Okay, so let’s get real. The other day I was passing by a mirror and I had to pause. Around my midsection, I could definitely see the results of a little too much holiday cheer. Yup, it’s official. That dreaded holiday weight has come to visit– the fabulous five, those extra pounds that are so fun to gain and such a pain to lose.
Anybody else out there in a similar situation? Show of hands? It’s alright, you’re among friends.
Don’t get me wrong, it was totally worth it. The latkes, the moussaka, the wine, those rich, beautiful holiday desserts… wow, they were delicious. I don’t regret a single bite. But I am feeling the need to shed a few, now that the festivities are over and we’re back to reality.
So, what’s my dietary secret weapon in the battle of the post-holiday bulge?
Two words: Israeli salad.
We all know that salad is good for you. Eating those fresh leafy greens is important, but I can only chew on so much lettuce and spinach before I start feeling like a goat. But Israeli salad is different… it’s got a cold, delicious crunch that I really enjoy. Made from diced cucumbers and tomatoes, I find it much more fun to eat than a plain old leafy lettuce salad. Israeli salad has pizazz, character, attitude. It’s the hipster cousin of the salad family.
Kibbutz Hanaton, a collective farming community in the Lower Galilee, Israel
Israeli salad evolved from several similar Middle Eastern salads, including salad shirazi from Iran and coban salatsi from Turkey. When Jews began making aliyah to Israel in the late 1800’s, an Israeli version of these salads became popular on the kibbutzim (communal agricultural collectives) because of the simple, easy-to-grow ingredients– cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, peppers, and parsley. Over time, ingredients were added or taken away, but the basic components remained the same: cucumbers and tomatoes dressed in olive oil, lemon juice, and salt. The veggies are always diced; the size of the pieces varies depending on personal preference. Some cooks prefer to dice the vegetables very small, a practice that started in the Ottoman Empire. Other cooks prefer a more chunky texture. I like it both ways.
In our home, this salad is part of our regular meal rotation. My husband grew up eating it in Israel as a year-round addition to the breakfast, lunch, or dinner menu. Believe it or not, I especially enjoy Israeli salad in the morning. Try it on the side of your breakfast omelet instead of those greasy fried potatoes. Breakfast of champions! This stuff fills you up without adding inches to your waistline, and gives you a small dose of healthy fat if you dress it with a little extra virgin olive oil. The simple, fresh flavor compliments a variety of dishes, and just like a great pair of skinny jeans you can dress it up or down. Add heirloom tomatoes (in season) for sweetness, thinly sliced cabbage for fiber, jalapenos for heat, feta cheese for saltiness, chopped cilantro or parsley for a fresh herb flavor. There are so many possibilities!
In this version, I’ve added chopped fresh mint and diced dill pickles to the mix. It’s inspired by a salad I enjoyed at News Cafe in Miami a few weeks ago. They serve it with a green herb dressing, but I prefer it au naturale with a drizzle of olive oil and a simple splash of fresh lemon juice. If using Persian cucumbers (the very small ones), there is no need to peel them, though you can if you wish. Serve it over a bed of spring greens for extra healthy points– while Israeli salad doesn’t generally contain lettuce, News Cafe served it this way and I enjoyed it. The cold, salty crunch of pickles is a perfect compliment to the sweet tomatoes and refreshing cucumbers. Garnish with olives or peperocini, if desired. A sprinkling of fresh mint is inspired, giving it a flavor boost that will make you crave more.
Crave salad– really? Yeah, I said it. Trust me! And eat your veggies. They’re good for you. 🙂
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Israeli Salad with Pickles and Mint
Ingredients
- 2 pounds Persian or English cucumbers, peeled and diced
- 2 pounds ripe tomatoes, seeded and diced
- 3 large dill pickles, diced
- 1 bunch chopped fresh mint
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 fresh lemons, juiced (or more to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (or more to taste)
- 1 cup mixed spring greens (optional)
Instructions
- Combine cucumbers, tomatoes, dill pickles and mint in a salad bowl.
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice and salt. Pour over the salad mixture. Toss vegetables to coat.
- Taste the salad. Add additional salt and lemon juice to taste, if desired. Toss again before serving. Make a bed of spring greens (optional) and mound the salad on top. Serve.
Marcia says
Tori,
Sorry to repeat the question, but, instead of pickles, could I use a dill pickle relish, and if so, how much?
