Taste and style, all in one bowl
Salad recipe a fresh idea for summer
Ihave a relatively small kitchen (not nearly the size of the one I use on my television show) and an aversion to clutter, so I tend to avoid collecting gadgets. That’s why I had held off buying a spiralizer – one of those slicers that cuts vegetables into noodle shapes. Until now. After all, you can get a similar, ribbonlike effect using a vegetable peeler, and already-spiralized vegetables are sold in many grocery stores’ produce departments.
But I recently had the chance to try the gadget for myself, and, to my surprise, I was so tickled by it that I bought my own. In the accompanying recipe, the noodling of the vegetable gives what could seem like a very grown-up salad a welcome dose of fun.
While the zucchini is served uncooked, it doesn’t taste raw per se because it is transformed by a sprinkle of salt and a half hour to drain in a colander, which concentrates its flavour and softens it to the texture of al dente pasta. Dressed with lemon and olive oil, this base for the salad can be made a day in advance.
When you are ready to eat, you just toss the zucchini noodles with basil ribbons, and serve topped with shavings of ParmigianoReggiano cheese and a sprinkle of buttery pine nuts. The result is a salad that is delicious and fresh in both taste and style.
3 medium zucchini (about 8 ounces each), spiralized (about 7 cups zucchini noodles) 1/4 teaspoon salt, or more as needed 1 1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice, plus more as needed 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, cut into ribbons 1/4 cup shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, from a block, using a vegetable peeler, (1 ounce)
2 tablespoons pine nuts, toasted (see NOTE) Freshly ground black pepper Steps Cut any very long zucchini noodles so they are about the length of a strand of spaghetti. Place the zucchini in a colander over a bowl or in the sink. Toss with the salt and let sit to drain for 30 minutes. Pat dry with paper towel then transfer the zucchini to a bowl. Toss with the oil and lemon juice. (Salad may be prepared a day ahead to this stage.)
When ready to serve, toss the basil ribbons with the zucchini. Taste, and add more salt, as needed.
Divide among individual serving plates, then top each with Parm shavings, pine nuts and freshly ground pepper.
NOTE: Toast the pine nuts in a small, dry skillet over a medium heat until fragrant, three to five minutes, shaking the pan a few times to avoid scorching. Let cool completely before serving or storing.
Nutrition: Per serving – 130 calories, 5 g protein, 5 g carbohydrates, 10 g fat, 2 g saturated fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 260 mg sodium, 2 g dietary fiber, 4 g sugar
Krieger is a registered dietitian, nutritionist and author who hosts public television’s Ellie’s Real Good Food.
She blogs and offers a weekly newsletter at www.elliekrieger.com.