TOMATO, CUCUMBER, AND PITA SALAD

Tomato, Cucumber, and Pita Salad image

Yield Makes 16 servings

Number Of Ingredients 19

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For marinated olives
1 cup Kalamata or other brine-cured black olives (5 oz), halved lengthwise and pitted
3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano or 1 teaspoon dried, crumbled
2 (2- by 1/2-inch) strips fresh lemon zest, thinly sliced crosswise
1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon coarse salt
For pita toasts
4 (6-inch) pita loaves with pockets, split horizontally
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons za'atar
For salad
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
4 hearts of romaine (1 1/2 lb), cut into 2-inch pieces
1 seedless cucumber (usually plastic-wrapped), peeled, halved lengthwise, cored, and thinly sliced crosswise
1 pt grape or cherry tomatoes, halved
3/4 lb feta, coarsely crumbled (2 1/2 cups)
3 tablespoons za'atar

Steps:

Marinate olives:
Stir together all olive ingredients in an airtight container and marinate olives, chilled, at least 8 hours. Bring to room temperature before using.
Make pita toasts:
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Brush rough sides of pita halves with oil and sprinkle with za'atar. Cut each round into 8 wedges, then halve each wedge diagonally. Arrange triangles, oiled sides up, on 2 baking sheets and bake in batches in middle of oven until crisp and pale golden, about 10 minutes. Cool on a rack.
Assemble salad:
Add lemon juice to marinated olives, then close container and shake vigorously. Divide olive mixture between 2 large salad bowls. Divide romaine, cucumber, tomatoes, feta, and pita toasts between bowls, then sprinkle with za'atar and toss.