Preparing a Santorini Salad

Santorini salad, inspired by the flavors of the beautiful Greek island, is a variation of the traditional Greek salad that incorporates its own unique ingredients. I think caper flowers and leaves with a Cretan sour cheese (xinomizithra) rather than feta makes for an interesting and exciting variation. Santorini beach restaurants in the beach village of Kamari use the sour cheese extensively in preference.

serves 4 

Ingredients

• 4 ripe tomatoes or 16 cherry tomatoes
• 1 English cucumber
• 1 small red onion
• 1 green bell pepper
• 1 red bell pepper
• 100 grams of feta cheese or better still some Cretan sour cheese.
• 12 Kalamata olives
• 2 tablespoons capers
• 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and pepper (to taste)
• Fresh parsley (for garnish)
• a few caper flowers and caper leaves if they are in season.
• a few croutons or rusks as they are called in Greek translations of the salad.

Preparation

1. Prepare the Vegetables: Start by washing the tomatoes, cucumber, bell peppers, and parsley under running water. Slice the tomatoes into wedges or chunks and cut the cucumber, bell peppers, and red onion into thin slices. Arrange the sliced vegetables on a large serving platter.
2. Add Feta Cheese: Crumble the feta cheese into small chunks and sprinkle it over the sliced vegetables.
3. Add Olives and Capers: Scatter the Kalamata olives and capers over the salad. The olives provide a briny flavor, while the capers add a tangy kick.
4. Dress the Salad: Drizzle the extra virgin olive oil and red wine vinegar over the salad. Sprinkle the dried oregano, salt, and pepper to season. The olive oil and vinegar create a light and tangy dressing that complements the salad’s flavors.
5. Toss and Garnish: Gently toss the ingredients together using salad servers, ensuring that the vegetables and cheese are coated with the dressing. Sprinkle some fresh parsley leaves on top for a pop of freshness and color
6. If you have caper flowers and leaves, add at this point to garnish.
7. Serve: Once the salad is well mixed and dressed, it’s ready to be served. Transfer the Santorini salad to individual plates or bowls and present it to your guests. It can be served as a refreshing appetizer or as a light main course.

Feel free to adjust the ingredient quantities and seasoning according to your preferences. The Santorini salad offers a delightful blend of flavors and textures, capturing the essence of the Mediterranean cuisine.