Ugly Pasta Salad

Ingredients

• 1 (15 ounce) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained

• 1 (15 ounce) can hominy, rinsed and drained
• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 4 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 lb fresh mozzarella cheese, cut into small cubes
• 1 lb medium-sized pasta shells
• 1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese (optional)
• fresh ground black pepper

Directions

1. 1

   Combine oil, vinegar, garlic, salt, thyme, and oregano in a large bowl, whisking to combine.

2. 2

   Add chickpeas, hominy and mozzarella cubes and stir to combine.

3. 3

   Cover and refrigerate for as long as you can to let the flavors combine (or let it sit out just while the pasta cooks-- it will still tasty).

4. 4

   Cook the pasta shells according to package directions.

5. 5

   Drain and rinse in cold water.

6. 6

   Add pasta to the marinated ingredients, stirring to combine.

7. 7

   Eat hot, warm, room temperature, or cold (the salad makes great leftovers), sprinkling each serving with the optional Parmesan cheese separately.

8. 8

   Note: As you can imagine, this recipe could have many, many different vegetables added to it and many different cheeses would make tasty additions.

9. 9

   I sometimes add olives, grape tomatoes, scallions, etc.