Description
A bold, briny, and deeply satisfying Italian-inspired salad featuring crisp blanched cauliflower, Kalamata and green olives, capers, cherry tomatoes, and fresh herbs — all tossed in a punchy red wine vinegar and lemon dressing. Naturally vegan, gluten-free, and remarkable the next day. Ready in 20 minutes and perfect for potlucks, meal prep, and summer entertaining.
Ingredients
- 1 medium head cauliflower (about 4 cups florets), cut into uniform bite-sized pieces
- ½ cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
- ¼ cup green olives, pitted and halved
- 2 tbsp capers, drained and rinsed
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ¼ cup red onion, thinly sliced
- ¼ cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh basil leaves, torn (optional)
- SICILIAN DRESSING:
- 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil. Add cauliflower florets and blanch exactly 2–3 minutes — florets should soften slightly but stay firm and white, not gray or mushy. Drain immediately and rinse under very cold running water to stop all cooking, or plunge into an ice bath. Let drain completely and pat dry with paper towels.
2. Whisk olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, dried oregano, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes together in a small bowl until the dressing emulsifies into a smooth, slightly thick consistency. Taste and adjust — more vinegar for punch, more olive oil for richness, more oregano for depth.
3. Place thinly sliced red onion in a small bowl of cold water. Soak 5 minutes to remove harsh raw bite while keeping the color and mild flavor. Drain and pat dry.
4. Add blanched and fully dried cauliflower to a large mixing bowl. Add both olive varieties, rinsed capers, halved cherry tomatoes, drained red onion, chopped parsley, and torn basil. Pour the dressing over everything and toss thoroughly until every floret and every olive glistens.
5. Let the salad rest at room temperature 10–15 minutes minimum before serving — this allows the cauliflower to absorb the dressing and the flavors to fully merge. Serve at room temperature or slightly chilled, garnished with extra parsley and a drizzle of good extra-virgin olive oil.
Notes
ICE BATH IS ESSENTIAL: Do not skip the cold water rinse after blanching. Warm cauliflower keeps cooking and turns gray and mushy. The ice bath locks in bright white color and crisp-tender texture.
BLANCH ONLY 2–3 MINUTES: This is the maximum. Over-blanched cauliflower turns gray, soft, and unappetizing — exactly what you do not want in a salad built on texture.
RINSE THE CAPERS: Brine-packed capers carry a heavy salt load. Always rinse before using or the whole salad tastes overwhelmingly salty.
USE GOOD OLIVE OIL: The dressing is nearly all olive oil, vinegar, and seasonings. A weak, flat oil produces a flat, forgettable dressing. Use the best extra-virgin you own.
BETTER THE NEXT DAY: Make this salad up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerate. The cauliflower absorbs the dressing overnight and the flavors deepen significantly. Bring to room temperature before serving and add a fresh drizzle of olive oil.
AGRODOLCE VARIATION: Add 2 tbsp golden raisins and 2 tbsp toasted pine nuts for a classic Sicilian sweet-sour twist that adds beautiful complexity.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Salad, Side Dish, Appetizer
- Method: Blanching, No-Cook
- Cuisine: Italian, Sicilian, Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1½ cups
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 0mg