Italian Summer Salad: The Best Creamy Raw Veggie Salad Recipe for Picnics & Potlucks
Discover the ultimate Italian Summer Salad, a vibrant and incredibly flavorful raw veggie salad recipe that has become a beloved classic in our family – affectionately known as “Peg’s Salad.” This delightful dish pays tribute to a truly special lady and her brilliant approach to fresh, crunchy vegetables. Featuring crisp cauliflower, tender broccoli, and sweet carrots, it’s perfectly balanced with savory mozzarella cheese and crumbled bacon, all enveloped in a rich, creamy Italian dressing. It’s a certified classic, an absolute must-have for any picnic, potluck, or summer gathering, guaranteeing rave reviews every time.
In our family gatherings, this phenomenal salad has always held a special place, not by its generic name but by its heartwarming moniker: “Peg’s Salad.” This recipe comes from my husband’s dear Godmother, Aunt Peg, and everyone instantly knows exactly what you mean when you mention it. The name itself brings a flood of fond memories and anticipation for its deliciousness.
However, for the wider audience on the internet, calling it simply “Peg’s Salad” wouldn’t quite convey its essence or help curious home cooks find this gem. Therefore, to ensure this incredible recipe gets the recognition it deserves, we refer to it as “Italian Raw Veggie Salad” or “Italian Summer Salad.” This name perfectly encapsulates its core elements: a medley of raw, crunchy vegetables like cauliflower, carrots, and broccoli, tossed with irresistible salty bacon bits. The “Italian” flair comes from the generous addition of creamy mozzarella cheese and a luscious creamy Italian dressing that binds all the flavors together. It’s remarkably simple to prepare, yet astonishingly delicious and satisfying!
The Legacy of Peg’s Salad: A Recipe Born from Love
This salad is more than just a recipe; it’s a heartfelt tribute to a truly extraordinary woman, my husband’s Godmother, Peg. She was one of those rare individuals who could brighten any room simply by walking into it. Her vibrant personality and infectious positivity left a lasting impression on everyone she met. Peg was also one of the most dedicated and hardest-working women I’ve ever had the privilege of knowing. Her love for her family knew no bounds, filling every interaction with warmth and genuine care. No matter the challenges life threw her way, she possessed an incredible ability to find the silver lining and make the best out of any situation. Tragically, Peg was taken from us far too soon in April of 2011, at the young age of 58. This salad, “Peg’s Salad,” lives on as a delicious and comforting reminder of her spirit and generosity.
My First Encounter with This Irresistible Salad
I still vividly remember the first time I tasted this salad, early in my marriage, at a family gathering on my husband’s side. It was a potluck, and amidst an array of tempting dishes, a vibrant raw vegetable salad on the buffet table caught my eye. Intrigued by its fresh appearance, I served myself a spoonful. Upon the first bite, I was completely captivated by the symphony of textures and flavors. The crunch, the creamy dressing, the savory bacon – it was utterly delicious! Without hesitation, I went back for a second, more generous spoonful. I knew immediately I had to have the recipe. I approached Peg, who graciously shared her secret, and ever since, the recipe card in my collection has been proudly titled “Peg’s Salad.” It quickly became a staple in our household and a favorite at every gathering. It’s not just a great picnic salad; it’s a crowd-pleaser that I am confident you and your loved ones will adore just as much as we do!
Creative Italian Summer Salad Variations and Customizations
One of the many wonderful aspects of Peg’s fresh Italian Summer Salad is its incredible adaptability. It’s truly a versatile recipe that encourages personalization. While the core ingredients create a perfect harmony, you can easily substitute or add other fresh vegetables to truly make it your own. For instance, if you’re looking to enhance the crunch, consider adding crisp bell peppers (red, yellow, or orange for a pop of color), sliced cucumbers, or even finely diced celery. Fresh or frozen peas (thawed) can also be a delightful, slightly sweeter addition that complements the existing flavors beautifully.
If you’re keen to explore other cruciferous vegetables, many varieties work wonderfully here. Brussels sprouts, thinly shaved or finely chopped, offer a slightly peppery note. Radishes, sliced thin, will add a sharp, refreshing bite. For a more sophisticated or peppery twist, consider incorporating delicate arugula or crisp watercress. These additions not only vary the flavor profile but also significantly boost the nutritional value, as cruciferous vegetables are exceptionally rich in essential vitamins, powerful antioxidants, and beneficial phytonutrients, making your salad even healthier.
