This zucchini salad recipe is a refreshing blend of flavors and textures, perfect for a light lunch or side dish. It's a wholesome combination of spiralized zucchini, thinly sliced onions, and crumbled feta cheese, all tossed in a tangy lemon dressing. The finishing touch of fresh herbs adds a burst of bright flavor.
All the ingredients for this zucchini salad can be easily found in your local supermarket. However, you might want to pay special attention to the feta cheese and dill. Feta cheese is a briny, white cheese that adds a creamy and tangy taste to the salad. Dill, a feathery herb, contributes a fresh and slightly bitter flavor.
Zucchini Salad Essential Ingredients
Zucchini: This is the star of the salad. It is spiralized to create light and crisp strands that hold the dressing well.
White onion: Adds a sharp and slightly sweet flavor to the salad.
Olive oil: It's the base for our dressing, providing a rich and smooth texture.
Lemon juice: Adds a tangy freshness that lightens the whole dish.
Feta cheese: Brings a creamy and salty element that contrasts nicely with the other fresh ingredients.
Parsley: It's used as a garnish and adds a mild, herby flavor.
Dill: Its unique flavor pairs well with zucchini, and it also adds a nice color contrast to the salad.
One reader, Chastity Rivero says:
This zucchini salad recipe is a game-changer! The combination of fresh zucchini, tangy feta, and zesty lemon juice creates a burst of flavors that's simply irresistible. It's a refreshing and healthy dish that's perfect for summer gatherings. I highly recommend trying it out!
Techniques Required for Making Zucchini Salad
How to spiralize zucchini: Use a spiralizer with the larger blade to create zucchini noodles.
How to chop zucchini noodles: After spiralizing, chop the zucchini noodles a couple of times to make them easier to eat and toss.
How to slice onion thinly: Slice the white onion as thinly as possible to evenly distribute its flavor in the salad.
How to gently toss: When combining the ingredients, use a gentle tossing motion to ensure the zucchini and other components are evenly mixed without breaking the zucchini noodles.
How to allow to sit before serving: Let the salad sit for 15 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.
How To Make Zucchini Salad
Nothing beats a refreshing zucchini salad for the summer season! Enjoy spiralized zucchini tossed in lemon juice, feta cheese, olive oil, and parsley.
Serves:
Ingredients
- 2lbzucchini
- ½cupwhite onion,thinly sliced
- ¼cupolive oil
- lemon juice,from 1 lemon
- ⅓cupfeta cheese,finely crumbled
- 2tbspparsley,chopped
- 1tbspdill,chopped
- salt and pepper,to taste
Instructions
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Spiralize zucchini using the larger blade on a spiralizer.
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Chop zucchini noodles a couple of times so they are manageable to eat and toss. They should measure about 3 inches.
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Slice onion as thinly as possible and add to the zucchini.
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Add remaining ingredients and gently toss.
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Allow to sit for 15 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Recipe Notes
If you do not have a spiralizer, use a vegetable peeler to peel strips of the zucchini lengthwise to make ribbons.
Nutrition
- Calories: 101.81kcal
- Fat: 8.49g
- Saturated Fat: 1.97g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 5.23g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.86g
- Carbohydrates: 5.26g
- Fiber: 1.49g
- Sugar: 3.53g
- Protein: 2.52g
- Cholesterol: 5.56mg
- Sodium: 321.26mg
- Calcium: 61.53mg
- Potassium: 338.14mg
- Iron: 0.81mg
- Vitamin A: 24.40µg
- Vitamin C: 22.50mg
Crucial Technique Tip for Perfecting Zucchini Salad
When spiralizing your zucchini, make sure to apply even pressure as you twist it through the spiralizer. This will ensure that your zucchini noodles come out uniform in size, which not only makes for a more visually appealing salad, but also ensures that every bite has a consistent texture. Additionally, when tossing the salad, be gentle to prevent the zucchini noodles from breaking apart. Using your hands can often be the best tool for this to lightly mix the ingredients together.
