Cucumber Zucchini Salad – The Lemon Bowl®

This Raw Cucumber Zucchini Salad with Lemon Basil Vinaigrette is a fun and healthy way to enjoy the fresh flavors of summer.

Every summer is a farmer’s market paradise in West Michigan. On the weekends, I sneak out early so I can avoid the crowds and stroll the stands. The farmers know me by name pretty well because I come by so often and admire the beautiful fresh produce. If you’re also a regular at the farmers market, you might be looking for a new recipe to use up some of these delicious veggies. My Zucchini Cucumber Salad is fresh and flavorful, with a delicious homemade lemon basil vinaigrette. It could be the perfect summer salad.

Ingredients

• Zucchini: Zucchini is very high in antioxidants and when eaten raw has a very bland flavor and is slightly sweet.
• Cucumber: Cucumbers are crunchy, juicy, and usually have a sweet taste.
• Arugula: Also called arugula, it’s slightly tart and peppery and goes well with the sweeter cucumbers and zucchini.
• cherry tomatoes: Juicy and slightly sweet, they also add a nice touch of color to the salad.
• lemon juice: Fresh, tart and bright citrus flavor that enhances the salad dressing.
• Olive oil: In combination with the lemon juice, olive oil forms the basis for the salad dressing.
• Basil: Fragrant and almost minty in taste, with lemon and Dijon it adds flavor to the dressing that balances out some of the sweeter ingredients.
• Dijon: Gives the dressing a little spice and goes well with basil and rocket.

How to make Cucumber Zucchini Salad

Start your cucumber and zucchini salad by washing your produce, then thinly slicing the cucumber and zucchini. I find there are two easy ways to do this: One is by using a mandolin.

Alternatively, you can use a vegetable peeler to achieve the same effect.

Once your zucchini and cucumber are sliced, place them in a large bowl.

Then put the arugula on top.

Next add the halved cherry tomatoes.

Then, to start the dressing, add the fresh lemon juice. You can also mix up the vinaigrette in a separate bowl, but I like to make it right on top of the salad.

Drizzle over the olive oil after the lemon juice.

Followed by some Dijon.

Add the chopped basil and season with salt and black pepper.

Mix everything together until everything is evenly coated with the dressing.

Serve and enjoy your Cucumber Zucchini Salad!

Shake it up

• Add more vegetables. You can spice it up a bit by adding some red onions, or give it a Mediterranean twist by adding black olives.
• Change the bandage. To add more flavor to the vinaigrette, you can add balsamic vinegar or enhance the citrus flavor with some lemon zest before juicing your lemon. You can also add other fresh herbs like dill or parsley.

Frequently asked Questions:

More summer salads

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The perfect summer side dish, this cool and crunchy cucumber and zucchini salad will keep your family happy while helping you clear out the bottom drawer of your fridge.

Your fork is waiting.