Yet another foodie thread from me, I don't seem to get tired of doing these..

I like to knock up quick hearty salads for quick weekday lunches at this time of year. Ones with plenty of punch in the dressing as food that has to sit around for hours can start to taste a bit bland unless well seasoned. One of my favourites is a simple "Italian pasta salad" using wholegrain pasta shapes (I really don't care which), some black olives, diced cucumber and tomato and a little red onion. Dressed with a rich tomato viniagrette (I like plenty of EVOO in this).

I'm guessing however, that whatever the internet may tell me, this is probably more of an "American Italian" concoction than anything genuinely traditional to Italy.

I'd be curious to have some ideas for more authentic Italian salads (hearty style with some kind of carb base like pasta preferred) as well as other American Italian style dishes. I know there's one rather like our own potato salad that is little more than mayonnaise with macaroni. I'm not sure if I should be ashamed to say that I actually rather fancy trying this..