Mediterranean Pasta Salad

Total Time: 25 mins Preparation Time: 25 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 12
• 1/2 lb penne pasta
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 small red pepper, julienne strips
• 3 ounces pepperoni, cut into julienne strips
• 1 -2 tomato, chopped
• 1 cup zucchini, coarsely grated
• 3/4 lb provolone cheese (cubed, grated or chopped, or cheddar cheese)
• 14 ounces artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
• 1/2 cup kalamata olive, pitted
• 1/2 cup red onion, chopped
• 1/2 cup parsley, chopped
• 4 -6 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1 large garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
• black pepper, to taste

Recipe

• 1 in a large pot, cook noodles. rinse under cold water and drain well.
• 2 combine pepper, pepperoni, tomato, zucchini, cheese, artichoke hearts, parsley, olives and onion; toss lightly to mix.
• 3 vinaigrette: in a food processor, combine all the ingredients, adding peper to taste; mix tohroughly. pour over salad and toss.
• 4 chill for at least 3 hours. taste and adjust seasoning, if necessary by adding a little more olive oil and baslamic vinegar.