Zucchini Caprese Salad

A simple easy to make Zucchini Caprese Salad, the perfect no cook Summertime main dish or side dish recipe.  Ribbons of Zucchini, fresh tomatoes and mozzarella with a simple olive oil / balsamic dressing.

Zucchini Caprese Salad

Well Zucchini Season is finally upon us!

A lot of people either love or hate this vegetable and I have to admit that I am a lover of Zucchini.  The Italian and his kids on the other hand can tolerate it only a couple of ways.  They do not like the fact that it is what they call “molle” or mushy

For that reason he prefers zucchini or eggplant or even tomatoes well cooked or grilled in a recipe.

But this Zucchini Caprese Salad was the exception to the rule.  Probably because being raw it was crunchy and not mushy!

How to make a Zucchini Caprese Salad

• It’s best to use new tender small zucchini, and slice ribbon thin.
• Fresh Mozzarella and not firm.
• Either cherry or grape tomatoes.
• and lots of Fresh basil.

I found the best way to make this Caprese Salad is with new smallish zucchini, medium to large zucchini can have too many seeds.  Although I did do a small experiment.

1. The salad made immediately with fresh raw zucchini cut into ribbons (thin).
2. The raw ribbon zucchini placed in a bowl and tossed with a little salt and left to rest for 20 minutes.
3. The raw ribbon zucchini placed in a bowl and tossed with a couple of tablespoons of lemon juice and left to rest for 20 minutes.

And what did I discover?

1. The salad made immediately was just as good as long as the zucchini is firm and tender.
2. I preferred the zucchini under salt rather than lemon, although I think that is probably just preference.  To tell the truth it really isn’t needed unless your zucchini may be a little soft and on the larger side.

More Caprese Recipes you may Enjoy.

Easy Stuffed Fresh Mozzarella Caprese

Easy Caprese No Yeast Pizza Dough

Easy Caprese Pasta

Easy Baked Caprese Strudel

If you are looking for a new fresh Summer Salad to try I hope you give this Zucchini Caprese Salad a try and let me know how it turns out.  Buon Appetito!

4.5 from 2 votes

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Zucchini Caprese Salad

Prep Time

10 mins

Total Time

10 mins

 

A simple easy to make Zucchini Caprese Salad, the perfect no cook Summertime main dish or side dish recipe.  Ribbons of Zucchini, fresh tomatoes and mozzarella with a simple olive oil dressing.

Course: Antipasti, Appetizer, Main Dish, Side Dish

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: an easy Italian no cook summer salad, zucchini summertime appetizer or main dish recipe

Servings: 4

Calories: 71 kcal

Author: Rosemary Molloy / An Italian in my Kitchen

Ingredients

• 1 -2 small / medium zucchini (firm & tender)
• 1 small mozzarella (fresh)
• 10-12 cherry or grape tomatoes (halved)
• 6-8 fresh basil leaves (chopped)
• 1/2 teaspoon oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon salt (more or less to taste)
• 2-3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablesppon balsamic vinegar

This would serve 4 side dishes or 2 main dishes. Depending on the size of zucchini if they are very small use 2, or 1 medium.

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

1. Cut zucchini** into thin ribbons and place on a large plate. Spread on the plate.

2. In a medium bowl add chopped fresh mozzarella, halved cherry or grape tomatoes,  chopped fresh basil, oregano, salt, olive oil and balsamic.  Toss gently to combine.

3. Spoon mozzarella mixture over zucchini ribbons.  Top with more fresh basil if desired and serve.  Enjoy!

4. **If you find the zucchini not so firm or tender you can either place the ribbons in a bowl and toss with 2 tablespoons of lemon juice or a 1/2 teaspoon of salt and let sit 20 minutes, then drain but do not rinse. If you use the salt method, then eliminate the salt from the ingredients.  (taste before adding any additional salt if needed).

Nutrition Facts

Zucchini Caprese Salad

Amount Per Serving

Calories 71 Calories from Fat 63

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 7g 11%

Saturated Fat 1g 5%

Sodium 151mg 6%

Potassium 92mg 3%

Total Carbohydrates 1g 0%

Sugars 1g

Vitamin A 4.8%

Vitamin C 11.7%

Calcium 0.9%

Iron 2.1%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.