If I was growing the vegetable garden I grew last year, I would make this salad with my own homegrown ingredients. I’d mosey out on the deck, where my planters sat, lush and heavy, and pick what I needed, kvelling over the fruits of my labor.
Of course I wouldn’t have to deal with the stinkbugs eating my tomatoes or the dogs eating my zucchini. And cucumbers. And anything else that’s been sprinkled with organic plant food.
Did you know that some organic plant foods have many of the same ingredients as dog food? Neither did I. The dogs would have kept it a secret had they not made a mad dash for my plants, nearly upending them in their glee. They really ruined their game – it would have taken me at least few days to find the gnawed zucchini nubs.
Better summer squash than Beggin’ Strips.
I’m making this salad from vegetables that I haven’t lovingy tended over and coaxed through infancy. I picked these veggies out out at Wegman’s. The arugula was plucked out of a plastic bag. But this salad – it’s good, nonetheless. It tastes exactly as summer should, bursting with fragrant herbs, fresh raw vegetables bathed in sunshine and a light vinaigrette.
If you’re not invited to a cookout, you’re gonna want to have one of your own, just to share this salad’s goodness with family and friends. So do that. Cook out or go to one. Make this salad and bring it. Do it.
Zucchini Arugula Salad
7 cups zucchini, very thinly sliced or spiralized
3 cups arugula
1/3 cup red onion, very thinly sliced
1/3 cup red pepper, very thinly sliced
1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped
2 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped
1/2 teaspoon dijon mustard
1 tablespoon lemon juice
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 garlic clove, minced
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon salt
In the bottom of a large bowl bowl, whisk together the dijon mustard, lemon juice, olive oil, lemon zest, garlic, oregano, and salt until emulsified and thick.
Add the zucchini, arugula, red onion, red pepper, mint, and basil. Toss to coat. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes to blend the flavors and serve.
Serves 4-6
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This is perfect Sally. Love the colors!
Yum! All the flavors you have in the salad sound so great! I love lemony dressings and mint and basil are my favorite herbs. I’m always looking for new and fun salad recipes and this definitely is on my to make list!