20 Comments
User's avatar
Todd's avatar

This recipe looks great except that I hate zucchini (and not a fan of summer squash or really fennel bulb). Do you think something like eggplant would work here or would it add too much flavor and/or be a little too mushy for the salad?

Expand full comment
Nani B's avatar

I’ve made this several times now and once with eggplant because that’s what I had that day - I can verify that this pasta salad is equally fantastic with eggplant.

Expand full comment
Morris Pearl's avatar

That looks great. I will try to make it just as written. Do you think that a variation with oyster mushrooms would be good? Or could you consider a vegetarian dish staring oyster mushrooms for a future Newsletter or Home Movie? The oyster mushrooms at the farmers market just look so beautiful. Thank you.

Expand full comment
Amy J Johnson's avatar

You need to get an affiliate link to all clad. I bet people would buy your kitchen stuff.

Expand full comment
Nikki Vargas's avatar

What is the pepper grinder that you use? It seems to work so well, while mine gives me such an arm workout!

Expand full comment
Emily's avatar

It’s the Unicorn pepper mill! I can confirm it’s so good! I bought it after it seeing Alison use it too: http://www.unicornmills.org/magnum.html

Expand full comment
Nikki Vargas's avatar

Thank you!

Expand full comment
Lis Peery's avatar

Holy smokes! Just made this and it rocks. I'm cleaning out the fridge for our our holiday weekend trip so I added tomatoes. I also went nuts with the capers and parmesan because I love both. Salty, savory deliciousness. Thank you, Alison!

Expand full comment
Mary's avatar

This is so SO delicious!!! And very foxy when plated Wow!

Expand full comment
Kelley In Alicante's avatar

I added eggplant with the zucchini because my eggplant was about to go bad. This a great meal!!

Expand full comment
Janet's avatar

Made this today but cut in half for just the two of us. Loved it, but next time will add more zucchini and walnuts.

Expand full comment
SJ's avatar

I cannot get over how good this salad is, holy shit. Wow, those walnuts in all their toasty glory are the chef’s treat here. It took all my willpower to not eat them all before the toss. Those and the capers together, oh my goddess, just extraordinary. Well done. Thanks for this! ❤️

Expand full comment
VJ's avatar

Wasn't a fan of pasta salad before I met this one! Made it for the 4th time last night, and added lightly charred snap peas.

Expand full comment
Quinn's avatar

I have made this once with parsley and mint as the spriggy, leafy herbs, and once with parsley and dill. I must say that I think the dill should not be optional. It is a very important part of the flavor palette and played nicer with the capers, lemon, and zucchini (in my opinion).

Expand full comment
Katie's avatar

Wow. I was having a bad day and made this sans pasta to accompany your butter/dill/lemon salmon and it totally turned my day around. What a great combination of dishes! Hooray for self-care cooking.

Expand full comment
Alexis's avatar

The oil toasted walnuts are HEAVEN. I'll eat that as a snack all day. I've made this for a party and just as a meal prep thing to have for work lunches. Keeper!

Expand full comment
Olivia's avatar

Late to the party - just made this. I *love* all pasta salads, but this is too good to be considered pasta salad!

Expand full comment
Hansika's avatar

I’ve made this a few times and it’s perfect! Just made it with feta instead of parmesan and it was amazing - I forgot the capers and didn’t even miss them.

Expand full comment
Clint Attebery's avatar

Before I close this tab (after going back to this recipe yesterday), I'll add my rave review of this recipe, even though it may be old news by now. I've made this salad many times and with many variations (summer squash instead of zucchini; bow tie pasta; olives not capers; additional pan fried egg plant, etc.), and it's always a winner. The herbs, cheese, walnuts, and fresh scallion are the non-negotiable ingredients IMHO. :-)

Expand full comment