Picnic Potato Salad

Whether it is a Fourth of July picnic or a neighborhood potluck, this simple potato salad fits the bill.   Just a few ingredients, simple to assemble and it stands up to the heat of summer days.  I found inspiration for this dish while visiting with Miles Okal, farmer/part owner of South Wind Produce at the Chapel Hill Farmers’ Market a few weeks ago.  His stand was loaded with an abundance of tempting choices, though I honed in on small red potatoes and celery stalks with pencil thin ribs and bright green leaves.

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds medium red-skin potatoes, close to same size, washed and scrubbed clean
• 4 celery ribs, washed and finely chopped
• Leaves from celery stalks, washed, blotted dry and coarsely chopped
• 1/3-cup herb vinegar, or your favorite vinegar
• 2/3-cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1 Tablespoon Dijon Mustard
• 1 teaspoon, each, salt and pepper

 

Preparation:

1. Place potatoes in large pot and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil, add a heaping tablespoon of salt, and cook until fork tender.  About 10 to 15 minutes.  Drain in colander and return to cooking pot.
2. While potatoes are cooking, mix together oil, vinegar, mustard, salt and pepper in a jar and shake until emulsified.
3. Use a potato masher to “smash” potatoes into coarse chunks. Break up big pieces as needed.
4. Add celery and mix together. I find hands are best for this step.
5. Pour  “dressing” evenly on potatoes and celery.  Toss until vegetables are well coated.  Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
6. Let the salad rest for at least an hour so the warm potatoes can absorb the dressing.
7. Serve at room temperature to allow flavors to shine.

 

Makes 4 to 6 servings

Nutritious Benefits:

Red potatoes are a good source of Vitamin B6, Potassium and Vitamin C.   Besides providing Vitamin C and flavinoids, scientists have indentified at least another dozen antioxidant nutrients in celery.

South Wind Produce is owned and operated by Miles Okal and Angie Raines. The 47-acre farm in Rougemont, NC is a former tobacco farm that they are cultivating into a diverse landscape of fruits, vegetables, orchard trees, grasses, wetlands and woods. All of their products are grown with an emphasis on the health of their community and the land.   Learn more at southwindproduce.com.

See you at the market!

 

Susan is an independent contractor offering services in Event Planning, Public Relations and Marketing.  Contact her: susan.e.reda@gmail.com
Development & Communications Coordinator for Learning Outside www.learningoutside.org.