Superlatives are in order when describing traditional Italian salads for spring.
Once home, these prime salad ingredients deserve careful but gentle washing, drying and handling. Greens should be loosely wrapped in damp paper or cotton towels and refrigerated until shortly before the salad is to be prepared. Using wooden utensils will help avoid bruising tender greens. For most green salads, the serving bowl and individual salad plates should be chilled slightly, while the dressing should be at room temperature. Add it sparingly to greens, reserving the remaining dressing to pass, along with a pepper mill, at the table.