Time-Saving Tips for Preparing Zucchini Salad
Prep ahead: Chop and spiralize the zucchini and onions in advance, and store them in airtight containers in the fridge. This will save time when you're ready to assemble the salad.
Use pre-crumbled feta: Opt for pre-crumbled feta cheese to save time on crumbling and measuring. It's a convenient shortcut for busy cooks.
Multi-task: While the zucchini is sitting, use that time to prepare other components of your meal. Efficiency is key in the kitchen.
Invest in a spiralizer: If you frequently make zucchini noodles or salads, consider investing in a spiralizer to make the process quicker and more efficient.
Organize your workspace: Before you start cooking, make sure your workspace is organized and all the ingredients and tools you need are easily accessible. This will streamline the cooking process.
Substitute Ingredients For Zucchini Salad Recipe
zucchini - Substitute with cucumber: Cucumbers have a similar crunchy texture and mild flavor, making them a great substitute for zucchini in salads.
white onion - Substitute with red onion: Red onions have a slightly milder flavor and add a pop of color to the salad.
olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a similar light flavor and high smoke point, making it a good alternative for dressing the salad.
lemon juice - Substitute with white wine vinegar: White wine vinegar provides a tangy acidity similar to lemon juice and complements the other flavors in the salad.
feta cheese - Substitute with goat cheese: Goat cheese has a tangy and creamy flavor that can replace feta in the salad.
parsley - Substitute with cilantro: Cilantro adds a fresh and vibrant flavor, similar to parsley, to the salad.
dill - Substitute with tarragon: Tarragon has a slightly sweet and anise-like flavor that can replace dill in the salad.
Best Way to Present This Zucchini Salad
Elevate the zucchini noodles: Gently twirl the zucchini noodles into a neat, compact mound using a pair of tongs to create a visually appealing presentation.
Incorporate vibrant colors: Introduce a pop of color by garnishing the zucchini salad with a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley and dill. This will add a touch of freshness and visual appeal to the dish.
Create a harmonious balance: Arrange the zucchini salad on a pristine white plate to allow the natural colors of the ingredients to shine through, creating an elegant and sophisticated presentation.
Utilize feta cheese as a focal point: Crumble the feta cheese on top of the zucchini salad in an artful manner, ensuring that it becomes a focal point that draws the eye and adds a delightful burst of flavor to each bite.
Drizzle with precision: Carefully drizzle the olive oil over the zucchini salad in a deliberate and artistic manner, ensuring that each strand of zucchini is lightly coated for a polished finish.
Emphasize attention to detail: Pay close attention to the placement of each ingredient, ensuring that the zucchini salad is meticulously arranged to showcase the care and precision that goes into its creation.
Essential Tools for Making a Delicious Zucchini Salad
- Spiralizer: A kitchen tool used to create spiral-shaped noodles from vegetables like zucchini.
- Knife: Used for chopping and slicing vegetables and other ingredients.
- Cutting board: Provides a stable surface for cutting and chopping ingredients.
- Mixing bowl: Used for combining and tossing the salad ingredients.
- Serving bowl: A bowl used for serving the zucchini salad.
- Measuring cup: Used for accurately measuring the olive oil and other liquid ingredients.
- Grater: Used for grating the feta cheese.
- Citrus juicer: Used for juicing the lemon to add fresh lemon juice to the salad.
- Kitchen tongs: Used for tossing and serving the salad.
Storing and Freezing Zucchini Salad: A Guide
This zucchini salad is best served fresh, but if you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Keep in mind that the zucchini noodles will release water over time, so the salad may become watery.
If you want to prepare the salad in advance, spiralize the zucchini and store the noodles in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Prepare the dressing and other ingredients separately, and toss everything together just before serving to maintain the salad's freshness and texture.
Freezing this salad is not recommended, as the zucchini noodles will become mushy and lose their texture when thawed. The high water content in zucchini makes it unsuitable for freezing in most cases.
