Shaved Zucchini Salad with Lemon (Printable Version)

A light and refreshing zucchini salad with lemon and Parmesan.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 4 medium zucchini
02 - 1 small shallot, thinly sliced

→ Dressing

03 - 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
04 - 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice (from about 1 lemon)
05 - 1 tsp lemon zest
06 - 1/2 tsp sea salt
07 - 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

→ Cheese & Garnish

08 - 50 g (about 1/2 cup) shaved Parmesan cheese
09 - 2 tbsp fresh basil, torn or julienned
10 - 1 tbsp pine nuts, lightly toasted (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Rinse and trim the ends off the zucchini. Using a vegetable peeler or mandoline, shave the zucchini lengthwise into thin ribbons. Place the ribbons in a large bowl.
02 - Add the thinly sliced shallot to the bowl with the zucchini.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, sea salt, and black pepper to create the dressing.
04 - Drizzle the dressing over the zucchini and shallot. Gently toss to coat the vegetables evenly.
05 - Add the shaved Parmesan, torn basil, and pine nuts (if using). Toss briefly to combine, or arrange as a garnish.
06 - Serve immediately for the freshest flavor and best texture.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • This salad is refreshingly light yet satisfying, making it perfect for those warm days.
  • It’s a quick prep, taking just 15 minutes, perfect when you’re short on time but still want to impress.
02 -
  • Be careful not to over-toss the salad once the cheese is added; you want those ribbons to stay intact and beautiful.
  • Letting the salad sit for a few minutes with the dressing can enhance the flavors, but don't wait too long or it can lose its crispness.
03 -
  • Using a sharp knife makes the process smoother; dull tools can lead to tears instead of ribbons.
  • A quick squeeze of additional lemon right before serving makes all the difference in zestiness.
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