Delicious Blueberry Corn Salad with Pasta
The Blueberry Corn salad combines the freshness of greens with the heartiness of pasta to create a fulfilling and flavorful meal. This salad is not your average pasta salad but serves as a perfect main dish or side when paired with protein. The combination of fresh charred corn and blueberries makes it ideal for late-summer gatherings. The addition of shaved parmesan and a honey-basil vinaigrette takes the flavors to a whole new level.
Ingredient and Equipment Notes
- Pasta – You can use orzo or orecchiette, which is a pasta shaped like little ears. Mini bowtie pasta also works well.
- Greens – Baby arugula adds a lot of flavor and doesn’t wilt easily. You can also use a mix of baby arugula and spinach.
- Corn – Fresh corn on the cob is best, but you can also use frozen fresh corn if needed.
- Blueberries – While blueberries are the star of this recipe, you can also use diced nectarines, peaches, or raspberries.
- English Cucumber – Use an English cucumber to save time. No need to peel or deseed it.
- Parmesan – Look for shaved parmesan, which adds both flavor and texture. You can also shave your own off a wedge of fresh parmesan using a vegetable peeler.
- Seeds – Pumpkin or sunflower seeds both work well in this salad.
Instructions
The recipe includes detailed instructions on how to mix the Honey Basil Vinaigrette and how to char the corn. Once those steps are done, simply combine all the ingredients and toss them together.
This Blueberry Corn salad is not only a delicious side dish but also makes a great main dish when paired with grilled chicken or steak. Drizzle some extra vinaigrette over the meat for a fantastic pairing.
What Pasta should I use?
While the recipe originally calls for orzo, orecchiette is the author’s favorite because of its shape. It grabs onto each kernel of corn or blueberry, creating the perfect bite. However, if you can’t find orecchiette, orzo or mini bowtie pasta will work just as well. The key is to use a pasta size that matches the other ingredients.
Make it a Meal
For a complete summer meal, pair this salad with the following options:
- Grilled chicken
- Grilled steak
