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Mostly Chard Tiny Pasta Salad

5.0

(15)

Chard Salad in a dark brown bowl
Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Thu Buser, prop styling by Christina Allen

Pasta salad is winter food too! In this version, Swiss chard stems are thinly sliced and sizzled until crispy, while the leaves are wilted down in a hot pan. Lots of salty feta and olive oil-toasted pistachios keep things interesting, while a bit of sliced sage gives the whole dish a distinctly cold-weather feel.

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What you’ll need

Recipe information

  • Total Time

    20 minutes

  • Yield

    4 servings

Ingredients

10 oz. ditalini or other small pasta
1½ tsp. Diamond Crystal or ¾ Morton kosher salt, plus more
2 bunches Swiss chard
⅔ cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided
½ cup coarsely chopped raw pistachios
2 Tbsp. thinly sliced sage
2 garlic cloves, finely grated
⅓ cup sherry vinegar or red wine vinegar
2 Tbsp. coarsely chopped capers
½ tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
Freshly ground pepper
5 oz. feta, crumbled

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Cook 10 oz. ditalini or other small pasta in a medium pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally, until al dente, then drain.

    Step 2

    Meanwhile, remove ribs and stems from 2 bunches Swiss chard; slice very thinly. Coarsely chop leaves; set aside. Heat ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Cook chard ribs and stems, stirring occasionally, until lightly crisped, about 4 minutes. Add ½ cup coarsely chopped raw pistachios and remaining ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil and cook, stirring often, until nuts are golden brown, about 1 minute. Add 2 Tbsp. thinly sliced sage; cook, stirring, until crisp, about 30 seconds. Remove pan from heat, add reserved chard leaves, and stir until wilted and combined.

    Step 3

    Pour chard mixture into a large bowl and stir in 2 garlic cloves, finely grated, ⅓ cup sherry vinegar or red wine vinegar, 2 Tbsp. coarsely chopped capers, ½ tsp. crushed red pepper flakes, and 1½ tsp. Diamond Crystal or ¾ tsp. Morton kosher salt; season with freshly ground black pepper. Add pasta and toss to combine, then mix in 5 oz. feta, crumbled.

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