Fusilli Pasta Salad Recipes

GRILLED MEATBALL AND FUSILLI PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• For the iced tea: Pour 4 cups boiling water over teabags in a heatproof pitcher and allow to brew, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove teabags and add sweetener to taste. Stir in 6 cups ice cubes until melted. Keep refrigerated until ready to use. Makes two quarts. For the pasta salad: Toss the tomatoes, oil, vinegar, crushed red pepper, half the garlic and 1 teaspoon salt in a large bowl; let sit at room temperature.
• Stir together the breadcrumbs, milk, onion, oregano, egg and remaining garlic in a large bowl; let sit for 5 minutes so the breadcrumbs absorb the milk.
• Brush a baking sheet with oil and set aside. Shave half the Pecorino into long, thin strips with a vegetable peeler; set aside. Finely grate the remaining Pecorino and add to the breadcrumb mixture. Add the ground pork and mix everything with your hands until just combined. Roll level teaspoons of the pork mixture into about 30 small meatballs, placing them on the oiled baking sheet as you form them. Thread 5 meatballs onto each skewer. Freeze the skewers to firm up the meatballs (and help keep them from sticking to the grill), about 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, and prepare a grill or large grill pan for cooking over medium-high heat.
• Add the fusilli to the boiling water and cook until al dente, about 9 minutes. Strain the pasta well, add to the bowl with the tomato mixture and stir to combine; set aside.
• Brush the skewers all over with oil. Lightly oil the grill grates. Grill the skewers, rotating as needed to ensure even cooking, until the meatballs are charred in spots on all sides and cooked through, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove the meatballs from the skewers, and add to the pasta, along with the shaved Pecorino, mozzarella and basil. Add salt if needed. Serve immediately or at room temperature. Drizzle with additional oil before serving.

MEDITERRANEAN FUSILLI PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Cook the pasta according to directions on the packet.
• Drain and let cool.
• Mix pasta with the onion, tomato, celery, basil, olives and capers.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the mustard, sugar and vinegar.
• Gradually beat in the oil until an emulsion forms.
• Pour this vinaigrette over the pasta mixture and season with salt and pepper.
• Chill the salad in the refrigerator.
• When it is cold, mix in the mozzarella.

PASTA SALAD WITH TOMATOES, CUCUMBERS AND GRILLED GREEN ONION-CRUSHED OLIVE VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Preheat a grill to high.
• Toss the scallions in 2 tablespoons of the olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill the scallions until the bulbs are tender and the greens are well charred, 6 to 8 minutes, turning every couple of minutes. Set aside to cool. When the scallions are cooled, chop them finely.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for the pasta. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, about 2 minutes less than the package instructions.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the vinegar and mustard. Season with salt and pepper. Whisk in the remaining 1/3 cup olive oil. Add the scallions and toss to coat.
• When the pasta is finished cooking, drain and add to the vinaigrette. Add the olives, tomatoes, red onion, provolone, dill, parsley and arugula. Toss to combine.

FUSILLI PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• In small saucepan, heat the wine over medium heat just till warm. Add raisins and remove from heat. Let stand 15-30 minutes to plump; drain reserving wine. Set both aside.
• Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain, rinse under cold water; drain again.
• In large serving bowl, toss together cooled, pasta, raisins and olives.
• In jar, combine reserved wine, olive oil, lemon juice, basil, shallots, mustard, salt and pepper. Cover and shake well to mix. Pour over pasta, toss to coat. Cover and chill salad for 3-24 hours. Before serving add nuts and toss.