Making this salad vegetarian-friendly is a breeze: simply omit the bacon. To maintain that satisfying salty crunch, I highly recommend adding either seasoned croutons for a classic touch or toasted sunflower seeds for a nutty, earthy flavor and an extra dose of healthy fats. For those looking for additional protein without meat, cooked and cooled chickpeas or cannellini beans can be a fantastic inclusion, making it a more substantial meal. You could also experiment with different cheeses; while mozzarella offers a mild, creamy texture, shredded provolone, a sharper cheddar, or even crumbled feta can introduce exciting new dimensions of flavor. Don’t be afraid to experiment – this salad is very forgiving and always delicious!
Optimal Storage for Your Raw Veggie Salads
To ensure your vibrant and colorful raw Italian Summer Salad remains fresh, crunchy, and delicious, proper storage is key. Since this recipe combines several ingredients that all benefit from refrigeration, it’s crucial to store any leftovers in an airtight container. This prevents spoilage and helps to maintain the crisp texture of the vegetables. While theoretically you *could* attempt to freeze this salad, I strongly advise against it. Freezing will inevitably alter the delicate texture of the raw vegetables, making them mushy and far less satisfying upon thawing. The true joy of this salad lies in its freshness and crunch, which would be lost. When stored correctly in an airtight container in the refrigerator, this delightful veggie salad with its creamy Italian dressing will stay fresh and palatable for approximately 3 to 4 days. For optimal enjoyment, always serve it chilled, ensuring those flavors have had ample time to meld together.
Which Vegetables Can Be Eaten Raw in Salads?
The beauty of salads lies in their celebration of fresh, raw produce. Indeed, most vegetables are perfectly safe and often more beneficial when consumed raw in salads. For this particular Italian Summer Salad, serving the vegetables raw is absolutely paramount to achieving its signature crunchy texture and vibrant freshness. While some individuals might prefer to lightly parboil harder vegetables like broccoli for a mere 30 seconds or so to soften them slightly, this step is entirely optional. If you simply chop the tougher raw vegetables, such as cauliflower and broccoli, into appropriately small, bite-sized pieces, they become much easier and more enjoyable to eat. Unless you have a super sensitive palate to crunch, you’ll find their natural crispness adds a fantastic dimension to the salad. Beyond the main ingredients, a vast array of other vegetables shine in their raw form in salads: think bell peppers, red onions, cherry tomatoes, spinach, kale (massaged), cucumbers, and various leafy greens, all contributing unique flavors and textures.
The Health Benefits of Raw Salads
Incorporating raw salads into your daily diet is not just a culinary choice, but a fundamental step towards a healthier lifestyle. Raw vegetables should undoubtedly be a staple in everyone’s diet, forming a cornerstone of healthy eating. There is universal agreement among nutrition experts and health organizations that legumes and raw vegetables ought to constitute a major part of our daily food intake. These natural powerhouses are packed with essential vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber, and a wide array of antioxidants and phytochemicals that are often diminished or destroyed by cooking processes. Diets rich in beans and raw vegetables are commonly observed in the longest-living populations around the world, particularly in “Blue Zones,” regions known for their exceptional longevity. The high fiber content in raw vegetables promotes digestive health, aids in weight management by providing satiety, and helps regulate blood sugar levels. Furthermore, the antioxidants combat oxidative stress, reducing the risk of chronic diseases. Embracing raw salads like our Italian Summer Salad is a delicious and effective way to nourish your body and contribute to long-term well-being.
Choosing the Perfect Dressing for This Salad
The dressing is the soul of this Italian Summer Salad, and selecting the right one is crucial for achieving its signature flavor profile. Originally, the authentic recipe called for Seven Seas Creamy Italian Dressing. However, as many of us have experienced, some beloved products become harder to find over time. In recent years, Seven Seas Creamy Italian has become increasingly difficult to locate in grocery stores. As a result, I’ve had to find suitable alternatives that replicate that classic creamy taste and texture.
After much experimentation, I highly recommend using the Wish-Bone brand Creamy Italian Dressing as a fantastic substitute. It delivers the perfect balance of tang, creaminess, and Italian herbs that this salad demands. The key here is to specifically look for a *creamy* Italian dressing, not just any regular Italian dressing. Regular Italian dressings are typically vinaigrette-based, clear, and lighter, which would not provide the same rich coating and flavor infusion that makes Peg’s Salad so exceptionally delicious. The creamy texture helps to bind all the raw vegetables, mozzarella, and bacon together, creating a cohesive and indulgent salad experience. Feel free to use your favorite creamy Italian brand, but always ensure it’s the creamy variety for the best possible results.
Peg’s Salad (Italian Summer Salad) Essential Ingredients
For precise measurements and detailed step-by-step instructions, please refer to the printable recipe card located at the bottom of this post. These ingredients are the heart of our beloved Italian Summer Salad:
- Cauliflower: A crisp, neutral base that absorbs the dressing wonderfully.
