For this pasta salad, the exact type of pasta you use is not that important. Theoretically, you can make our pasta salad with halloumi with pasta recipes in all shapes and colors. We do, however, encourage, you to go for a Mediterranean pasta. From orzo to ptitim to fregola tostata or pearl couscous: Look out for small, round pasta in your trusted supermarket. Trust, that it will make this recipe truly shine!
Pasta Salad with Halloumi: A Mediterranean Multicultural Dish
While I wasn’t initially aware of the ‘little ball’ pasta shape that dominates the Mediterranean, it’s become a household staple now. This type of small and round pasta can be found all along the Mediterranean with all sorts of different names and slight variations. You should be able to find it if not in the general pasta aisla of your local grocery, then it in the international section.
Of course, these pasta varieties all differ from each other in origin, history, and also slightly in production. The decisive factor, in my opinion, is the shape. The little balls have something special about them. The dish looks playful, it’s easy to eat, the texture is soft yet “grainy,” almost like rice. They’re perfect for a pasta salad with halloumi, as the pasta mixes perfectly with the other ingredients and absorbs a lot of flavor.
Halloumi is also a treasure from the Mediterranean, where its primarily found in Greek, Turkish, and Israeli cuisine. It is wonderfully aromatic and doesn’t melt at high temperatures, but gets a nice brown color when fried. Which means that halloumi makes a ‘grate’ addition to the grill. When mixed with a hearty pasta salad, you’ll be bringing all the ease and flavor of the Mediterranean to your next cookout! But, if you’re looking for a little sparkle during the work, you can just as easily make this salad in the kitchen. Either way: Enjoy!
If you’re craving even more Mediterranean eating afer this delicious dish, then we have plenty more in store for you. Our parsley salad and moussaka are fabulous. And for dessert? Our almond cake with lemon mascarpone cream naturally!
Pasta Salad with Halloumi
Ingredients
- 2 cups small, round pasta e.g., orzo
- 2 zucchini
- 2 garlic cloves
- ¼ cup olive oil
- sea salt to taste
- pepper to taste
- 1 package halloumi (8-9 oz.)
- 2¼ cups grape tomatoes halved
- 1 handful basil leaves
Instructions
- In a pot of boiling salted water, cook the pasta according to package directions for about 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, thinly slice the zucchini and mince the garlic.
- Sauté everything in a pan with olive oil. Season with sea salt and pepper to taste. Then transfer everything to a bowl.
- Cut the halloumi into approximately ¾-inch-thick slices and fry on each side for about 4 minutes with a little bit of olive oil.
- Halve the tomatoes and add them to the bowl along with the pasta, some olive oil, sea salt, and pepper. Mix everything well.
- Arrange the halloumi on top and serve with a few basil leaves.