Insalata Agro-Dolce(Sweet And Sour Italian Salad)
A vibrant Italian sweet and sour salad featuring cooked vegetables in a tangy vinegar-sugar dressing, perfect for picnics or as a refreshing side dish.
Ingredients
- 1 pint carrots, cooked, diced and drained ⓘ
- 1 pint green peas, cooked, diced and drained ⓘ
- 1 pint green beans, cooked, diced and drained ⓘ
- 1 pint red beans, cooked, diced and drained ⓘ
- 1 cup diced onion ⓘ
- 1 cup chopped green pepper ⓘ
- 1/4 cup chopped pimiento ⓘ
- 1/2 cup salad oil ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon celery seed ⓘ
- 1 cup sugar ⓘ
- 1 cup white vinegar ⓘ
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a large bowl.
- Stir lightly to mix.
- Marinate overnight in the refrigerator.
Tips & Substitutions
For a delightful crunch, consider adding chopped celery or radishes to the salad. If you prefer a lighter dressing, reduce the sugar to 3/4 cup or substitute with honey. You can also swap out the salad oil for olive oil to enhance the Italian flavor. For a vegan option, ensure your sugar is unrefined, as some sugar processes use bone char.
Serving Suggestions
This Insalata Agro-Dolce pairs beautifully with grilled meats or as a side to a hearty Italian meal like Dad's Spaghetti Sauce. For a complete meal, add crusty bread or serve it alongside a refreshing caprese salad. It also makes an excellent picnic dish, offering a sweet and tangy contrast to savory items.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. To reheat, gently warm the salad in a pan over low heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed through. However, this dish is best enjoyed cold or at room temperature, so consider serving it as a refreshing side salad straight from the fridge.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Insalata Agro-Dolce(Sweet And Sour Italian Salad) contains roughly 271 calories, with 4g protein, 19g carbohydrates, and 21g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (23% of the Daily Value), and a good source of dietary fiber. It also contributes 4g of dietary fiber toward your daily target.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this salad ahead of time?
Absolutely! In fact, letting the salad marinate overnight allows the flavors to meld beautifully. It’s perfect for meal prep or gatherings, as you can make it a day in advance and let it chill in the fridge until serving.
Is this salad gluten-free?
Yes, the Insalata Agro-Dolce is naturally gluten-free, making it a great option for those with gluten sensitivities. Just ensure that any added ingredients, like pimiento, are also certified gluten-free.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).