Cold-soak pasta salad

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Keyword cold soaking, dehydrated meals, no-cook backpacking meal, trail lunch

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 6

Total Time 6 20

Servings 2 servings

Pasta, chickpeas and crunchy vegetables dried at home and rehydrated in cold water on the trail. No stove needed for this backpacking lunch.

Ingredients

1 cup (4 oz.) elbow pasta
15 oz. can chickpeas drained and rinsed
½ large red bell pepper diced
¼ cup diced red onion
¼ cup diced cucumber
10 cherry tomatoes diced
¾ teaspoon garlic powder
¾ teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon sea salt
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 packet True Lemon

Directions

At home

Wash your hands, equipment, and work area with soap and hot water.
Cut the vegetables into small, even pieces, about ¼ inch. Drain and rinse the chickpeas.
Bring a quart of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta for one minute less than the package directs; drain and rinse in cold water.
Line the dehydrator trays. Spread the pasta evenly over one or two trays; spread the chickpeas, red onion, cucumber, and tomatoes on other trays, leaving room for air to move.
Dehydrate at 125F for 6-10 hours, until completely dry (some pieces may take longer).
Put the dried ingredients, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and True Lemon packet in a resealable bag (or divide between two). Pour the olive oil into a small squeeze bottle.

On the trail

At least 1.5 hours before lunch, take out the True Lemon packet and add 200 mL (between ¾ and 1 cup) water per serving. If you will be hiking while it soaks, use a watertight container.
Once the pasta is tender, stir in the olive oil and add True Lemon to taste.

Notes

Store airtight in a cool, dark place up to six months; vacuum seal for longer. Onions smell strong while drying (ventilate, or use freeze-dried onion). Once soaked, don't leave it sitting out more than one hour above 90°F (USDA guidance).

Nutrition

Nutrition is an estimate per serving from USDA FoodData Central, for 2 servings; elbow pasta counted as dry pasta, chickpeas counted as canned chickpeas, drained (one can 250 g). Brands and portions vary, so use it only as an approximation.