Description
Green Pasta Salad with Edible Flowers is a vibrant and refreshing pasta salad packed with crisp green vegetables, fresh herbs, creamy avocado, and tender pasta. Enhanced with a bright lemon-herb dressing and topped with colorful edible flowers, this salad is perfect for spring gatherings, summer celebrations, and light brunches.
Ingredients
For the Salad:
- 12 oz rotini or bow-tie pasta
- 1 cup broccoli florets, cut small
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1 cup green peas, cooked and cooled
- 1 avocado, diced
- ½ cup sugar snap peas, sliced
- ¼ cup green onions, sliced
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped
- ¼ cup edible flowers, such as pansies, nasturtiums, or violas
For the Lemon Herb Dressing:
- ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tbsp white wine vinegar
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 tsp honey or maple syrup
- 1 tbsp fresh basil, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water until completely cooled.
- Blanch Vegetables: Blanch the broccoli florets and sugar snap peas in boiling water for 1–2 minutes, then immediately transfer them to an ice bath to stop cooking. Drain well to remove all water.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, add the cooled pasta, blanched broccoli, cucumber, green peas, sugar snap peas, diced avocado, sliced green onions, chopped parsley, and chopped basil. Toss gently to mix.
- Prepare Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together extra-virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, white wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, honey (or maple syrup), finely chopped basil, parsley, salt, and black pepper until well emulsified.
- Toss Salad with Dressing: Pour the lemon herb dressing over the pasta salad and toss delicately to ensure everything is evenly coated without bruising the ingredients.
- Chill Salad: Refrigerate the salad for 20–30 minutes to allow flavors to meld and to serve chilled.
- Add Edible Flowers: Just before serving, gently arrange the edible flowers on top for a beautiful presentation without mixing them deeply into the salad.
- Serve: Serve the salad chilled or slightly cool as a refreshing side or light main dish.
Notes
- Only use edible flowers specifically sold or grown for culinary use; avoid any treated with pesticides or chemicals.
- For added protein and flavor, consider adding fresh mozzarella or feta cheese (omit cheese for vegan version).
- Use maple syrup in place of honey to make this salad fully vegan.
- Add avocado shortly before serving to prevent browning.
- Keep edible flowers on top rather than mixing vigorously to preserve their delicate texture and appearance.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad, Side Dish, Pasta Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American, Mediterranean-Inspired
