Erin's Spring Panzanella with Fresh Peas and Fennel
Description: Fresh panzanella recipe for springtime! Panzanella is a traditional Tuscan salad. This spring green version features fresh peas, pea shoots and fennel. If you intend to have leftovers, I suggest storing the greens and croutons separately from the rest and tossing it all together just before serving. Recipe yields 2 generous portions or 4 side salads.
Ingredients
- 2 cups bite-sized cubes of crusty whole grain bread
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 3 cups arugula or spinach, roughly chopped
- 1 cup thinly sliced fennel
- 1 cup fresh shelled peas
- 1 cup pea shoots, optional
- 2 to 4 tablespoons sunflower seeds, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice (about 1 medium lemon, juiced)
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 to 2 teaspoons honey or maple syrup or agave nectar, to taste
- 1 clove garlic, pressed or minced
- ⅛ to ¼ teaspoon salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. On the baking sheet, toss the cubed bread with the olive oil, salt and pepper. Bake for 12 to 14 minutes, until crisp.
- In a large serving bowl, combine the roughly chopped greens, sliced fennel, fresh peas (yep, they’re raw!), pea shoots and sunflower seeds.
- Whisk together the dressing ingredients until emulsified. Drizzle the dressing over the salad mixture and toss to combine. Once the croutons have had a few minutes to cool down, toss those in as well and serve.