Loading ...10 Arab Salads You Can't Miss This Summer
BY: Nisreen Eadeh/Contributing Writer
Arab food is filled with copious salads, small plates, and healthy toppings to heavy dishes. Using the vegetables and herbs native to the lands of our ancestors, Arab Americans have maintained salad traditions in daily life. Along the way, Arabs everywhere have developed new approaches to putting vegetables on the kitchen table.
Since it’s summer, salads are the perfect choice of food to beat the heat, stay in shape, and use every part of your home garden. Here are 10 of the best Arab summer salads to try before the end of the season!
1. Khiyar wa Laban (Cucumber and Yogurt Salad)
This refreshing salad is a classic in the Arab world and with Arab Americans alike. It’s great on its own or placed on top of foods like quinoa, rice, and even burgers! All that’s needed to make the salad is cucumbers, plain yogurt, garlic, crushed dry mint, and salt.
2. Salata Foul Mudammas (Fava Bean Salad)
Hot foul mudammas is a breakfast mazza favorite, but the fava beans can be used to make a hearty salad, too! Simply rinse the beans and place them in a bowl with chopped tomatoes, onions, parsley, lemon juice, olive oil, pepper and salt. Add chickpeas to the salad for extra protein!
3. Fattoush
No list about Arab salads would be complete without fattoush – the ultimate mixture of Arab vegetables and seasoning. For fattoush, mix together lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, and olives with lemon juice, olive oil, and sumac. Add small pieces of crispy, toasted Arabic bread, and mix into the salad to give it the signature fattoush look and taste.
4. Salata Bateekh (Watermelon Salad)
We can’t forget fruit as a player in the salad game! Watermelon paired with Nabulsi cheese (a salty cheese made of goat and sheep’s milk) and a little bit of basil makes for a sweet and savory salad. Substitutions can be made with feta cheese or fresh mint, too.
5. Malfoof (Cabbage Salad)
Get creative with this healthy take on coleslaw! All you need to do is chop a head of cabbage and add olive oil, lemon juice, and salt to make this salad. After that, you can add whatever you like: tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, radishes, beets, carrots, etc.
6. Salata Lubbee (Green bean salad)
Fresh green beans have an amazing texture that can’t be missed this summer. Enjoy the lighty boiled or steamed vegetable with any combination of spices and oil, such as za’atar, sumac, or garlic.
7. Tabbouli
Another classic Arab salad that can’t be forgotten is tabbouli. This dish is more time consuming than the rest, but well worth the wait! Combine picked finely chopped parsley with tomatoes, scallions, and soaked and squeezed burghul. Combine this with lemon juice, olive oil, and salt. Serve tabbouli on top of individual beds of romaine lettuce, which can be used a spoon.
8. Eggplant salad
You’ve heard of baba ghanoush, but eggplant can be used to make salad, too, in this new trend! Split the eggplant open and roast it in the oven. After taking it out and letting it cool down, cut the eggplant into small pieces, then mash it into a semi-chunky dip. Blend in chopped tomato and garlic, then garnish with cilantro on top.
9. Cauliflower Salad with Tahini
Much like the green bean salad, this cauliflower salad is a great way to put a variety of vegetables on the table this summer. Cut up the lightly boiled or steamed cauliflower, put into a mixing bowl, and stir in tahini to taste. Place cilantro or parsley on top to give it some color!
10. Salata Arabiyyeh (Arab Salad)
The traditional Arab salad is delicious year round and complements every dish. Dice tomatoes, cucumbers, and optional radishes and onions to make this salad, then mix in garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, sumac, and salt. Arab salad goes great on top of heavy dishes like maqloubeh, mujaddarah, and couscous.