Summertime brings plenty of gatherings and a great opportunity to share favorite dishes. Family picnics at the beach or lakeside, neighborhood barbecues, and potluck suppers abound. If you're struggling with what to take along, don't fret--we have some simple solutions for you!
One easy item to take and share is pasta salad. Pasta shapes such as bowties (farfalle), twists like gemelli and rotini work well for tossing and coating with the "dressing" and mixing in large chunks of veggies or fruits. Long pasta such as fettuccini or spaghetti are best when you don't have so many pieces to mix in as it can be more difficult to get the ingredients well-blended.
An Italian version of a pasta salad like our Italian Pasta Salad is so simple to make. Starting with a pasta shape, and adding in summer's best tomatoes and zucchini and some savory components, this salad is a winner. Loaded with fat free plain yogurt and some parmesan cheese for flavor, just one serving gives you 25% of the daily value for calcium--a nutrient many of us may be lacking. Check out the yummy-looking photos below.
Italian Pasta Salad Fruit and Pasta Salad
Another option is pasta salad that incorporates fresh fruits and a slightly sweeter flavor profile. Try our Fruit and Pasta Salad (photo above) with fresh strawberries, summer peaches and plums. This dish boasts plenty of vitamin C coming from all the wonderful fruits it contains. If your family isn't keen on one of the ingredients--just swap it out for another one that's better loved and you have a dish no one can pass up! Enjoy your summer get-togethers and celebrate stress-free!
