Spanish-Inspired Chickpea Salad

Bean salads are popular summer cookout fare, and this Spanish-inspired Chickpea Salad is an alternative to the usual tangy, sweet bean salad. The salad is usually served in Spain as one of an assortment of tapas – small small portions of appetizers served with wine. It also makes a delicious, hearty summer entrée salad, and there’s absolutely no cooking involved.

• 2 16-ounce cans chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• 8 ounces cured ham (preferably Serrano ham or prosciutto), cut into 1/4-inch pieces
• 2 hard-cooked eggs
• 1/2  cup chopped green onions
• 1 large tomato, seeded and diced
• 1/2  cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1/4 cup sherry vinegar
• 1 teaspoon garlic, about 1 medium clove
• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Combine chickpeas, ham, eggs, green onions, tomato and parsley. Whisk olive oil, vinegar and garlic together in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Toss dressing with the salad. Taste and add more salt and pepper, if needed.

Makes 8 servings.