A fresh, super-quick dish that “brightens up” the ciliegine with a Mediterranean marinade.
Sun-dried tomatoes, capers, oregano, basil, and lemon zest. The result is a colorful, fragrant salad, perfect as an appetizer, light lunch, or a side dish to share.
Ingredients (4 portions)
- 400 g of ciliegine mozzarella pearls (Nobili, if available)
- 1 cucumber
- 1 yellow bellpepper
- 1 green bellpepper
- 1 carrots
- 250 g cherry tomatoes ciliegino
For the marinade
- 80 g sun-dried tomatoes in oil (drained)
- 2 tablespoons of capers (desalted)
- Dried oregano, to taste
- Fresh basil, to taste
- Lemon zest
- Extra virgin olive oil, to taste
Step by step preparation
- Prepare the marinade
Roughly chop the sun-dried tomatoes and capers; mix with oregano, torn basil, lemon zest, and olive oil. Pour over the mozzarella pearls and gently toss. (If possible, let marinate in the fridge for 15–20 minutes.) - Cut the vegetables
Slice the cucumber into half-moons, dice the peppers, cut the carrot into julienne strips, and halve the cherry tomatoes. - Assemble the salad
Combine the vegetables in a large bowl, add the mozzarella pearls along with all their marinade, and gently toss. Adjust seasoning only at the end—the capers and sun-dried tomatoes are already salty.
Cheesemaker’s tips
- Drain the sun-dried tomatoes well to avoid weighing down the marinade.
- Capers: rinse them under running water to remove excess salt.
- Acid–fresh balance: lemon zest adds aroma without increasing acidity; if you prefer a brighter note, add a few drops of lemon juice at the end.
Variants
- Mediterranean twist: add Taggiasca olives and a few anchovy fillets.
- Herbaceous twist: replace part of the basil with fresh mint.
- Finger food option: make skewers by alternating marinated mozzarella pearls and diced vegetables.
Storage and serving
Keep covered in the fridge for up to 24 hours; before serving, bring it to room temperature for 10 minutes so the aromas can open up. Also great for buffets or picnics, served in single-portion jars.
Conclusion
An essential recipe that highlights the sweetness of mozzarella pearls with a fragrant marinade and crunchy vegetables: a few “right” ingredients, maximum result, all year round.
Have a nice meal!