Turkish Shepherds Salad

Ingredients

• 1 pound tomatoes, diced
• 3/4 pound cucumbers (1 European or 4 Persian), diced
• 1 green pepper, preferably a long green Italian frying pepper, seeded and diced
• 1/2 small red onion, sliced, soaked in cold water for 5 minutes, drained and rinsed
• 1/4 cup (loosely packed) coarsely chopped flat-leaf parsley
• 1 tablespoon chopped dill
• 2 tablespoons chopped mint
• 1 teaspoon sumac
• 1/2 to 1 teaspoon Turkish or Aleppo pepper
• Salt to taste
• 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 to 2 ounces feta, crumbled (1/4 to 1/2 cup) (optional)
• Black olives as desired (optional)
• Romaine lettuce leaves and pita bread for serving (optional)