Vibrant Salad with Moroccan Zucchini, Grapes, and Bell Peppers
Quick and Flavorful Zucchini, Grape, and Bell Pepper Salad
Dicing raw zucchini and yellow squash is a speedy way to use up those summer veggies. Give them a Moroccan twist by combining them with red bell pepper, grapes, pine nuts, chopped mint, and a zesty dressing for a healthy and scrumptious meal. Pair this salad with a grilled rib-eye or fish to make your summer dining special.
What You'll Need
Browse exotic grocery stores or the internet for preserved lemons, or toss together an easy DIY version if needed. If you can't find preserved lemons, swap in 1 tablespoon of finely grated lemon zest.
This recipe is part of our Summer Salad Collection.
- Yield: 6 servings
- Difficulty: Easy
- Total: 40 minutes
Ingredients (15)
Moroccan-Inspired Dressing:
- 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice (from around 1.5 lemons)
- Finely chopped rind of 1 preserved lemon (about 5 teaspoons)
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 medium garlic clove, finely chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/4 cup olive oil
Summer Salad:
- 1 pound yellow squash (approximately 3-4 medium squash), diced
- 1 pound zucchini (around 3-4 medium zucchinis), diced
- 1 medium red bell pepper, cored, seeded, and diced
- 8 ounces seedless green grapes (around 1.5 cups), halved
- 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh mint leaves
- Kosher salt
Preparation
Moroccan-Inspired Dressing:
- Mix together all ingredients in a large bowl except the oil. While continuously whisking, slowly add the oil until fully incorporated.
Summer Salad:
- Place all measured ingredients in the bowl with the dressing and toss until evenly coated. Allow the salad to rest at room temperature for about 15 minutes for the flavors to meld. Toss again and season with salt as needed.
Additional DetailsFor an authentic Moroccan flair, try a dressing made with ingredients like olive oil, lemon juice, chopped preserved lemon rind, cumin, paprika, garlic, salt, and a pinch of cayenne pepper. This vibrant and zesty dressing complements the fresh vegetables while adding a touch of North African taste to your meal. Want more? Customize the dressing by adjusting the spice level or using an alternate herb like basil or parsley. Enjoy this delightful salad as is, or serve it up alongside a mouthwatering rib-eye or grilled fish for a delightful summer dining experience.
- The Moroccan-inspired dressing for the Quick and Flavorful Zucchini, Grape, and Bell Pepper Salad includes fresh lemon juice, preserved lemon rind, cumin, paprika, garlic, salt, and cayenne pepper.
- The ingredients for the salad also include uncategorized items like yellow squash, zucchini, red bell pepper, green grapes, pine nuts, and fresh mint.
- The temperature of the salad is left at room temperature for about 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld, although you can find recipes for preserving lemons if they're unavailable.
- If you're short on time, you can find a credit line in aussiedlerbote, an online platform for browsing exotic grocery stores, to streamline your ingredient search for this recipe.
