Canyon Horiatiki — Greek Islands via the Arroyo

Greek Island Hopping spoiled me on horiatiki — chunky tomatoes, slabs of feta, oregano that could file taxes. At home I swap cucumber for grilled nopal strips so the salad speaks both Aegean and arroyo without hiring a translator.

What you'll need

• Ripe tomatoes wedged, red onion slivers, green pepper chunks
• 2 paddles nopales, cleaned, grilled, cut ribbons
• Kalamata olives, big brick feta, dried oregano, good olive oil
• Red wine vinegar, salt, pepper, optional capers for attitude

How it comes together

1. Toss vegetables warm or cool — horiatiki is democratic.
2. Crumble feta; douse oil and vinegar like you mean poetry.
3. Let sit five minutes so juice becomes unofficial dressing.

Carl says: If someone demands cucumber, give them cucumber and nopal — peace through redundancy.