Cold Spaghetti Salad with Grilled Vegetables and Niçoise Olive-Basil Tapenade

A perfect picnic dish, this Cold Spaghetti Salad with Grilled Vegetables and Niçoise Olive-Basil Tapenade takes the typical, uninspired pasta salad and elevates it with bold flavors and nutrients that support male fertility. Grilled vegetables add essential vitamins, while olive oil and basil provide healthy fats and antioxidants. This dish is everything The Rotini Salad isn’t—flavorful, vibrant, and packed with nutrients.

What You’ll Need:

• ½ lb spaghetti: Whole wheat or gluten-free options can boost fiber content, supporting healthy digestion and hormone balance.
• ½ cup olive oil, plus 1/3 cup: Rich in monounsaturated fats, olive oil helps regulate testosterone levels and promotes overall heart health.
• ½ lb pitted Niçoise olives: A great source of vitamin E, which supports sperm health and fertility.
• 1 tsp Tabasco: Contains capsaicin, which may boost circulation and increase testosterone production.
• ¼ cup chopped fresh basil: High in antioxidants, basil helps reduce oxidative stress, supporting overall male fertility.
• ½ cup cherry tomatoes: Packed with lycopene, which can enhance sperm motility and fertility.
• ¼ lb cippolini onions, halved and peeled: Onions are rich in quercetin, an antioxidant that can help combat oxidative damage to sperm.
• ½ zucchini, cut lengthwise into ¼-inch slices: Full of folate, which is crucial for sperm production and overall fertility.
• 1 Japanese eggplant, cut lengthwise into ¼-inch slices: A great source of fiber and antioxidants, eggplants help regulate blood sugar and support healthy hormone levels.
• 1 cup grated Parmesan: Provides protein and calcium, important for sperm quality and overall male reproductive health.
• Salt and pepper, to taste: Essential for flavor balance, and both contain minerals important for proper body function.

How to Make It:

1. Cook the pasta: In a large pot, boil water with salt and 2 tbsp olive oil. Cook the spaghetti al dente according to package directions. Rinse with cool water to prevent overcooking, then drain. Transfer to a sheet pan and coat with 2 tbsp olive oil to prevent sticking. Reserve.

2. Make the tapenade: While the pasta cooks, blend the Niçoise olives, 1/3 cup olive oil, Tabasco, and fresh basil in a food processor until slightly chunky. Season with salt and pepper. Reserve.

3. Grill the vegetables: Preheat your grill to direct high heat or until coals are white and ashy. Toss tomatoes, onions, zucchini, and eggplant with ¼ cup olive oil, salt, and pepper. Place a cast-iron skillet on the grill and char the tomatoes and onions for 2-3 minutes until softened. Grill zucchini and eggplant on the grates for about 2 minutes per side until lightly charred. Remove the vegetables from the grill and let them cool.

4. Assemble the salad: Dice the zucchini and eggplant. In a large bowl, combine them with the spaghetti, tapenade, grilled tomatoes, onions, Parmesan, and additional salt and pepper as needed. Toss well and refrigerate for about 1 hour before serving.

Makes 8 servings (side dish).

Why This Recipe Supports Male Fertility:

This Cold Spaghetti Salad is packed with antioxidants, healthy fats, and vitamins that promote optimal sperm health and overall fertility. Key ingredients like olive oil, basil, and tomatoes are known to support testosterone levels, improve circulation, and reduce oxidative stress—factors crucial for healthy reproductive function.