Shopska Salad

A Bulgarian salad featuring tomatoes, cucumbers, and sirene cheese

We were fortunate to be living in Bulgaria at the end of summer and autumn. The markets were cornucopias of fresh, local produce (most of it local), including some of the most delicious tomatoes and peppers we have ever tasted. Restaurants indulged in this bounty by offering a wide variety of fresh vegetable salads. Angela was so moved by this veggie-zeal that she took a solemn vow never again to make a boring salad. So far she has kept her pledge. The most popular Bulgarian salad is shopska salad. Don’t you dare make this without perfectly ripe heirloom tomatoes in the peak of their season.

Ingredients:

· 4 large heirloom tomatoes, cubed

· 1 small red onion, sliced

· 1 medium cucumber, peeled and sliced

· 2 bell peppers (why not yellow) or any mild pepper – be creative – seeded and cut into strips

· 4 T oil (Bulgarians traditionally use sunflower oil)

· 1 ½ T vinegar (I use red wine vinegar)

· 2 c. grated sirene (Bulgarian feta cheese), grated

· 1 T parsley leaves

· Salt

Directions:

1. Combine the first four ingredients in a bowl.

2. Sprinkle with salt (to taste), oil, and vinegar.

3. Serve topped with a mound of grated sirene and parsley leaves.