A California traveler thought she was ordering a mixed greens salad with a lemon vinaigrette while visiting Italy. Then she received her dish, and it did not match her expectations.
Riley (@riiidough) took a long trip to Italy. During one local pit stop, the content creator ordered “lemon and walnuts salad” from a place that she said was famous for it. When the dish came out, she seemed shocked by it.
Instead of receiving a traditional, American-style salad, the content creator saw that the dish only had two main ingredients—lemons and walnuts. Her entire plate was covered in lemon wedges with a sprinkle of walnuts on top.
Riley asked her audience whether it was normal to receive literal dishes such as the one she got.
“We are at a restaurant that is popular for their lemon dishes, but we thought that would mean something like some zest or a lemon vinaigrette. Help. My mouth hurts,” she added.
As of this writing, her post has more than 1.2 million views. Commenters both supported the content creator and asked what she expected when ordering her meal.
Did People Agree With Her?
Overall, opinions on Riley’s “lemon and walnuts” salad seemed split down the middle. Some viewers argued that it was reasonable for Riley to be surprised by the salad.
“Well the word salad usually means it’s a blend of various vegetables or fruits, so yes, they crazy,” one commenter said.
It is true that many people consider a salad a mixture of vegetables, but Merriam-Webster’s definition states that a salad is “any of various usually cold dishes: such as: raw greens (such as lettuce) often combined with other vegetables and toppings and served especially with dressing: small pieces of food (such as pasta, meat, fruit, or vegetables) usually mixed with a dressing (such as mayonnaise) or set in gelatin.”
Traditional American dishes, alongside some French salads, tend to go by the former definition and are composed of raw greens with other vegetables. But other countries consider cold foods “salads.” Historically, the definition of what constitutes a salad is broad and far-reaching, according to Tasting Table.
Other commenters said they couldn’t form an opinion on the dish.
“See I can’t form an opinion. on one side, you got exactly what the menu said, on the other, I would not imagine this either. I don’t know what I’d imagine, but not this,” one wrote.
What Is ‘Limoni di Procida’?
A commenter was able to identify what Riley may have ordered.
“Please google limoni di Procida. It’s a traditional recipe from the region and the lemons used are a specific variety that only grows there. You’re welcome,” they said.
Procida is an Italian island that’s known for its “lemon pane” lemons, which grow there and in other areas of Italy. Notably, Procida’s lemons are a touch milder than what an American palate might be used to. For that reason, many people—both on the island and on the mainland—make drinks out of the lemons or simply eat them.
The lemon salad that Riley was having is, in essence, a cultural staple and a more common dish in Italy. Recipes for limoni di Procida differ, and while this one used walnuts, others use mint, chili peppers, and red onion.
Some viewers told her to try her best to enjoy the dish.
“When life gives you lemons…add walnuts I guess,” one commenter said.
Subplot News has reached out to Riley via TikTok direct message for comment. This story will be updated if she responds.
