Pasta Salad

Summer black bean, feta and penne pasta salad

Ingredients:

1 can black beans (drained and rinsed)
2 stalks of celery cleaned and finely chopped/diced
1 large tomato diced (or cherry tomatoes cut into quarters or halves)
3 large pickles diced
1 cup cubed or crumbled feta cheese
1/2 cup olives, black, green or both!
thawed frozen corn kernels, fresh corn or canned (optional)

Mix all the above in a large salad bowl and add:

Salt (to taste and depends on the saltiness of the cheese)
black pepper
juice of half a lemon/lime or a pinch of lemon crystals (citric acid)
2 tbsp pickle juice
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp dried mint (or fresh)
1/4 cup olive oil (or less)
Sumaq (optional)
crushed red chilis or cayenne pepper (optional and to taste)
1/2 tbsp minced onion (optional)
1/8 tsp minced garlic (optional)
Chopped cilantro (optional)

Let the above marinate well, boil Penne pasta or any preferred type, drain well and mix with salad mixture.

Serve room temperature.

Enjoy!