Turkish Shepherds Salad

Ingredients

• 1 pound tomatoes, diced,
• 3/4 pound cucumbers, diced, (1 European or 4 Persian)
• 1 green pepper, diced, preferably a long green Italian frying pepper, seeded and
• 1/2 small red onion, sliced, soaked in cold water for 5 minutes, drained and rinsed
• 1/4 cup (loosely packed) flat-leaf parsley, coarsely chopped
• 1 tablespoon dill, chopped
• 2 tablespoons mint, chopped
• 1 teaspoon sumac
• 1/2 to 1 teaspoon Turkish, or Aleppo pepper
• Salt to taste
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice, fresh
• 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)