- Broccoli: Adds a delightful crunch and vibrant green color, along with significant nutritional benefits.
- Carrots: Provides natural sweetness and a beautiful orange hue, contrasting with the other veggies.
- Mozzarella Cheese: Shredded for a mild, creamy, and slightly salty element. I always find that shredding your own cheese makes a noticeable difference in freshness and meltability!
- Bacon: Fried until crispy and then crumbled into savory bits. This adds a crucial salty, smoky flavor and fantastic texture. If you’re short on time, good quality pre-packaged real bacon pieces are a convenient cheat that still delivers great flavor.
- Creamy Italian Salad Dressing: The magical ingredient that coats every piece, infusing the salad with its signature creamy, tangy, and herby Italian flavor. Remember, creamy is key!
How to Master the Italian Summer Salad: Step-by-Step
STEP 1: CHOP the Vegetables
STEP 2: ADD the Bacon
Gently toss the bacon with the veggies to combine them thoroughly, ensuring the savory bits are evenly distributed throughout the salad base.
STEP 3: SHRED and Combine
Now, add the freshly shredded mozzarella cheese to the mixture of vegetables and bacon. Give everything another good toss. The cheese will add a mild creaminess and a subtle salty note that perfectly complements the other ingredients.
STEP 4: DRESS the Salad
It’s time for the star of the show – the creamy Italian dressing! Pour the entire bottle of dressing over your prepared salad ingredients. Don’t be shy; the dressing is key to infusing all the flavors.
STEP 5: TOSS and Chill
Using large salad tongs or your hands, thoroughly toss the salad until every single piece of vegetable, bacon, and cheese is evenly coated with the creamy Italian dressing. This ensures maximum flavor in every bite. Once fully coated, cover the bowl tightly and refrigerate the salad for a minimum of 8 hours, and ideally up to 24 hours, before serving it cold. This chilling period is crucial as it allows the dressing to marinate the raw vegetables, softening them slightly and deepening their flavors, transforming a simple mix into an extraordinary Italian Summer Salad.
Love it? Pin it for Later!
Don’t let this incredible recipe slip away! Make sure to save it to your favorite Pinterest recipe board before you leave. This way, you’ll always be able to find Peg’s Italian Summer Salad when you’re ready to whip up this crowd-pleasing dish for your next gathering!
Explore More Delicious Salad Recipes
If you’re a fan of fresh and flavorful salads, you’re in luck! My site is brimming with an abundance of salad recipes designed to delight your taste buds. Here are a few more popular options that I know you’ll love to try:
- Mom’s Marinated Vegetable Salad (pictured above)
- Classic Broccoli Salad with Bacon and Raisins
- Copycat Olive Garden Salad
- Savory Chinese Chicken Salad
- Hearty Antipasto Pasta Salad
I sincerely hope that you and your family will cherish this Italian Summer Salad as much as our family always has. It’s a recipe that brings joy, deliciousness, and wonderful memories to every occasion. Thank you for sharing your fantastic recipe with us, dear Aunt Peg! 
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Print Recipe
Peg’s Salad – Italian Raw Veggie Salad
Ingredients
- 1 medium head cauliflower chopped into bite-sized florets
- 4 small bunches broccoli chopped into bite-sized florets
- 1 small package 8 ounce baby carrots, finely chopped
- 1 8 ounce package shredded mozzarella cheese
- 8 pieces of bacon fried until crispy and crumbled (or one 9 ounce package of real bacon pieces for convenience)
- 1 15 ounce bottle Creamy Italian Dressing
Instructions
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Thoroughly wash and chop the cauliflower, broccoli, and carrots into small, uniform bite-sized pieces. Place all chopped vegetables into a large mixing bowl.
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Add the crumbled bacon to the bowl with the vegetables, and toss gently to distribute evenly.
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Next, add the shredded mozzarella cheese to the vegetable and bacon mixture. Toss again until well combined.
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Pour the entire bottle of creamy Italian dressing over the salad. Toss thoroughly until all ingredients are completely coated.
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Cover the bowl tightly and refrigerate for at least 8 hours. For optimal flavor and texture development, I recommend making it the day before and chilling it for 24 hours. The salad tastes significantly better after it has had adequate time to marinate in the fridge.
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Store any leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Consume within 3-4 days for best quality.
Notes
Nutrition
This delightful recipe was originally shared in June of 2011, and received a significant update on March 26, 2016.
It has been updated once again to enhance user experience, improve SEO, and expand on content, and was proudly reshared on June 15, 2022.
