This salad is one of my favorite spring dishes and always very popular. It is a salad that holds up well, can easily be adapted for a crowd and really livens up a box lunch. Its bright citrusy notes with fresh mint satisfy our spring cravings for fresh flavors. It is great on its own or as a side.
There are many ways to modify the recipe. I have made it with all edamame, red onions instead of scallions and feta cheese instead of pecorino. The possibilities are endless. Make it totally your own!
The nutitional punch this salad packs is impressive. Edamame is one of of those star legumes: good source of protein, high in fiber, rich in vitamins A and C and a good source of iron and calcium. Just 1/2 cup provides the fiber of 4 slices of whole wheat bread and the iron of a 4 oz chicken breast!(WebMD) Fava beans are a great source of folate and manganese as well as fiber and iron.(healthyeating.sfgate.com) This salad is not only tasty, it totally rocks on the nutritional front!
[title=”SPRING EDAMAME AND PEA SALAD WITH SHAVED PECORINO” servings=”6-8″ difficulty=”easy” time=”30 minutes”] Adapted from Sara Foster
2 c shelled edamame, fresh or frozen
2 c green peas, fresh or frozen
2 c fava beans, fresh or frozen
4 green onions, sliced thinly
4 T chopped fresh mint
2 oz of shaved pecorino cheese
Dressing: juice and zest of 2 small lemons; 6 T white vinegar; 1/2 c olive oil; sea salt and fresh ground pepper to taste
Cook edamame, fava beans and peas according to package directions in salted water. You want to keep them al dente, not mushy. Plunge them in ice water to stop the cooking. Place in a serving bowl and add the green onions and chopped mint. Make the dressing by mixing the vinegar, lemon zest and lemon juice together. Whisk in the oil slowly, emulsifying the dresssing. Season with salt and pepper. Toss with the edamame mixture. Garnish with the cheese and serve.[/recipe]
This dish just screams spring. So lovely.
It really is spring in every bite Julie! Nice to hear from you:)
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Pecorino cheese makes everything better! I used to sneak some every once in a while when I was eating dairy free. Sheep’s milk isn’t quite so bad as cow’s milk for sensitive tummies. This dish is something I definitely need to try. Thanks for sharing!
Totally agree! :))
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Five delicious green ingredients + pecorino = super delicious! Love this salad.
Thanks Hilda! I hope you’ll make it:)) How is the maple syrup harvest going?
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I will make it. I am planning to plant a lot of beans and peas in the garden this year, so I hope to use my own harvest for it eventually. Our maple syrup is going extremely well – we sort of have the process down pat. Good thing too as I gather the producers have found it less than favourable because of the lateness of the run. Apparently it affects the quality, although ours is fine. We should have enough to get us through the year.
Another delicious dish worthy of a French gardener! I love the combination of peas and cheese 🙂
Gotta balance out those awesome cupcakes Ginger!
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What a fresh and delicious salad! I love all the shades of green from the different legumes 🙂
Thank you! There is spring sunshine in every bite! 🙂
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A wonderful way to celebrate spring with this dish Johanne. Love all the ingredients, and that shaved Pecorino had me sold. The weather is definitely starting to get better isn’t it..:)
Spring is finally here Loretta! Was in DC yeaterday and the cherry blossoms were in full bloom everywhere. Gorgeous bulb displays too. So wonderful to see!
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Johanne I just love this salad and am making it this week for our Third Thursday Potluck Dinner! It is just the perfect thing to make and take! The painting is so wonderful as well and a great addition to your post I must say….it is just a little extra that can make a great blog post even better. Happy Spring.
Wow, I am so honored Teresa!!! It is such a great salad for a crowd and it will hold up beautifully on a buffet table. Let me know how everyone likes it. Thank you for your comments on the art. I tey to add either something from literature or art when I can. Happy Sunday! We finally have sunshine and warmer temps in PA.
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When’s dinner? Is there any left over? If I leave right now I think I can be there in about 16 hours or so!! 🙂
I will make you a whole fresh big bowl of this salad when you arrive! At least it is warm here and spring has sprung!
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🙂 Our surprise snow left as suddenly as it came, thank goodness, hot humid and lightening right now, which is a good sign of spring, I hope!
I must have Spring fever because I wish I could just take off for someplace fresh!
That is crazy weather!
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I love how bright and colorful this salad is and it looks so inviting and delicious.
This salad is a favorite and leftovers can hold up for several days unlike for most salads. Thanks for stopping by.
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