Vibrant Vegan Summer | Cucumber Penne Pasta Salad

Dive into the vibrant flavors of summer with my refreshing Cucumber Penne Pasta Salad. Perfect for a vegan diet, this delightful dish combines the crispness of cucumbers with the zesty tang of apple cider vinegar and light soy sauce, creating a symphony of taste and texture. The salad is a beautiful medley of finely chopped spring onions, grated garlic, and fresh parsley, all tossed with perfectly cooked penne pasta. Infused with aromatic olive oil, subtly spiced with red chili, garlic and spring onion, garnished with crispy spring onion heads, this dish is as visually appealing as it is delicious. Ideal for a light lunch, a picnic, or a side dish at a summer barbecue, I hope this cucumber penne pasta salad is sure to impress with its unique blend of flavors and refreshing simplicity. Enjoy the essence of summer in every bite!

Ingredients

• 1 cucumber, deseeded and chopped
• 2 spring onions, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, grated
• 1 tsp cider vinegar
• 1 tsp light soy sauce
• 140g penne pasta, cooked
• Parsley, finely chopped

➡️For the dressing:

• 3 tsp olive oil
• 1 red chili
• Spring onion heads (white part)
• 2 garlic cloves
• Ground salt
• Ground black pepper

Instructions

1. Prepare the Cucumber Salad:

• In a bowl, mix the chopped cucumber, spring onions, grated garlic, cider vinegar, and light soy sauce.
• Season with ground salt and black pepper. – Cover with cling film and refrigerate for later use.

2. Cook the Penne Pasta:

• Cook the penne pasta according to package instructions. – Drain the water and set the pasta aside.

3. Infuse the Olive Oil:

• In a frying pan, add the white parts of the spring onions, 2 garlic cloves, and the red chili.
• Add the olive oil and fry slowly until fragrant.
• Remove the aromatics from the pan and set them aside.

4. Combine Pasta with Infused Oil:

• Add the cooked penne pasta to the frying pan with the infused olive oil.
• Stir well and add the finely chopped parsley.
• Season with ground salt and black pepper.

5. Mix in Cucumber Salad:

• Pour the chilled cucumber salad into the frying pan with the pasta.
• Mix everything well.

6. Serve:

• Serve the pasta salad in a bowl. – Garnish with the fried spring onion heads.

Enjoy your refreshing vegan summer cucumber penne pasta salad!