The ingredients in this salad may be varied according to the season. The recipe arose largely out of a need to combine all the requirements for a summer meal into a single dish, but these days it is no longer served in large quantities and has become an antipasto served in small portions. Along with fresh vegetables it invariably includes various types of preserved fish, and hard-cooked eggs. It is always presented on a base of boiled potatoes or lightly moistened toasted bread slices.