Pasta el’Moundo Salad: A Story

Let’s face it. When you’re invited to one of my dinner parties, you are sure to be greeted with more food than you can imagine. Unless your jaw was wired shut and you drank meals through a straw, there is no way you would leave my dinner table hungry. Even then, I would pull out my handy blender to accommodate such a special request. How about a steak and potato smoothie…anyone…anyone at all?

Several of my friends suggested having a gathering in my backyard for great conversation, food and beverages this holiday weekend. My friend Patrick asked if he could bring one of his favorite pasta salads to share with the group. Of course, it would be a welcomed chance to be inspired by someone else’s cooking for a change. I knew he wouldn’t disappoint.

Patrick arrived with enthusiasm, two bottles of wine and a gigantic bucket in tow. When I say “gigantic”…I mean it was so large it required two hands to carry. The container was adorned with my favorite shade of green, had two handles for support and was filled to the brim with salad. Since there were only going to be five people at this party, we couldn’t help but laugh at the pasta proportions that sat before us. The bucket was surrounded by the already massive spread of food I prepared.

With each bite emerged a new ingredient and flavor. It was a perfectly balanced side dish that felt like a meal all by itself. Sure, there was enough leftover salad to fill four large, one medium and one small Glad container. Plus, I expect to be eating it with every meal for the next couple of weeks. But there is something wonderfully satisfying knowing this recipe was made with the goal of sharing with friends.

Pasta el’Moundo Salad

There’s no real recipe for this pasta salad. All I can tell you is it was amazing and the ingredients turned into a ton of salad. Here is a list of items I found in the salad while having it for breakfast, lunch, mid-day snack and dinner the next day. Who knows, maybe it will inspire you to make your own el’Moundo of Salad.

Pasta, cucumbers, shredded carrots, tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, parsley, sugar snap peas, onions, artichokes, orange bell peppers, black olives, green olives, balsamic vinegar, olive oil and many more.

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