Name: Italian Fresh Tomato Cucumber Salad
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 or 2 seedless cucumbers( or use regular garden cucumbers scraping the seeds inside the middles out of it and then peeling off just some of the skin); 4 fresh beefsteak, heirloom, or vine ripe tomatoes cubed (plums have more pulp and less juice however I like those in a pinch also); 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil; 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes; 4 or 5 large fresh basil leaves; 1 teaspoon freshly chopped or dried oregano; 1 tablespoon fresh minced Italian parsley; 2 teaspoons fresh minced garlic; salt and freshly cracked pepper to taste usually 1/2 teaspoon of each; 2 or 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar or aged balsamic vinegar; Additions: chopped fresh celery, artichoke hearts, hearts of palm, chickpea drained, provolone sharp chunks, black crinkled olives; Optional: mint leaves and fresh rosemary sprigs can be added also for flavor if you like.; Garnish: large shreds of freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese

This fresh Italian tomato salad (Insalata di Pomodori) with cucumbers is a simple, easy peasant dish grandma made from garden-fresh off-the-vine tomatoes in the summertime.

Back in the 1950s and 60s when I grew up, money was tight, dad had a huge garden and we had tomato salad just about every day all summer long for lunch or dinner.

The salad is absolutely bursting with fresh flavors and makes a fantastic lunch dipping hard-crusted Italian bread into the marvelous dressing grandma would make.

You'll love the combination of fresh tomatoes and aromatic herbs and when we had cucumbers or other vegetables like peppers in season, those would go into this bowl of freshly made tomato salad also.

I am a fan of crispy and fresh vegetables and not marinated to the point of them getting soggy, so when we make this it's just for one or two people and eaten the same day.

Dad grew his own fresh herbs also, so nothing in here was store-bought, however, if you're not fortunate to have your own garden, get everything from a farmers market to get the true Italian fresh salad for the best results.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention this isn't really a recipe for anything other than the fantastic Italian dressing on the salad.

How we made simple vegetables taste like a banquet of flavors and a very economical way to feed many when struggling to make ends meet.

If you need a delicious Artisan Bread Recipe this is perfect for our salad dressing for dipping.

Tomato salad is on many Italian menus and can be quite costly as just an appetizer, so this easy recipe will be something to keep in your collection for a terrific side dish with any meal.

tomato and cucumber salad with mozzarella and Italian bread to dip in the olive oil

Step By Step

cut the tomatoes and cucumbers and additions we suggest and add to a salad bowl gather all the ingredients for the salad dressing add to a mason jar and shake for several minutes drizzle over the salad and enjoy!

Seriously what can be easier than this, served with hard crusty Italian bread to dip in the juice will be one of the best salads you've ever eaten.

Plus it's healthy and pleasing to the waistline not to mention refreshing all summer long!

My plants are just starting to bloom.

Additions to Add

chopped fresh celery
artichoke hearts
hearts of palm
chickpea drained
provolone sharp chunks
black crinkled olives
any kinds of peppers
heirloom, beefsteak, vine ripe or plum tomatoes
sharp provolone,cubed mozzarella
any kind of herbs rosemary mint etc.

Ingredients for the dressing you will need

seedless cucumbers fresh beefsteak, heirloom, or vine ripe tomatoes cubed (plums have more pulp and less juice however I like those in a pinch also)
extra virgin olive oil
red pepper flakes
fresh basil leaves
freshly chopped or dried oregano
fresh minced Italian parsley
fresh minced garlic
salt and freshly cracked pepper to taste

Fresh Summer Salads We Like

Tortellini Salad

Insalata Caprese

Avocado Chickenpea Feta Salad

Panzanella Salad