Marinated zucchini salad is refreshing, delicious and goes perfectly with grilled meats for a light summer lunch.
![Easy marinated zucchini salad recipe (vegan + GF) (1) Easy marinated zucchini salad recipe (vegan + GF) (1)](https://i0.wp.com/www.clairekcreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/1-4.png)
Easy marinated zucchini salad recipe (vegan + GF)
Hot weather and hot lunch just don’t go together for me.
I swear I start sweating seeing people chowing down on burgers sitting at the beach in the middle of summer.
It’s cold lunch all the way for me.
For most people, the first thought of cold lunch is salad right?
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If you’ve been reading this blog for a while then you’ll know I never used to be a salad eater.
It’s likely because to me, a salad was a bowl full of iceberg lettuce with some chopped tomato and that awful vinegrette dressing that comes in a bottle.
You know – the salad you used to get on a side of a pub meal or a surf club fish and chips?
![Easy marinated zucchini salad recipe (vegan + GF) (3) Easy marinated zucchini salad recipe (vegan + GF) (3)](https://i0.wp.com/www.clairekcreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/DSC_0417-398x600.jpg)
When I learned that there is in fact an entire world of different salads out there (I was very late to the party as a reformed fussy eater) I became a lover of an alternate salad.
I am a big fan of zucchini so this marinated zucchini salad recipe went straight to the top of my ‘to try’ list when I saw it at the end of last year.
AsSheldon Cooperwould say ‘it’s zingy.’ It’s a very fresh and light salad perfect with grilled meat fresh off the barbecue.
It uses just simple ingredients and is quick and easy to make.
![Easy marinated zucchini salad recipe (vegan + GF) (4) Easy marinated zucchini salad recipe (vegan + GF) (4)](https://i0.wp.com/www.clairekcreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/DSC_0414-398x600.jpg)
Ingredients in raw zucchini salad
To make this zucchini summer salad you will need:
- Olive oil– extra virgin olive oil if possible
- Fresh garlic clove– crushed
- Fresh medium zucchini– sliced finely lengthways in thin strips with a vegetable peeler or a mandoline slicer (or a sharp knife if that’s all you have).
- Red wine vinegar– white wine vinegar can be used if you don’t have red
- Salt & pepper– Sea salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper
- Fresh herbs– we used fresh mint but you could use fresh basil
Can I use different types of zucchini
To make raw zucchini ribbons, you can use any type of zucchini you can get your hands on.
Yellow summer squash (or just yellow squash) can be used.
If it’s zucchini season, you can probably find a few different varieties at your local farmer’s market (my favourite place to buy fresh produce).
Smaller zucchini will work too as long as you can cut them into thin ribbons.
![Easy marinated zucchini salad recipe (vegan + GF) (5) Easy marinated zucchini salad recipe (vegan + GF) (5)](https://i0.wp.com/www.clairekcreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/DSC_0409-398x600.jpg)
How to make marinated zucchini salad
- Firstly, combine the oil and garlic in a large bowl and brush the ribbons of zucchini with it.
- Pre-heat a BBQ grill pan or griddle pan on the stove.
- Cook the zucchini in batches for a few minutes on each side until it is charred and tender then transfer to a serving plate.
- Make the salad dressing by whisking together the red wine vinegar, olive oil and salt and pepper. If you don’t have a whisk, you could also put the ingredients in a mason jar & shake it.
- Pour it over the zucchini and scatter the mint leaves then set it aside to cool to room temperature.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours.
- Serve your new favorite salad at your next barbeque.
Ok so serving it with a barbecue sort of defeats the purpose of it being cold but it still provides a refreshing element to your plate and for me, it’s token greens – nice and healthy with no leaves in sight.
It’s a delicious side dish on hot summer days.
What about you?
Do you crave cold food in the heat? What’s your favourite summer lunch?
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Yield: 8 Prep Time: 4 hours Cook Time: 30 minutes Total Time: 4 hours 30 minutes Fresh zucchini salad
Ingredients
Instructions
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About The Author
Claire Cameron
Nutrition and Wellness Coach, mum of 3 and creator of Claire K Creations, Claire Cameron is passionate about simplifying natural living for busy families.
Through good food, natural products & simple living she'll help you achieve better health and a happier planet in a quick, easy & affordable (but not hippie!) way.
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Jennifer @ Delicious Everydayon January 15, 2014 at 7.54 am
I used to think I wasn’t a salad lover too, but I think that’s because I was brought up on salads that were pretty bland and were unexciting. I’ve definitely been converted over recent years though, and I have to say I love the look of your zucchini salad.
Reply
Claireon January 15, 2014 at 9.05 am
I’m yet to make the conversion Jennifer! I was the most boring eater as a child so I can’t even blame that!
My Kitchen Storieson January 15, 2014 at 6.34 am
I love Zucchinis too. This is such a nice way to eat them and certainly fills the salad niche. How very exciting Claire. No time to go at all
Reply
Claireon January 15, 2014 at 9.04 am
Could be any day Tanya!
The Café Sucre Farineon January 14, 2014 at 8.53 am
I could eat this kind of salad till the cows come home, with our without anything else. It looks fantastic Claire.
I’m excited for you as you wait for the little one!Reply
Claireon January 14, 2014 at 10.30 am
It is very you Chris. Thank you!
Glamorous Gluttonon January 13, 2014 at 10.23 pm
This looks like a great salad, I’ve just started using more veg in my salad because like you, I’ve just got a little bored with lettuce and all the regular stuff. Things must be getting so exciting for you now. GG
Reply
Claireon January 14, 2014 at 10.30 am
Sure are GG!
Maureen | org*smic Chefon January 13, 2014 at 9.25 pm
Salads are all I want. I’m going through tomatoes (and cucumbers) like crazy. I haven’t made this zucchini salad but I want to!
Stay well, sweet thing.
Reply
Claireon January 14, 2014 at 10.29 am
Do you still have heaps growing? I’d be eating lots of tomatoes if the stupid possums hadn’t gotten to them.
Christie @ Fig & Cherryon January 13, 2014 at 8.32 pm
I do like a chilled lunch when it’s hot. My fav is a cold tomato gazpacho – I just serve it in a big glass like a smoothie and sip on it while running around after the kids :)
Reply
Claireon January 14, 2014 at 10.28 am
Sounds wonderful Christie but I had an awful introduction to gazpacho and have never been able to stomach it!
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigellaon January 13, 2014 at 6.42 pm
Hehe so you’re still not really a salad lover? I can’t eat anything else in this heat. This salad looks lovely!
Reply
Claireon January 14, 2014 at 10.28 am
Nope!
Danielleon January 13, 2014 at 5.57 pm
I’m having a zucchini/courgette and griddling phase at the moment so this would be perfect, although I’m not sure I could wait for it to chill! Having trouble remembering what summer is at the moment in wet and windy London, but I think my favourite summer lunch would involve a bit of this salad, the potato salad you posted the other day and some BBQ chicken…yum!
Reply
Claireon January 14, 2014 at 10.28 am
You could have it warm Danielle. I think it would still be good! Ooh yes potato salad and chicken. Yum!
Amyon January 13, 2014 at 10.56 am
Did you use a speed peeler to get your lovely ribbons or cut slices by hand??
Reply
Claireon January 13, 2014 at 11.02 am
I just used a regular potato peeler.
Glamorous Gluttonon January 13, 2014 at 10.22 pm
What’s a speed peeler? GG
Claireon January 14, 2014 at 10.30 am
GG it’s really just a potato peeler :-)