Salata Tounsia (Tunisian Chopped Salad)
Local name: سلاطة تونسية
In short: Finely diced tomato, cucumber, green pepper and onion with mint, lemon and olive oil, the fresh chopped salad on Tunisian tables all summer. It takes about 20 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 0 min
- Total
- 20 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 145 kcal
Tunisians dice their salad very small, so every spoonful tastes of everything at once. Tomato, cucumber, green pepper and onion are chopped to the size of a pea, tossed with lemon juice, olive oil and a little dried mint, and eaten with grilled fish, brik or couscous. Many cooks add a pinch of harissa or a few capers. Make it just before serving so the vegetables stay crisp.
Instructions
- Dice the tomatoes, cucumber, pepper, onion and radishes into 5 mm (1/4 in) cubes, discarding the tomato seeds.
- Put the diced tomato and cucumber in a sieve with a pinch of salt and drain for 5 minutes.
- Combine all the vegetables and the fresh herbs in a large bowl.
- Whisk the olive oil, lemon juice, dried mint, salt and harissa, if using, and pour it over the vegetables. Toss gently.
- Taste, adjust the salt and lemon, and serve right away, or chill for up to 30 minutes.
Tips
- Turn it into a light vegan meal by adding a can of drained chickpeas and a few olives.
- Cut everything to the same size with a sharp knife. A food processor turns the vegetables to mush and makes the salad watery.
Questions and answers
How far ahead can I make Tunisian salad?
Chop the vegetables up to 4 hours ahead and keep them chilled, then dress just before serving. Once dressed, the salad turns watery after about 30 minutes.
What is the difference between salata tounsia and salata mechouia?
Salata tounsia is a raw, diced salad of tomato, cucumber and pepper. Salata mechouia uses grilled vegetables that are peeled, chopped and mixed with garlic, so it tastes smoky and spicier.
What goes well with Tunisian salad?
Brik, grilled fish, kafteji, couscous or any rich fried or stewed dish, where its freshness gives balance.
How long does it take to make Salata Tounsia (Tunisian Chopped Salad)?
About 20 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 0 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Salata Tounsia (Tunisian Chopped Salad)?
About 145 kcal per serving, with 2 g of protein, 10 g of carbohydrates and 11 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 145 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 2 g |
| Carbohydrates | 10 g |
| Fat | 11 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 6 g |
| Sodium | 310 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
