Zucchini Ribbon Salad with Fresh Basil Vinaigrette

If you have ever grown zucchinis or have a friend who shares their bounty with you, you may be looking for more ways to prepare them. When zucchinis are in season they seem to just keep growing and popping up so fast you won’t know what to do with them all!
This is one very simple zucchini recipe you probably haven’t tried. It's refreshing and fairly quick to whip up.

A light salad that pairs well with BBQ

What you will need for your salad:

3-4 + small zucchinis (you can make as much as you need)
1/4 cup raw pumpkin seeds for some crunch

(one small - medium zucchini or about 1 heaping cup ribboned is enough for one side dish for one person, but even after being tossed in the dressing the next day this zucchini salad is tasty, so just make as much as you like and keep the leftovers which are also nice added to baby greens.

For the Basil Vinaigrette:
1/3 c extra virgin olive oil
1/3 c apple cider vinegar or red wine vinegar
a large handful of fresh basil leaves
1-2 freshly minced garlic cloves (can sub for 1 tsp garlic powder if preferred)
a pinch of sea salt and fresh pepper

* any leftover dressing can be keep refrigerated for at least one week

Method:

1. First add all your dressing ingredients into a tall measuring cup or jar, blend well using an immersion blender. You can use any blender or bullet if you do not have an immersion blender. The dressing should come out bright green and creamy. Set aside. 

2. Next Ribbon your zucchini. Finely shave the zucchini with either a vegetable peeler, potato peeler or on a mandolin (set to 1/8th inch)

3. Add your zucchini ribbons into a large mixing bowl. Pour as much dressing as you like over top, very gently toss around to coat with your hands or wooden spoons.
Allow the salad to sit for at least 15 minutes or up to several hours, this will soften the zucchini just enough so you can handle the ribbons without breaking them. Allowing it to marinate will also give the dressing some time to gain more flavour.

4. Toss in your pumpkin seeds just before serving.

This refreshing and simple salad makes a nice veggie side to accompany grilled meat or fish, and any heavier dishes. 

Enjoy!