makings of a classic Italian bread salad—a good crusty loaf of bread, ripe summer tomatoes, and basil—a little smokiness and crisp texture. Because this salad can sit out at room temperature for an hour or two, it’s perfect for a picnic or barbecue. -
RecipeTuscan Grilled Chicken and Pepper Salad
Yellow bell peppers and yellow cherry tomatoes make a stunning salad, but if you can’t find them, simply use more of the red.
-
RecipeEscarole Salad with Olives and Garlic Croutons
This salad is gorgeous when you make it with the four colors of tomato, but it’s still excellent if you only use one or two colors. -
RecipeTomato, Chive & Pine Nut Salad with Gorgonzola Toasts
This salad is gorgeous when you make it with the four colors of tomato, but it’s still excellent if you only use one or two colors. -
RecipeHeirloom Tomato Salad with Parmesan Crisps
Here's an impressive and easy way to show off many colors and shapes of heirloom tomatoes: simply stack them with these thin, crunchy one-ingredient Parmesan crisps.
