Arti-Tom Chick-Pasta Salad Recipe

This recipe is a delightful mix of fresh, cooked, and marinated flavours. It’s delicious both hot and cold. I’ve also made it with quinoa instead of pasta, and it was equally amazing. Definitely a family favourite and a great dish to take leftovers for work lunches.

Ingredients:

1 box gluten free Barilla rotini or macaroni
1 medium zucchini, sliced in thin rounds
1 young eggplant, sliced in thin rounds
1 red pepper, diced
1 medium leek or red onion, sliced in half rounds
1 yam, sliced in small bite-size pieces
Freeze dried basil and roasted garlic powder to taste
olive oil

olive oil
balsamic vinegar, to taste
salt, pepper, fresh crushed garlic, fresh basil, red pepper flakes, to taste
avocado (if in season)
feta cheese, crumbled

½ cup julienned sundried tomatoes, packed in oil and herbs
1 cup marinated jarred artichoke hearts, drained and quartered
1/4 cup green or black olives, pitted
1/4 cup pickled red onion
1 can drained chickpeas

Instructions:

1. Cook pasta according to instructions on the box. Drain and set aside in a large bowl.
2. Roast a single layer of thinly sliced rounds of zucchini, eggplant, leek, yam, red pepper, and sliced half rounds of red onion at 425 degrees F with a generous drizzle of olive oil, seasoned with Italian seasoning or basil and red pepper flakes until onions are caramelized and veggies are browned. Cook the yams on a separate baking sheet as they take longer than the other veggies. Be sure to flip veggies half way through so they brown on both sides. Takes 20-30 minutes.
3. Prep the remaining ingredients if necessary.
4. Add roasted veggies, sundried tomatoes, artichoke hearts, olives, chickpeas, and pickled red onion to the pasta and toss lightly. Drizzle with balsamic vinegar and add seasonings, taste, and adjust to personal preferences. Add a drizzle of olive oil if too dry (the oil in the sundried tomatoes is usually sufficient).
5. Serve warm or chilled. Garnish with fresh basil, crumbled feta (leave out or use a vegan substitute to make dairy-free), and sliced avocado. Enjoy!
6. Refrigerate leftovers. Reheats well, or nice cold too.