The Easy Salad My Sicilian Grandmother Serves With Every Meal

For as long as I can remember, this salad has been the precursor to every meal my Sicilian grandmother has made for me and my family. When I was a kid, my grandparents used to pick me and my sister up from school once or twice a week, and my grandmother would make dinner for the family. This salad was always the first thing on the table, and one of the first dishes she ever taught me to make.

As a child, I used to pick out the chickpeas and onions from my serving because I didn’t have much of a taste for them. As I got older, I realized every part of this dish makes it special, showcasing how something very simple can pack a ton of flavor. Even now, at almost 98 years old, when my grandmother feels up to making a meal for us, this salad is always included.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen my grandmother measure a single ingredient in my entire life, so I created this recipe so her signature salad can live on. While I was developing and testing this recipe, the smell of the vinegar mixing with the Italian seasoning stirred so much nostalgia in me.

I’ve made this recipe with my grandmother lots of times, but now that I’m making it on my own, it truly feels like having a piece of her with me whenever I’m in the kitchen.

If you need a quick side salad to serve with your dinner, or you’re looking to add some authenticity to a big Italian meal, this recipe is for you.

Swaps and Substitutions

There are several swaps that can be made to suit your tastes with this salad: 

• If you’re not a fan of white onions, feel free to swap in red onions instead, or omit them completely. 
• You could definitely swap in some mozzarella for the cheddar cheese as well. 
• Any dressing will work on this salad, but the Italian authenticity really comes from the barely measured oil, vinegar, and herbs. Substitute the red wine vinegar in the dressing with white vinegar or apple cider vinegar if you need to; just use a little less as both have quite a kick.

How To Make My Grandmother’s Sicilian Chopped Salad

To make four servings, you’ll need:

• 1 romaine lettuce heart, chopped
• 1/2 English cucumber, quartered lengthwise and sliced
• 1 plum tomato, cored and diced
• 1/2 cup drained canned chickpeas
• 2 ounces white cheddar cheese, cut into 1/2-inch cubes (about 1/2 cup)
• 1/4 white onion, thinly sliced 
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

In a large serving bowl, combine the lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes, chickpeas, cheese, and onions. Drizzle the olive oil and vinegar over the salad. Sprinkle with the Italian seasoning and salt and pepper to taste. Toss to coat everything in the dressing, and serve.

More Recipes from Our Grandmas

• Grandma Judy’s Matzo Ball Soup
• Grandma Rachel’s Curry Dip
• Grandma Jean’s Baked Beans
• Grandma’s 4-Ingredient Johnny Mac