Pasta and Black Walnut Fruit Salad
Brighten up your table with this refreshing Pasta and Black Walnut Fruit Salad, a vibrant fusion of textures and flavors perfect for any occasion. This unique recipe combines tender penne pasta, sweet green grapes, juicy strawberries, and tangy mandarin oranges, topped with the delightful crunch of earthy black walnuts. Tossed in a zesty honey-citrus dressing with hints of lemon and orange, every bite bursts with freshness. Garnish with peppery arugula for an optional layer of sophistication. Ready in just 25 minutes, this chilled salad is ideal as a summer side dish, light lunch, or crowd-pleasing potluck favorite. Perfect for pasta salad lovers looking for a fruity twist!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 250 grams Penne pasta
- 50 grams Black walnuts
- 100 grams Green grapes (halved)
- 100 grams Strawberries (sliced)
- 150 grams Mandarin oranges (canned, drained)
- 50 grams Arugula (optional, for garnish)
- 2 tablespoons Honey
- 3 tablespoons Fresh orange juice
- 1 teaspoon Lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente (usually 8–10 minutes). Drain the pasta and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside.
While the pasta is cooking, prepare the honey-citrus dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together honey, fresh orange juice, lemon zest, olive oil, salt, and black pepper until emulsified. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked and cooled pasta, black walnuts, halved green grapes, sliced strawberries, and drained mandarin oranges. Toss gently to combine, being careful not to crush the fruit.
Pour the honey-citrus dressing over the pasta and fruit mixture. Toss again to ensure everything is evenly coated.
Transfer the salad to a serving dish and, if desired, garnish with fresh arugula for added color and a peppery kick.
Refrigerate the salad for at least 15–20 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld together. Serve chilled and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1665 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 48.9 g | 63% | |
| Saturated Fat | 4.9 g | 25% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 1213 mg | 53% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 276.3 g | 100% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 19.6 g | 70% | |
| Total Sugars | 77.5 g | ||
| Protein | 47.6 g | 95% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 189 mg | 15% | |
| Iron | 12.4 mg | 69% | |
| Potassium | 1507 mg | 32% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