Our chavurah is having a pot luck and havdalah next Saturday night and I was asked to bring the salad. This will be something different and interesting.
Tori Avey says
Hi Marcia– I’ve never tried it with dill relish. Most pickle relishes I’ve tried in the past are sweet, and I would not like them in this salad– it wouldn’t mesh well with the mint and lemon, I don’t think. A truly dill relish might work, if it’s not at all sweetened. Every relish is a little different, so it would be tough to say how much would work in a salad like this. Personally, I really love the crunch and texture of roughly chopped dills. But if you want to try a dill unsweetened relish and you have one that you like, start with 1/4 cup and mix it into the salad, then taste. Add more to taste, if desired. Good luck, let me know how it goes!
aleks says
Adding green bell peppers adds bulk and nutrients without significantly changing the delicious flavor.
aleks says
Tori I assume you don’t mind me experimenting with variations 🙂
Tori Avey says
Not at all Aleks! Cooking is one big experiment, and we are all here to share what we learn. 🙂
Sandi says
I love Israeli salad. My brother in law makes it all the time. I am going to tell him about adding mint and pickles.
You have a great blog and I am going to add you to my favorites.
Have a great day!
Terri says
I have a quick question. This looks and sound delicious. A few years ago my friend’s nanny who is from Israel made the best Israeli salad I have ever tasted. She said her secret was a spice you can only purchase in Israel. Do you know what this spice is and where I can get it?
Tori Avey says
Well, I’m not sure Terri, but most Israeli spices are available in the U.S. with a little searching. She may have been referring to za’atar, which is a popular regional spice, but I’ve never seen it used on Israeli salad before. Can you ask her the name of the spice? If you let me know what it is I might be able to help you track it down…
sara says
Yum, that salad looks amazing! I am totally in love with pickles lately…can’t seem to get enough of them! Looks delicious. 🙂
aleks says
Really good and super easy! Thank you Tori!
Tori Avey says
So happy you enjoyed it Aleks! 🙂
Kim Bee says
I was all drooling over the picture, then the word pickle jumped out at me and I was all “ah snap I hate pickles”. Just felt the need to share that with you. xx
Sara Vail Miedema says
If you hate pickles, you can make the same salad subbing chickpeas for pickles. Use the same oil and lemon dressing. Just use a can of rinsed drained chickpeas in the salad with the tomatoes and cukes. sometimes I add chopped onion.
Sherrie says
First time I had this was the year after I graduated (1971) and was living at Kibbutz Magal. We had the salad at every table for lunch and dinner … YUMI !!!
Kelly says
What a gorgeous salad, this looks amazing! Anything with mint I’m sold 🙂
Virginia says
Thank you so much! This was delicious. Leftovers with eggs the next day was great too. Have to go make more now.
mary squires says
Have you ever tried Campari tomatoes? They are available where I live year round and they always taste great! They are more expensive and small in size but the big tomato taste makes them worth the price. I plan to use them in your recipe.
aleks says
Don’t you have a Jewish mother-in-law now to tell you that you’re too skinny and that you should eat more and when are the grandkids coming anyway?
Dawn says
Extremely delicious. The pickles are a nice flavor.
Marcia says
Got a question. Instead of pickles, could I use a dill pickle relish, and if so, how much?
Thanks Tori,
Marcia
Ann says
Tori, this looks perfect! I am willing to eat a salad any time of the year! …and I’m in good company – my holiday pounds keep finding me no matter how hard I try to lose them!
Amy @ What Jew Wanna Eat says
I love this recipe- it looks so light and tasty!
Ali B says
My half-Jewish boyfriend just explained to me what a shiksa is and we both immediately fell in love with your blog! Your writing is so witty and engaging and your photos and recipes are lovely. Looking forward to seeing more recipes and reading through your old ones!
balvinder ( Neetu) says
Love your blog and will be looking forward for sharing. The salad invited me to your blog.
Elaine says
This salad sounds just like one I grew up eating. I have different variations that I like, I am going to try yours. I don’t know where the salad came from in my family since I have no Middle Eastern heritage.
I love this blog. I love learning new recipes and trying them out. Keep up the good work. Happy New Year to you and yours.
Geez Louise! says
beautiful styling… love that last close up shot- looks incredibly fresh and delicious…