Fresh California Salad Bowl (Printer-Friendly Version)

A vibrant California salad bursting with crisp veggies, pasta, and zesty homemade dressing. Perfect for sunny gatherings.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 ounces dry spaghetti

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
03 - 1 cup cucumber, diced
04 - 1 cup bell pepper, diced
05 - 1/2 cup red onion, finely diced
06 - 1/2 cup carrots, shredded
07 - 1/2 cup black olives, sliced
08 - 1/3 cup fresh parsley, chopped

→ Dressing

09 - 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
10 - 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
11 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
12 - 1 teaspoon sugar
13 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
14 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
15 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt
16 - 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

→ Finishing Touch

17 - 1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese, for garnish

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Snap the spaghetti in half and cook according to package directions for al dente. Drain, rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process, and toss with a small amount of olive oil to prevent sticking.
02 - While the pasta is cooking, dice the cucumber, bell pepper, red onion, and shred the carrots. Slice the olives and halve the cherry tomatoes. Soak diced red onion in cold water for 1 minute, then drain well.
03 - In a large salad bowl, gently mix the cooled spaghetti, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, red onion, carrots, olives, and half of the chopped parsley.
04 - Whisk together the extra-virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, sugar, dried oregano, garlic powder, kosher salt, and ground black pepper in a small bowl until well blended.
05 - Pour the dressing evenly over the salad and toss thoroughly with two large spoons using a gentle lifting and turning motion to coat all ingredients without bruising the vegetables.
06 - Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, preferably longer, for flavors to fully meld.
07 - Before serving, toss the salad again and sprinkle with shredded parmesan cheese and the remaining parsley for a fresh finish.

# Additional Tips:

01 - For best texture, prepare the salad a day ahead to allow the flavors to deepen; add tomatoes and cheese just before serving for optimal freshness.
02 - Rinsing cooked pasta under cold water stops further cooking and removes excess starch that can cause sticking.
03 - Soaking red onion briefly in cold water tempers its sharpness without losing flavor.

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