Grilled zucchini salad

Grilled zucchini salad

grilled zucchini salad platter

Added: I’m a woman of my word. I asked you on Instagram and Facebook whether you are up for healthy or indulgent and savoury or sweet recipes this summer and most of you said ‘healthy and savoury’. So that’s what’s coming to the blog in the next few posts starting with this grilled zucchini salad that’s filling and light at the same time – perfect BBQ and picnic fare!!

To be honest, it’s better for me too, as one of the things I find most challenging when it comes to blogging about food for a living is managing my emotional eating (especially when there is some form of sugar involved). No matter how hard I try, whenever I work on a sweet recipe like the meringue tarts last week, for example, I always end up ‘inhaling’ (yup, I sometimes don’t even know I am doing it) lots of the offending item in the process. And it’s not like I only make them once before I am ready to share the recipe with you, so you can imagine how bad it can sometimes get.

Initially I will just have a little taste, but then I will have a bit more and more because a) I’m frustrated with the light / how my shoot is going b) I’m waiting around = I’m bored c) I’m feeling lonely d) I don’t like food going to waste. You get the gist! Before I know it I eat way more than I originally intended and then feel crap because once again I failed to control myself. It’s a vicious cycle and a pain in the bum! Normally, I would solve the problem by simply not having any of the problematic food in the house, but when I develop recipes that’s not really an option, so now and then I need to take some time out. Like now. Now is good. Don’t get me wrong, I am not on a strict diet or anything and I will still allow myself a scoop of ice-cream or a few squares of chocolate daily if I fancy them, but it’s about feeling that I am in control of what I eat and why.

So this summer salad is a perfect way to use up a glut of zucchini, which I hear is easy to grow and once it starts producing fruit, it could feed a small village. I am only just starting to get into gardening now, but to begin with, I’ve sowed beginner friendly things like rocket, oak lettuce, chard and radishes. If they survive and thrive, I will move to zucchini next year, I think. In this simple summer salad, I paired up charred ribbons of zucchini with cannellini beans, rocket, olives and mint. The dressing is a garlicky olive oil with little pops of freshness from chopped up lemon flesh and the whole thing gets a nice sprinkling of homemade (or shop-bought if you prefer) dukkah. It’s a simple affair, yet filling and delicious, a perfect thing to bring to a BBQ or a summer picnic. Enjoy!!

grilled zucchini salad zucchini raw

grilled zucchini salad key ingredients

grilled zucchini salad close up

serves
4 as a starter
PREP
10 min
COOKING
10 min
serves
4 as a starter
PREPARATION
10 min
COOKING
10 min
INGREDIENTS
DRESSING

  • flesh of 1 lemon, chopped finely
  • 1 small garlic clove, grated finely
  • 30 ml / 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, divided
  • fine sea salt, to taste
  • black pepper, to taste
  • fine chilli flakes, to taste (optional)

SALAD

  • 2 medium zucchinis / courgettes (approx. 450 g / 16 oz)
  • 250 g / 1½ cups cooked cannellini beans (1 x 400 g / 14 oz can)
  • 25 g / 1 oz rocket / arugula leaves
  • 3 extra large green olives, sliced thinly*
  • a handful of fresh mint leaves, torn into small pieces
  • a sprinkle of dukkah**, homemade or shop-bought
METHOD
  1. Place lemon flesh and garlic together in a small bowl and set aside while making the salad. The lemon will take the rawness out of the garlic.
  2. Slice your zucchini lengthwise into 2 mm slices.
  3. Heat up a grill pan on a medium heat. Brush it with olive oil and place the zucchini slices on a hot pan in a single layer. Allow them to char for 4-5 minutes without disturbing them. Once charred, flip them to the other side and char for another 3 minutes. The exact time needed depends on the intensity of your heat and the thickness of your slices so keep an eye on your zucchini. Season with salt and set aside.
  4. Add 1 tbsp (15 ml) of olive oil to the lemon and garlic, mix well. Season with salt and pepper and a pinch of chilli (if using).
  5. Stir the dressing through drained cannellini beans, rocket and sliced olives.
  6. Arrange on a large plate with grilled zucchini slices. Scatter with torn mint leaves and dukkah (or at least roasted and crushed hazelnuts).

NOTES
*If you don’t like olives, grilled artichokes or finely chopped capers also work really nicely here.

**If dukkah isn’t available, top the salad with roasted and coarsely chopped hazelnuts.

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NUTRITIONAL INFO
calories
193
10%
sugars
4 g
4%
fats
8 g
12%
saturates
1 g
6%
proteins
9 g
18%
carbs
23 g
9%
*per serving
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5.0
5 reviews, 5 comments
REVIEWS & QUESTIONS
Carla:
I absolutely loved this salad: I modified it just a bit to fit what I had available in the kitchen and it turned out fantastic. I used roasted chickpeas and omitted the mint and dukkah, plus I added sliced avocado. Every single recipe I tried from your website was delicious and a hit my entire family. Thank you!
    Ania
    Ania:
    Delighted to hear that, Carla! Thanks for letting me know that you enjoyed it! x Ania
Anca:
It's just delicious....it's the second one I made today....love it
    Ania
    Ania:
    I'm delighted to hear that, Anca! Thanks so much for taking the time to let me know. Ania
Natalia:
I love, love, love this salad! I make it in the winter too. This was my first introduction to dukkah and I recommend you don't skip on it as it definitely adds a special, delicious, flavourful twist. I use capers in mine. This salas is always a winner!
    Ania
    Ania:
    Thank you so much, Natalia! I'm delighted that it has worked so well for you and thank you for taking the time to let me know. x Ania
Brianna:
What an amazing recipe. Absolutely delicious and easy to follow. Thank you very much for sharing and keep up the good work.
    Ania
    Ania:
    Thanks Brianna! I'm delighted to hear that you enjoyed it! x Ania
Sally:
This salad looks so delicious and interesting.. but I’d never heard of anyone who didn’t like olives! Imagine a world without capers and olives 😳
    Ania
    Ania:
    Thanks Sally! Really? Must be an English thing! I've met a lot of English people who don't seem to like them. x
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