Here’s a loaded salad that’s filled with roasted veggies and delicious chewy farro, this is not a wimpy salad by any means! This loaded farro salad is filled with veggie goodness featuring, asparagus, zucchini, yellow squash, peas, red, yellow and orange peppers, artichoke hearts, green onions, basil and parsley then tossed in a bright lemon and olive oil dressing.
Delicious at room temperature so it’s party perfect. You can serve this as a meatless meal, as a light lunch, a healthy main course or a side dish for grilled fish, shrimp or any meat of your choice.
Did you know that farro can be pre-cooked ahead of time then kept frozen? Sometimes I cook a whole bag, let it cool down and place portions into freezer bags so they’re ready to go when I want to make this.
The frozen farro will keep for up to six months in the freezer, but I assure you it won’t last that long, there are so many different ways to prepare it, here’s a summer version I like to make as well.
Keep in mind you can add or subtract any veggie you like, anything goes, this will not disappoint!
You can follow Proud Italian Cook on Instagram to check out what I’m making during the week.
- 1½ cups of farro
- 4 cups of water
- 1 teaspoon, salt
- 1 bunch of thin asparagus, cut diagonally
- 1 to 2 zucchini and yellow squash, cut into bite size pieces
- 1 each of red, yellow and orange peppers cut into bite size pieces
- 1 cup frozen petite peas
- 1 cup of frozen and defrosted artichoke hearts
- 3 green onions sliced
- a handful each of fresh basil and parsley chopped
- juice of 1 lemon
- 2 small garlic cloves grated on a microplane
- olive oil
- Combine the water and the farro into a medium saucepan, add the salt then bring to a boil over high heat.
- Reduce heat to medium low then cover and simmer for 25 to 30 minutes.
- Drain well then transfer to a big bowl to cool down.
- In the meantime heat your oven to 425 degrees then roast all you veggies on a large sheet pan, (except the peas, just let them defrost and the green onions, just have them ready to go) that have been drizzled all over with olive oil and seasoned with salt and pepper.
- Cook them until there is still a little bite, do not over cook and let them get mushy. You'll have to keep checking and tossing them., maybe total 10 minutes, but ovens vary.
- Let all the veggies cool off when out of the oven before combining them with the cooled farro.
- Toss and fold everything together including the defrosted peas.
- Whisk the juice of 1 lemon together with the grated garlic and enough olive oil to your tasting.
- Add the chopped parsley, basil and sliced green onions.
- Pour the dressing on, toss gently and season with salt and pepper.
I’m Marie, a wife, mother, mother-in-law, and gramma of two beautiful girls. My passion is food, clear and simple but especially Italian food, hence the name of my blog, Proud Italian Cook. I want you to feel right at home here so grab a cup of coffee, I’ll get the pastries, take a look around and enjoy your visit! {
I finally had time to try this dish since I had all the ingredients. I never had farro before but I loved the texture. The flavors all came together and we loved it! I am not a great cook but I can read directions which were very easy. Will make this again next week for my bunco group! Thanks!
Oh I’m so glad you liked it. Carola, farro is delicious!
I am not a chef! but I love to cook something new every day. And today I got another one after reading your article.
I think you’ll love this recipe, enjoy!
I do not think I have read one single post of yours that did not make me want to get into the kitchen and cook whatever you were showing. All your food is beautiful. This time I finally said I am going to make this. I went to the bulk store and purchased the farro. I am older and finding my digestion is not what it use to be, this salad will definitely make my tummy happy. My MIL lives with us now and she will also love this. Thank you for that.
I hope you all enjoy it May Britt!!
That looks incredibly delicious. I think I’ll be paying my local fruit & veggie vendor a visit soon!
I think you’ll like it Lulu B!
Gosh that’s a gorgeous salad, Marie. Equally welcome in winter or summer. You’re reminding me I need to buy more farro and make this soon. It would great on the Easter table too.