Sallatë Fshati (Albanian Village Salad)
In short: Ripe tomatoes, cucumber, sweet pepper and red onion dressed with olive oil, vinegar and oregano, topped with white cheese and black olives. It takes about 15 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 0 min
- Resting
- 10 min
- Total
- 15 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 215 kcal
A bowl of village salad sits on almost every Albanian summer table, next to grilled meat, byrek or a pot of beans. There are no fancy steps: ripe tomatoes, cucumber, peppers and onion are cut roughly, salted and dressed with good olive oil and a little vinegar. White cheese and olives go on top in many homes. The salad is only as good as the tomatoes, so make it in season and serve it right away.
Instructions
- Put the sliced onion in a bowl of cold water for 10 minutes to mellow its bite, then drain well.
- Combine the tomatoes, cucumber, pepper and drained onion in a wide bowl. Sprinkle with the salt and toss gently.
- Whisk the olive oil and vinegar together and pour over the vegetables. Let the salad sit for 5 minutes so the tomatoes release their juices.
- Top with the cheese and olives, sprinkle with oregano and parsley, and serve at once with bread for soaking up the juices.
Tips
- Use tomatoes at room temperature, never straight from the fridge, for the best flavor.
- Any firm, salty white cheese works in place of feta. Reduce the salt if the cheese is very salty.
Questions and answers
Can I make village salad ahead of time?
Cut the vegetables up to 2 hours ahead, but salt and dress the salad just before serving. Salt draws out water, and the salad turns soupy if it waits too long.
What do you serve Albanian village salad with?
It goes with grilled meat, byrek, fried fish and bean dishes. With bread and cheese it also makes a light lunch.
Can I make this salad vegan?
Yes. Leave out the cheese and add a few extra olives or a spoonful of capers for saltiness.
How long does it take to make Sallatë Fshati (Albanian Village Salad)?
About 15 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 0 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Sallatë Fshati (Albanian Village Salad)?
About 215 kcal per serving, with 6 g of protein, 12 g of carbohydrates and 16 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 215 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 6 g |
| Carbohydrates | 12 g |
| Fat | 16 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 8 g |
| Sodium | 600 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
