Zesty Marinated Zucchini Salad with Seasonal Additions
This vibrant Zesty Marinated Zucchini Salad is a refreshing and versatile dish that highlights the best of seasonal produce. Inspired by the culinary brilliance of Donna Hay, this salad serves as a delightful base that can be customized with your favorite vegetables. The marinated zucchini absorbs a zesty mix of white wine vinegar and lemon juice, complemented by the warmth of red chilies and the aromatic touch of fresh garlic. With the option to add seasonal extras like edamame, cherry tomatoes, and briny olives, this salad is perfect for summer gatherings or as a light side dish year-round. Serve it chilled for a wonderful burst of flavor that satisfies every palate.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
Zucchini
600 g (Spiralized, sliced, or diced)
White wine vinegar
60 ml (N/A)
Lemon juice
60 ml (N/A)
Lemon rind
2 tablespoons (Finely grated)
Red chilies
2 (Deseeded and finely chopped)
Garlic
2 cloves (Crushed)
Olive oil
1 tablespoon (N/A)
Sea salt
to taste (N/A)
Cracked black pepper
to taste (N/A)
Basil
handful (Finely sliced)
Instructions
1
In a large mixing bowl, combine the white wine vinegar, lemon juice, finely grated lemon rind, chopped red chilies, crushed garlic, olive oil, sea salt, and cracked black pepper. Whisk until well blended.
2
Prepare the zucchini by spiralizing, slicing, or dicing it into uniform sizes to ensure even marination.
3
If adding extras, prepare them by dicing or slicing to match the size of the zucchini.
4
Add the prepared zucchini and any chosen seasonal vegetables (such as edamame, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and kalamata olives) to the dressing mixture. Toss until all ingredients are evenly coated.
5
Allow the salad to marinate for at least 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure the flavors are well distributed.
6
Prior to serving, fold in freshly sliced basil to enhance the flavor and presentation. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Zesty Marinated Zucchini Salad?
It is a vibrant and refreshing salad that uses zucchini as a base, marinated in a zesty dressing with the option for seasonal additions.
Who is the culinary inspiration for this recipe?
This recipe is inspired by the culinary brilliance of Donna Hay.
How much zucchini is required for this salad?
The recipe calls for 600 grams of zucchini.
How should I prepare the zucchini?
The zucchini can be spiralized, sliced, or diced into uniform sizes to ensure even marination.
What type of vinegar is used in the dressing?
The dressing uses 60 ml of white wine vinegar.
Is there lemon in the recipe?
Yes, the recipe uses 60 ml of lemon juice and 2 tablespoons of finely grated lemon rind.
Does this salad have a spicy kick?
Yes, it includes 2 deseeded and finely chopped red chilies for a touch of warmth.
How much garlic is included?
The recipe requires 2 crushed garlic cloves.
What oil is used for the marinade?
The marinade uses 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
What are some suggested seasonal additions?
You can add edamame, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and kalamata olives.
Is this zucchini salad vegan-friendly?
Yes, this recipe is tagged as vegan and contains no animal products.
How long should the zucchini marinate?
The salad should marinate for at least 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
When should the basil be added?
Freshly sliced basil should be folded in just prior to serving to enhance flavor and presentation.
Should I serve this salad hot or cold?
It is best served chilled or at room temperature.
How do I make the dressing?
Whisk together white wine vinegar, lemon juice, lemon rind, red chilies, garlic, olive oil, sea salt, and black pepper.
Can I use dicing instead of spiralizing?
Yes, dicing the zucchini into uniform sizes is a perfectly acceptable preparation method.
What kind of salt and pepper should be used?
The recipe recommends using sea salt and cracked black pepper to taste.
Is this recipe considered healthy?
Yes, it is categorized as a healthy vegetable salad recipe.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 10 main ingredients, plus optional seasonal extras.
What is the best time of year to serve this?
While perfect for summer gatherings, it is a great light side dish year-round.
Can I add edamame to this salad?
Yes, edamame is specifically mentioned as a seasonal vegetable addition.
What type of olives are recommended?
Kalamata olives are suggested for their briny flavor.
Should the chilies be seeded?
The recipe recommends that the red chilies be deseeded before being finely chopped.
How should the basil be prepared?
The basil should be finely sliced (chiffonade) before being added.
Does the recipe require cooking?
No, this is a raw marinated salad requiring no heat.
What is the texture of the salad?
The texture varies depending on your cut; spiralizing makes it noodle-like, while dicing provides more crunch.
Can I add red onion?
Yes, red onion is a recommended seasonal extra for added flavor and color.
Is the lemon rind finely or coarsely grated?
The lemon rind should be finely grated.
What happens if I marinate it longer than 10 minutes?
Marinating longer will allow the zucchini to soften more and absorb deeper flavors from the dressing.
Is this salad good for meal prep?
Yes, because it is marinated, it holds up well and can be served chilled later.