Pasta salad with vegetables, olives, and mozzarella

Start by preparing all the necessary ingredients to create a delicious and nutritious salad. The first step is to take a large pot and add water along with salt. Place the pot on medium heat and wait for it to reach boiling point. When the water starts to boil, add your favorite pasta. It is important to follow the instructions on the package to achieve the perfect texture, so that the pasta is al dente, meaning cooked but with a slight firmness to the bite. Depending on the type of pasta, the cooking time may vary, so it is good to familiarize yourself with the specifications.

Once the pasta is cooked, drain it in a colander and rinse it with cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down. This step is essential, especially if you want to prepare a salad. Next, move on to preparing the vegetables. Wash the cucumber and slice it into thin rounds, using a sharp knife to achieve even cuts. Continuing, take a fresh, washed, and peeled tomato, and cut it into quarters. Then, slice each quarter so that you get small, appetizing pieces.

The onion, with its strong aroma, will be finely chopped, and this will contribute to intensifying the flavor of the salad. Add the vegetables to the large bowl, where you will combine all the ingredients. Sprinkle a little salt and add olive oil over the vegetables, mixing well to combine the flavors. Now, it's time to deal with the olives. Carefully remove the pits from the olives and slice them into rounds, making them easy to chew and well-integrated into the salad.

Finally, add the cooled pasta and diced mozzarella to the bowl with the vegetables. Gently mix everything, being careful not to crush the ingredients, so that each bite is full of textures and flavors. The salad is now ready to be served. You can garnish it with a few fresh basil leaves for extra flavor and a beautiful appearance. This salad is perfect as an appetizer or as a main dish on hot summer days, bringing a touch of freshness and vitality to your plate. Enjoy every bite!