Refreshing Zucchini Noodle Salad Delight (Printable)
Crisp spiralized zucchini with fresh vegetables in zesty citrus dressing. Ideal light lunch or summer side dish.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 3 medium zucchinis, spiralized into noodles
02 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
03 - 1/2 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
04 - 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
05 - 1/2 cup shredded carrots
06 - 2 tablespoons fresh basil leaves, chopped
07 - 2 tablespoons fresh mint leaves, chopped
→ Citrus Dressing
08 - 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
09 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
10 - 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
11 - 1 teaspoon honey or agave syrup
12 - 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
13 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Toppings
14 - 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled (omit for vegan version)
15 - 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts or sunflower seeds
# How To Make It:
01 - In a large mixing bowl, toss together the spiralized zucchini noodles, halved cherry tomatoes, sliced red bell pepper, red onion, shredded carrots, chopped basil, and mint until evenly distributed.
02 - In a small bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, lime juice, honey or agave syrup, and Dijon mustard until the dressing is fully emulsified. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
03 - Pour the citrus dressing over the vegetable mixture and toss gently with salad tongs until all the noodles and vegetables are evenly coated.
04 - Scatter the crumbled feta cheese and toasted pine nuts or sunflower seeds over the top and toss lightly to incorporate.
05 - Serve immediately for the freshest flavor, or refrigerate for up to 1 hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- No cooking required, which means your kitchen stays cool and you stay sane on hot days.
- The double citrus punch from lemon and lime makes everything taste impossibly fresh and alive.
02 -
- Salt the zucchini noodles lightly and let them drain in a colander for ten minutes if you are prepping ahead, otherwise they release water and turn your dressing into a puddle.
- The dressing can be made up to three days in advance and stored in a jar in the fridge, just shake it well before pouring since it will separate while sitting.
03 -
- Roll the citrus firmly on the counter before juicing to break down the membranes and get significantly more liquid out of each fruit.
- Toasting nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for two minutes transforms them from bland to irresistible, but set a timer because forgetting is the number one way to ruin them.