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Fresh Cowboy Caviar Pasta Salad Recipe Easy Zesty Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette

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A vibrant and zesty pasta salad combining fresh cowboy caviar with a cilantro lime vinaigrette, perfect for a quick, flavorful side dish or light meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces rotini or spiral pasta
  • 1 cup canned black-eyed peas, rinsed and drained
  • 1 cup canned or fresh corn kernels
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/2 cup finely diced red bell pepper
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro (plus more for garnish)
  • 1 avocado, diced (optional but recommended)
  • 1/4 cup fresh lime juice (about 2 limes)
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon honey or agave syrup
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces of rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions, usually 8–10 minutes, until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta. Set aside to drain completely.
  2. While the pasta cooks, halve cherry tomatoes, dice red bell pepper, finely chop red onion and cilantro. Rinse and drain black-eyed peas and corn kernels. Dice avocado just before assembling.
  3. In a small bowl or jar, combine fresh lime juice, extra virgin olive oil, honey, minced garlic, ground cumin, and chili powder. Whisk or shake vigorously until emulsified. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  4. In a large bowl, combine cooled pasta, black-eyed peas, corn, tomatoes, bell pepper, red onion, and cilantro. Pour vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently but thoroughly. Fold in diced avocado carefully.
  5. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld. If short on time, 15 minutes is acceptable; 1 hour is ideal.
  6. Before serving, gently toss the salad again and adjust seasoning if needed. Garnish with extra cilantro leaves or a squeeze of fresh lime.

Notes

Rinse pasta under cold water after cooking to stop cooking and keep pasta firm. Use fresh lime juice for best flavor. Add avocado last to avoid browning. Adjust chili powder for spice level. Reserve pasta water to loosen salad if needed after chilling.

Nutrition

Keywords: pasta salad, cowboy caviar, cilantro lime vinaigrette, fresh salad, easy recipe, summer salad, vegetarian, gluten-free option

Find it online: https://zoeplate.com/fresh-cowboy-caviar-pasta-salad-recipe-easy-zesty-cilantro-lime-vinaigrette/