Kitchen Recipe Collection
Italian Insalata Pantesca (Pantelleria Potato Salad)
A vibrant, briny potato salad from the volcanic island of Pantelleria, featuring capers, olives, tomatoes, and red onions.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 20 min
- Total
- 35 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- easy
- Cuisine
- italian
Ingredients
Scaled for 4 servings
- waxy potatoes
- cherry tomatoes
- red onion
- capers (salt-packed, from Pantelleria if possible)
- black olives (pitted)
- dried oregano
- red wine vinegar
- extra virgin olive oil
- fresh basil
Equipment
- Large pot
- Mixing bowl
Instructions
- 1
Boil Potatoes
Boil the potatoes in their skins in salted water until fork-tender. Drain and let them cool slightly.
- 2
Macerate Onions
Slice the red onion thinly and soak the slices in a mixture of water and a splash of red wine vinegar for 15 minutes to reduce their bite.
- 3
Rinse Capers
If using salt-packed capers (highly recommended), rinse them thoroughly under cold water and soak them for 10 minutes to remove excess salt, then drain.
- 4
Prep Veggies
Peel the warm potatoes and cut them into large chunks. Halve the cherry tomatoes.
- 5
Assemble
In a large serving bowl, combine the warm potatoes, tomatoes, drained red onions, capers, and olives.
- 6
Dress
Drizzle generously with high-quality extra virgin olive oil and a splash of red wine vinegar.
- 7
Season
Sprinkle heavily with dried oregano (a key flavor component of Sicilian cooking) and black pepper. Be cautious with salt due to the capers.
- 8
Add Basil
Tear fresh basil leaves over the top.
- 9
Toss and Rest
Toss everything gently. Let the salad rest for at least 30 minutes at room temperature so the potatoes absorb the dressing.
- 10
Serve
Serve at room temperature as a main lunch or a side dish to grilled fish.
Cooking Tips
- Dressing the potatoes while they are still slightly warm allows them to absorb the olive oil and vinegar much better than when cold.
- Pantelleria capers are considered the best in the world; they are larger and more floral than standard brined capers.
Variations
- Add Mackerel: For a heartier meal, flake high-quality canned mackerel or tuna in olive oil into the salad.
Chef's Notes & Storage
- A perfect representation of the bold, briny, sun-drenched flavors of the islands south of Sicily.
Nutrition Estimate
280 calories · 4g protein · 30g carbs · 16g fat · 5g fiber per serving