If you have an abundance of zucchini, consider other preservation methods, such as:
- Freezing zucchini slices or chunks for use in cooked dishes like soups, stews, or casseroles
- Dehydrating zucchini slices to make zucchini chips or to use in powder form for adding to smoothies or baked goods
- Pickling zucchini to create a tangy, flavorful condiment that can be stored in the refrigerator for several weeks
How to Reheat Zucchini Salad Leftovers
- The best way to reheat leftover zucchini salad is to simply remove it from the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together and the olive oil to soften, making the salad more enjoyable to eat.
- If you prefer your zucchini salad slightly warm, you can place it in a microwave-safe bowl and heat it on high for 15-20 seconds. Be careful not to overheat the salad, as this can cause the zucchini noodles to become mushy and the feta cheese to melt.
- Another option is to reheat the zucchini salad in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add a small amount of olive oil to the skillet and gently toss the salad until it is warmed through, about 2-3 minutes. This method can help to slightly caramelize the onions and bring out their natural sweetness.
- If you find that the leftover zucchini salad has become a bit dry, you can refresh it by adding a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and a drizzle of olive oil. Toss the salad gently to combine the ingredients and restore its original texture and flavor.
- For a quick and easy lunch, you can also use leftover zucchini salad as a topping for grilled chicken or fish. Simply reheat the protein of your choice and serve it over a bed of the zucchini salad for a light and refreshing meal.
Interesting Fact About Zucchini Salad
Zucchini is a versatile vegetable that is low in calories and high in nutrients, making it a great addition to any salad. It is a good source of vitamin C, which can help boost the immune system and promote healthy skin. Additionally, zucchini contains antioxidants that may help reduce inflammation in the body. This vegetable is also high in water content, which can help keep you hydrated. So, adding zucchini to your salad not only enhances the flavor and texture but also provides numerous health benefits.
Is Making Zucchini Salad at Home Cost-Effective?
The cost-effectiveness of this zucchini salad recipe is quite high. Zucchini is an affordable and versatile vegetable, and the additional ingredients such as olive oil, feta cheese, and lemon juice are commonly found in households. The recipe's simplicity and use of basic ingredients make it a budget-friendly option for a household. The approximate cost for a household of 4 people would be around $10, making it an economical choice. Overall Verdict: 9/10
Is This Zucchini Salad Healthy or Unhealthy?
This zucchini salad recipe is a healthy and refreshing dish that offers a good balance of nutrients. Here's why:
- Zucchini is a low-calorie vegetable rich in fiber, vitamins (especially vitamin C), and minerals like potassium and manganese
- Olive oil provides healthy monounsaturated fats and antioxidants
- Lemon juice adds vitamin C and helps absorb iron from the vegetables
- Feta cheese contributes protein and calcium in moderation
- Parsley and dill offer additional vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants
The combination of ingredients creates a nutritious and flavorful salad that can be enjoyed as a light meal or side dish.
To make this salad even healthier, consider the following suggestions:
- Use a mix of different colored zucchini (green, yellow, or striped) to increase the variety of nutrients
- Add other vegetables like cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, or cucumbers for extra fiber and vitamins
- Swap feta cheese with a plant-based alternative like crumbled tofu or nuts for a vegan option
- Include a source of lean protein such as grilled chicken, shrimp, or chickpeas to make it a more substantial meal
- Experiment with different herbs like basil, mint, or cilantro to boost flavor and antioxidants
Editor's Opinion on This Zucchini Salad Recipe
This zucchini salad recipe is a delightful combination of fresh, vibrant flavors. The use of spiralized zucchini adds a fun and unique twist, while the addition of feta cheese and herbs brings a burst of savory goodness. The simplicity of the ingredients allows the natural flavors to shine through, resulting in a light and refreshing dish. The balance of textures and flavors makes this salad a perfect side dish for any meal or a standalone light lunch option. Overall, this recipe is a wonderful way to showcase the beauty of zucchini in a delicious and satisfying salad.
Why trust this Zucchini Salad Recipe:
This zucchini salad recipe is a must-try for any zucchini lover. The fresh lemon juice and olive oil perfectly complement the crisp zucchini noodles. The addition of feta cheese adds a creamy and tangy element, while the parsley and dill bring a burst of freshness. Trust the simplicity and balance of flavors in this recipe to elevate your salad game.
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