| Prep: 15 mins | Cook: 0 mins | Difficulty: Easy | Serves: 6 |
One of my absolute favorites is the Tropea Onion and Tomato Salad, an elegantly simple and vibrantly flavored dish that boasts of Mediterranean freshness. This recipe embodies my deep respect for simple, quality ingredients and the harmony they create when combined thoughtfully. Just like the seamless blending of my Pacific Northwest upbringing and Japanese heritage in my culinary style, the pairing of Tropea onions and ripe tomatoes in this salad brings to life their contrasting yet complementary flavors.
A Steward of Health
This recipe is not just a delight for the taste buds but is a steward of health as well. Both Tropea onions and tomatoes are packed with potent antioxidants, aiding in combating harmful free radicals in the body. The tomatoes are rich in lycopene, a powerful antioxidant, while the onions, along with their sweet and delicate flavor, are known for their quercetin content. Combined with high-quality extra virgin olive oil, a staple in the Mediterranean diet lauded for its heart health benefits, this salad becomes a simple yet potent dish for a balanced diet.
Pairing Harmony
Appreciating the Tropea Onion and Tomato Salad does not stop at devouring it solo. Its versatility makes it a great side dish to a whole array of mains. It pairs wonderfully with grilled fish or chicken. Its sweet and tart flavor profile cuts through the richness of the protein, balancing the taste and texture of the meal. Similar salads like the Panzanella from Tuscany or the Greek Horiatiki Salad mirror the vibrancy of this salad. Whether served alongside a grilled salmon with tangy cucumber sauce, or simply enjoyed with a fresh baguette and a glass of crisp white wine, every bite of this salad is a celebration of freshness and nature’s goodness.
Equally at home on a weeknight dinner table or a celebratory feast, the Tropea Onion and Tomato Salad is a testament to my belief in using simple, high-quality ingredients to evoke deep, satisfying flavors. Here, I invite you to enjoy the beautiful simplicity of this recipe as much as I do!
What You’ll Need
- 3 large Tropea onions
- 6 ripe tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon of red wine vinegar
- Fresh basil leaves
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Method
Step One
Firstly, peel the Tropea onions and slice them into thin rings. Place these onion rings into a bowl of cold water and let them sit for about 30 minutes to reduce their raw bite and make them more palatable.
Step Two
While the onions are soaking, start preparing the tomatoes. Rinify them under cool water, then slice them into pieces that are roughly equal in size to the onion rings. Set them aside for now.
Step Three
Next, drain the onions and pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel. The onions should now be crisp and slightly milder in flavour.
Step Four
In a large bowl, combine the soaked and drained Tropea onions with the sliced tomatoes. Then, drizzle the 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil and 1 tablespoon of red wine vinegar over the top.
Step Five
Toss the salad carefully to ensure that the olive oil and vinegar are evenly distributed throughout the onion and tomato pieces, effectively mixing all the ingredients.
Step Six
Then, pick a handful of fresh basil leaves, slightly tear them with your hands and add to the salad. It’s fine to leave them large as they will add bursts of flavour when bitten into.
Step Seven
Finally, season to taste with salt and pepper, and give the salad one final toss to mix everything together. The Tropea Onion and Tomato Salad is now ready to be served and enjoyed.
