Cucumber Celery Olive Odyssey Salad: A Vibrant and Flavorful Mediterranean-Inspired Dish

This Cucumber Celery Olive Odyssey Salad combines the sweetness of dates, the salty taste of olives, and the sharpness of fresh veggies for a light and colourful meal. This salad is full of Mediterranean flavours from the harissa and fresh herbs, and it’s light enough to be a delicious main meal or a lovely side dish. Serve this salad during a summer picnic or have it for a nutritious lunch; the mix of textures and flavours in it make every mouthful enjoyable.

Ingredients

1. ¼ cup + 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
2. 1 can (15.5 oz.) garbanzo beans, draine
3. 3 teaspoons dry harissa spice
4. 2 ½ cups mini cucumbers, slice
5. 2 ½ cups celery, sliced
6. 1 cup carrots, sliced into thin rounds (use multi-colored heirloom carrots for added vibrancy
7. ½ cup red onions, sliced into thin 2-inch piece
8. ½ cup sliced green olives stuffed with pimento
9. ½ cup Dole Sunshine dates, dice
10. 3 green onions, including greens, sliced
11. ¼ cup radishes, thinly sliced (optional)
12. 3 tablespoons fresh lemon thyme leaves
13. ½ cup fresh basil, packed and chopped
14. 1 ½ teaspoons sea salt
15. 1 ½ teaspoons coarse ground pepper
16. Juice of 2 medium lemons

Guidelines:

1. Get the garbanzo beans ready by: Three tablespoons of olive oil should be heated over medium heat in a small pan. Stir in the harissa spice and the drained garbanzo beans. Simmer the beans for about 5-7 minutes, stirring now and again, or until they are crispy and gently toasted.
2. Get the veggies ready: Sliced tiny cucumbers, celery, carrots, red onions, green olives, dates, and green onions should all be combined in a big mixing dish. provide the thinly sliced radishes, if using, to provide some more colour and crunch.
   Add Fresh Herbs: Evenly distribute the chopped basil and fresh lemon thyme leaves across the salad by gently folding them in.
3. To season the salad, combine the remaining ¼ cup olive oil, lemon juice, sea salt, and coarsely ground pepper in a small dish. Drizzle the vegetable combination with the dressing, tossing to evenly coat all the ingredients.
4. Add the Garbanzo Beans: After the garbanzo beans cool, add them to the salad and stir them in carefully so as not to crush them.
5. Chill and Serve: Before serving, let the salad sit in the fridge for at least half an hour to bring out the greatest flavour. If preferred, top the salad with more fresh herbs and serve it chilled.

In summary

The Cucumber Celery Olive Odyssey Salad is a colourful and delicious celebration of fresh ingredients. This salad is a unique and delectable meal that is high in nutrients and flavour thanks to the crisp veggies, sweet dates, and savoury olives. This Mediterranean-inspired salad is ideal for any occasion, with a pleasing combination of flavours and textures that will not disappoint. Savour the flavour of the Mediterranean with each mouthful of this meal, which can be served as a light main course or a cool side dish!