Hey Summer, Where Are You?
It’s the first week of June, and it’s raw and rainy. I’m bundled in fleece because it’s only in the mid-50’s outside. I’m so ready for summer. I’d even settle for spring. At boot camp this morning, we were taking a survey of who turned their heat back on…
Local farmers’ markets are just starting to open for the season. I pick up my first week’s CSA share tomorrow. My vegetable garden is planted but sunshine and heat are needed for it to grow.
When summer tomatoes are at their peak later in the summer, Caprese salad with fresh mozzarella or burrata makes a regular appearance on my table, but it’s much too early for that. I saw a recipe in the New York Times a few weeks ago for a spring version with fava beans and fennel. Those aren’t in season yet either, but I felt inspired.
What was fresh at today’s farmers’ market? Radishes and sugar snap peas cried out to me. I also have plentiful arugula growing at home, self-sowed from last fall’s plants, and fresh mint in my herb garden.
Here’s my version. The variety of color and textures is a treat for the senses. I love how I’ll be able to vary the ingredients as the season progresses towards tomatoes and beyond.
Spring Burrata Salad
1 small shallot, diced finely
Juice of 1 lemon
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
3-4 radishes, sliced thin
1 stalk celery, sliced thin
1 heaping cup of sugar snap peas, tops trimmed, cut in half
1 4-oz ball burrata
Arugula leaves, torn into bite-sized pieces if large
1 sprig fresh mint
In a small bowl, cover diced shallot with lemon juice. Add a pinch of salt, and let it sit while you prepare the vegetables (5-10 minutes). Then, whisk in olive oil.
In another bowl, toss the radish slices, sliced celery, and peas together.
Arrange the arugula on a plate. Place the burrata in the center. Scatter the mixed vegetables over the arugula and burrata.
Spoon about half of the dressing over the salad. Finally, tear the leaves from the mint sprig into small pieces and sprinkle over the salad.
Serve immediately. Use a serving spoon to cut the burrata in half or quarters as the salad is served.
Serves 2-4
Posted on 6 June 2017, in Cheese, Farmers Market, Salads, Spring and tagged cheese, salad, spring vegetables. Bookmark the permalink. 3 Comments.
A Plateful of Happiness 
I’m in sympathy with you, Betsy, although I have no complaints about Aspen’s spring into summer. We’re in the 40s in the morning (I get up at 5am, guess I should stay in bed longer) but we warm up quickly (we’re closer to the sun???). Fleece is a 12-month jacket for me here. That all being said, you already have a better selection of veggies than we will have for another month or two. I like your NYT’s variation and how you made it your own. Burrata, I am trying to use it more so thank you for the nudge. Enjoyed reading this.
Hi Betsy! We just returned from Italy, and now I need to find good Burrata. Any ideas on where I can find it, or a good brand?
Thanks!
Hi Wendy! From your pictures, your trip to Italy looked fabulous. Is there a Trader Joe’s in Portsmouth? I think the TJ burrata is good. There’s also a local Boston company called Mozzarella House but it’s harder to find, so I usually just get it at TJs.