FENNEL SALAD WITH ANCHOVY AND OLIVES

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Fennel Salad With Anchovy and Olives image

This salad is a zesty first course or a fine lunch. A range of sharp flavors - garlic, anchovy, lemon and briny olives - contrast beautifully with the anise-scented fennel bulb. Dress the salad just before serving, so the sliced fennel stays crisp. It may seem silly to smash and pit your own green olives, but they look better and taste meatier that way. In any case, please don't cut pitted olives crosswise into little slices.

Provided by David Tanis

Categories     salads and dressings, appetizer

Time 20m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

4 anchovy fillets, rinsed, blotted dry and roughly chopped
3 tablespoons lemon juice, plus 1 teaspoon lemon zest (from 2 large lemons)
2 tablespoons finely diced preserved lemon, rinsed and blotted dry (optional)
2 small garlic cloves, grated or mashed to a paste
Kosher salt and black pepper
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
3 medium fennel bulbs, trimmed and thinly sliced
Kosher salt and black pepper
About 1/2 cup green olives, such as Castelvetrano or Lucques, smashed and pits removed (about 16 olives)
4 hard-boiled eggs (8 minutes), peeled and halved
Extra anchovy fillets, for garnish (optional)
Handful of Italian parsley leaves, for garnish

Steps:

  • Make the dressing: Put chopped anchovies, lemon juice and zest, preserved lemon (if using) and garlic in a small bowl. Add a pinch of salt and pepper, and whisk in olive oil.
  • Prepare the salad: Place sliced fennel in a salad bowl, and season with salt and pepper. Add olives and dressing, and toss to coat.
  • Transfer to serving platter or individual plates. Surround with halved eggs (draped with more anchovy fillets, if desired), and scatter parsley leaves over the top.

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