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cucumber celery olive odyssey salad

Cucumber Celery Olive Odyssey Salad That Dazzles Your Tastebuds

A refreshing cucumber celery olive odyssey salad that combines crisp vegetables, creamy chickpeas, and Mediterranean flavors for a light meal or side dish.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Chilling Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Salad
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Calories: 200

Ingredients
  

For the Dressing
  • 1/4 cup Olive Oil Substitute with avocado oil if desired.
  • 1 tablespoon Harissa Adjust based on your heat preference.
  • 2 tablespoons Lemon Juice Freshly squeezed yields the best flavor.
For the Salad Base
  • 4 mini Cucumbers Use regular cucumbers if preferred.
  • 2 stalks Celery Celery hearts offer a milder flavor.
  • 1 can Garbanzo Beans Canned beans save you time.
  • 1 cup Carrots Multi-colored heirloom carrots enhance visual appeal.
  • 1 medium Red Onions Green onions can be used for a milder taste.
  • 1 cup Green Olives Feel free to swap in black olives.
  • 1/2 cup Dole Sunshine Dates Dried figs can replace them if necessary.
  • 2 stalks Green Onions Can be omitted if not on hand.
  • 1 cup Radishes Omit if they aren't your favorite.
For the Herbs and Seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon Fresh Lemon Thyme Use fresh herbs for optimal taste.
  • 1 tablespoon Fresh Basil Parsley is a good substitute if needed.
  • 1 teaspoon Sea Salt Adjust to fit your personal preference.
  • 1 teaspoon Coarse Ground Pepper Freshly ground pepper gives maximum flavor.

Equipment

  • Cast-iron skillet
  • large mixing bowl

Method
 

Cooking Steps
  1. In a cast iron skillet, heat ¼ cup of olive oil over medium heat until shimmering. Once hot, add the drained garbanzo beans and 1 tablespoon of harissa, stirring to coat. Sauté for about 5 minutes, allowing the beans to absorb the flavors, then cover the skillet to let them steam slightly, enhancing their tenderness.
  2. While the beans are cooking, take a large mixing bowl and chop the mini cucumbers, celery, carrots, red onions, green olives, Dole Sunshine dates, and green onions into bite-sized pieces. Add fresh lemon thyme and basil for a burst of flavor. Toss everything together gently to combine, making sure the colors are vibrant and visually appealing.
  3. Once the garbanzo beans are cooked, carefully remove the skillet from heat and scrape all the flavorful oil and spices into the salad bowl. Stir everything together, ensuring the beans are well-distributed among the fresh vegetables for balanced flavor.
  4. Drizzle the remaining olive oil and freshly squeezed lemon juice over the vibrant salad. Toss the mixture once more to ensure every component is dressed evenly. Cover the salad and refrigerate for about an hour.
  5. After chilling, give the salad a final gentle toss. Taste and adjust the seasoning with sea salt and coarse ground pepper if needed. Serve it chilled as a refreshing side dish or a light meal.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 200kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 9gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gSodium: 300mgPotassium: 500mgFiber: 8gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 1000IUVitamin C: 30mgCalcium: 50mgIron: 2mg

Notes

Chill for at least an hour before serving to enhance flavors. This salad can be kept fresh for 2-3 days in the fridge.

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