Fattoush (Crunchy Pita Salad with Sumac Dressing)
Local name: فتوش
In short: A crisp salad of tomato, cucumber, radish and herbs tossed with toasted pita and a lemony sumac dressing, a fixture of Ramadan tables. It takes about 28 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 8 min
- Total
- 28 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 335 kcal
Fattoush turns day-old flatbread into something crunchy and bright. Pita is torn, baked until crisp, then tossed with juicy tomatoes, cucumbers, radishes, romaine, mint and parsley in a lemony dressing made with sumac. The dressing is sharp, which is why the salad cuts so well through rich dishes such as mansaf and fills the table at Ramadan iftar. Add the bread at the last moment so it stays crunchy.
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 200°C (400°F). Split each pita into two thin rounds and tear into bite-size pieces. Toss with 2 tbsp olive oil and a pinch of salt on a baking tray.
- Bake for 6 to 8 minutes, turning once, until golden and crisp. Cool completely, because the pieces crisp further as they cool.
- Shake or whisk the dressing ingredients in a jar until blended. Taste it. It should be quite sharp, because the vegetables soften it.
- Combine the lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, radishes, green onions, mint and parsley in a large bowl.
- Pour the dressing over the vegetables and toss well. Fold in the toasted pita just before serving, then sprinkle with a little more sumac.
Tips
- Toss half the pita with the salad a few minutes before serving so it softens slightly, and fold in the rest at the table for crunch.
- Chop the vegetables and shake the dressing up to 4 hours ahead and keep them separate in the fridge. Toss everything together only when you are ready to eat.
Questions and answers
What does fattoush taste like?
Fresh, crunchy and sour. Lemon juice, sumac and pomegranate molasses give a bright, fruity sharpness, balanced by cool vegetables, herbs and olive oil.
Can I fry the pita instead of baking it?
Yes. Fry torn pita in 2 cm (3/4 inch) of hot oil for 1 to 2 minutes until golden, then drain on paper towels. Baking uses less oil and gives a lighter crunch.
What if I cannot find sumac?
Sumac gives fattoush its signature flavor, so it is worth finding. In a pinch, add the zest of 1 lemon and an extra spoonful of lemon juice, which tastes close but less fruity.
How long does it take to make Fattoush (Crunchy Pita Salad with Sumac Dressing)?
About 28 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 8 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Fattoush (Crunchy Pita Salad with Sumac Dressing)?
About 335 kcal per serving, with 5 g of protein, 33 g of carbohydrates and 20 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 335 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 5 g |
| Carbohydrates | 33 g |
| Fat | 20 g |
| Fiber | 6 g |
| Sugar | 9 g |
| Sodium | 590 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
