Pasta Salad with Black-Eyed Peas and Corn

Here's an appealing cool salad that combines the familiar flavors of cold pasta, black-eyed peas and fresh corn, embellished with peppers and fresh herbs. This is a great pasta salad for everyday meals as well as company fare for summer.

Serves: 6

8 ounces pasta, any short, chunky shape
15- to 16-ounce can black-eyed peas, drained and rinsed
2 cups cooked corn kernels, preferably fresh (from 3 large ears)
1 cup or so snow peas, trimmed, halved crosswise, and briefly steamed,
or 2 large celery stalks, diced
½ medium red bell pepper, cut into narrow strips
2 scallions, thinly sliced
½ cup vinaigrette (homemade or store-bought) or more, to taste
¼ to ½ cup finely chopped fresh parsley
Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

Optional additions (any or all, as desired):

Halved cherry tomatoes
Halved oil-cured black olives
Chopped fresh dill and/or oregano leaves, as desired

Cook the pasta in plenty of rapidly simmering water until al dente. Drain and rinse under cool water, then drain well again.

Combine the cooked pasta with the remaining ingredients in a serving bowl, and toss together. Add the dressing and toss again. Cover and refrigerate until needed, or serve at once.

Nutrition information
Per serving: Calories: 244; Total fat: 6g; Protein: 8g; Carbs: 40g; Sodium: 22mg