Farro Salad with Mint, Zucchini and Feta Cheese

Farro Salad with Mint, Zucchini and Feta Cheese

I few weeks before I made this salad I made another using farro (http://invitedtodinner.blogspot.com/2013/08/summer-farro-salad-with-tomatoes.html).  I had forgotten how much I liked the texture and flavor of this ancient grain.  Since I still had some remaining and I was given some zucchini, I decided I should really cook it again and soon.  This recipe is adapted from Jaime Oliver's America.

I have been hesitant to try mint with other savory foods, but I am not sure why.  Maybe because I think it is simply wonderful as a drink and couldn't quite figure out how that would work in a salad.  Peppermint however is very different from sweet mint which I used in this recipe.  It also compliments zucchini very well.  I also used a sweeter Anaheim red pepper for this recipe which while not very spicy, complimented the flavors as well.  Finally, the feta sets everything off so don't forget to add it!

Farro Salad with Mint, Zucchini and Feta Cheese
1 cup farro, cooked with chicken stock
olive oil
1 small-medium zucchini
1 small-medium yellow squash (or just double the zucchini)
4 cloves garlic, peeled and thinly sliced (or pressed)
2 fresh Anaheim chiles
3-4 scallions, chopped into thin slices
1 lemon
feta cheese - about 1/3 pound or to your taste, cubed or crumbled into smaller pieces

Cook the farro with the chicken stock for about 20 minutes or until cooked, but not mushy.  Drain and set aside.  In a medium pan (or large enough for vegetables and farro), put 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil (I rarely measure, but enough to coat the zucchini when hot).  When the oil is hot (use a medium-high heat) add the zucchini, squash, garlic and most of your red chiles.  When the zucchini and squash starts to brown, add your scallions, most of the mint and then salt and pepper to taste (though at this point it is better to use little since there will be salt from the stock as well).  Grate in the zest from the lemon and then add the juice as well.  Add a little more olive oil to be sure nothing is sticking to the pan.

Add the farro and toss everything together, making sure that everything has been well mixed.  Remove from heat and let room to room temperature.  Fold in the rest of your mint and your crumbled feta cheese.  I also added some leftover scallions.  Serve at room temperature, but this also keeps well in the refrigerator.

Serves 2-4