A Simple Beach Picnic: “New World” Veggie Salad
As I have discussed a few posts ago, summertime is all about simple, laid back fare, getting together with friends and family and just relaxing. We live very close to the beach now. We could walk there, but sometimes it is fun to take the car so we can bring our big cooler, a blanket and other goodies for a beach picnic.
While Rachel and Gwen were here, we went with our friends Lela and Bubba to have a beach picnic. Everyone met at our house, we made sandwiches with whatever was in the fridge and both Lela and I brought something to share. She made a delicious pasta salad with asparagus and red peppers and I made what I called a “New World” veggie salad – it contained 2 ears of corn on the cob, a roasted sweet potato, black beans, tomatoes, red bell pepper and zucchini. I tossed all the veggies in a light mustard vinaigrette and sprinkled with lime salt, cilantro and a pinch of chili pepper.
I also baked a batch of gluten free blueberry muffins for dessert. I used a gf muffin mix I found at the health food store. I topped the muffins with some cream cheese icing I had in the fridge leftover from when I made Lela and Bubba’s wedding cake!
We all had a great time enjoying the food and keeping away the sea gulls who really were hell bent on joining our party! They were some serious party crashers! But we didn’t let them stop of from enjoying surf, sand and each other’s company!
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Janet @Gourmet Traveller 88 - July 29, 2009 at 9:01 am
This is a great summer salad. I have only used sweet potato in chinese cooking and have been wondering how I can use it in Western cooking. great suggestion. gotta try soon!!!
Peter G - July 29, 2009 at 9:15 am
These are the best kind of days Jenn. Family, friends and good food. I love the ingredients you used in your “new world” salad. Nice and fresh!
Rosa - July 29, 2009 at 9:36 am
A colorful and delicious looking salad! I love picnics!
Cheers,
Rosa
Bellini Valli - July 29, 2009 at 9:38 am
Local and delicious salad Jenn. Enjoy the summer months, although you did live in Florida where it is always summer in my eyes.
Tender B. - July 29, 2009 at 9:43 am
Interesting choices for your new world salad. It sounds tasty topped with the mustard vinaigrette.
Lys - July 29, 2009 at 9:55 am
That salad looks great and picnics on the beach with family and friends – priceless.
Bob - July 29, 2009 at 11:28 am
Sounds great. In fact I’m making salads for dinner tonight!
Natasha - 5 Star Foodie - July 29, 2009 at 11:38 am
A beach picnic sounds lovely and this delicious and colorful salad is perfect for the occasion!
The Duo Dishes - July 29, 2009 at 4:23 pm
We also love picnics…on sand or grass. They’re all fun.
Lisa - July 29, 2009 at 6:18 pm
Sounds great Jenn. Especially am intrigued by the vinaigrette.
nina - July 29, 2009 at 11:27 pm
Aaahhh, we love beach picnics, but at the moment are in the middle of winter!!! Can’t wait for summer to come, so we can try your new salad!!!
Emily - July 30, 2009 at 5:53 am
Oooh beach parties sounds like fun. I’m very jealous. The beach looks gorgeous and so does the food
Joan Nova - July 30, 2009 at 9:55 am
Looks like a late afternoon. Great time for the beach. I love living in FL… except for this period, when the temps are over 90 and the thunderstorms are a daily occurrence.
lo - July 30, 2009 at 12:22 pm
The flavor combo for that salad rocks! Love black beans and sweet potatoes… And that leaves me to be jealous of your proximity to the beach
Judy - July 30, 2009 at 1:31 pm
Great looking picnic salad Jenn! Love the addition of the sweet potato to this!
Laurie - July 30, 2009 at 2:37 pm
Looks like you had a wonderful day at the beach! Your salad looks delicious!
Natashya - July 30, 2009 at 4:08 pm
I love the idea of the new world salad, perfect for summer!
holler - July 30, 2009 at 6:24 pm
That is a very fresh and inventive salad Jenn! It does sound like you had fun. I really covet your beach
Eralda - July 31, 2009 at 12:33 am
I love summer salads. They are delicious and so refreshing. This one looks so good. Lovely photos. I miss the ocean so much.
kat - July 31, 2009 at 10:12 am
That salad sounds really good & it looks like you had the beach almost to yourselves
Teresa - July 31, 2009 at 11:10 am
Jenn, your New World Veggie Salad got me with your addition of roasted sweet potato. YUM. I love sweet potato. I recently had it roasted and it was delicious. I will definitely try your recipe.
Lori Lynn - August 1, 2009 at 5:37 pm
The day at the beach sounds like fun, big cooler, haha!
Nice looking salad too.
LL
lisaiscooking - August 5, 2009 at 11:51 am
Sounds like a great day at the beach. Love the veggie combination in your salad!
Lone Acorn - August 7, 2009 at 4:57 am
The veggie salad is so easy to make and yet so ealthy.