Blueberry Pasta Salad

Name: Blueberry Pasta Salad
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 10 servings
Ingredients: 1 pound uncooked bow tie pasta; 1 medium cucumber, seeded, quartered and diced; 1 medium red onion, chopped into 1/4-in. pieces; 1 medium sweet yellow pepper, chopped into 1/4-in. pieces; 6 ounces crumbled feta cheese; 2 cups fresh blueberries, divided; 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil; 1/3 cup champagne vinegar; 3 tablespoons maple syrup; 1 tablespoon lemon juice; 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon pepper; 8 ounces smoked salmon fillets, flaked; 1 tablespoon snipped fresh dill; 1 tablespoon minced fresh basil; 1 cup sliced almonds

Total Time Prep: 20 min. Cook: 15 min. + chilling

Yield 10 servings

Test Kitchen Approved

Blueberry pasta salad might sound odd, but don't knock it until you've tried it! This flavorful pasta salad features bowtie pasta, fresh herbs and vegetables, feta cheese and smoked salmon—all brought together with a sweet and tangy blueberry vinaigrette.

Ingredients

1 pound uncooked bow tie pasta
1 medium cucumber, seeded, quartered and diced
1 medium red onion, chopped into 1/4-in. pieces
1 medium sweet yellow pepper, chopped into 1/4-in. pieces
6 ounces crumbled feta cheese
2 cups fresh blueberries, divided
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/3 cup champagne vinegar
3 tablespoons maple syrup
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
8 ounces smoked salmon fillets, flaked
1 tablespoon snipped fresh dill
1 tablespoon minced fresh basil
1 cup sliced almonds

Directions

Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain; rinse with cold water. Transfer to a large bowl. Add cucumber, red onion, yellow pepper and crumbled feta cheese; set aside.
Using a high-powered blender or immersion blender, puree 1 cup blueberries, olive oil, vinegar, maple syrup, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt and pepper until smooth.
Pour 1 cup of the blueberry vinaigrette over the pasta mixture; toss to coat. Reserve remaining vinaigrette. Gently fold in smoked salmon, dill, basil and remaining 1 cup fresh blueberries. Cover; refrigerate until ready to serve.
Before serving, toss with remaining vinaigrette and sliced almonds.

Nutrition Facts

1 serving: 424 calories, 20g fat (4g saturated fat), 14mg cholesterol, 405mg sodium, 47g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 5g fiber), 16g protein.

The blueberry pasta salad is a delicious combination of some of my favorite Northwoods flavors, including fresh blueberries, maple syrup and smoked salmon. —Susan Bronson, Rhinelander, Wisconsin

Recipe Creator