Zucchini Summer Salad

by Gretchen
(Fairfax)

Here is the zucchini summer salad recipe for the salad I made tonight. It's really good! This salad can satiate for hours and give you energy to burn.

This is a great salad to showcase fresh oregano, one of my favorite summer herbs. We have some growing in a pot in a sunny spot on the deck, so I can just go out and snip a few sprigs when I'm preparing a meal. If you don't have oregano, you can substitute another fresh herb. It makes a satisfying main dish meal for one, or it could be shared as a side dish.


List of Ingredients

3 medium zucchini

A few sprigs of fresh oregano

Avocado

Olive oil (1 tablespoon)

Squeeze of fresh lemon or lime

Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste (optional)


Grate or spiralize the zucchini squash into a bowl. Chop and add the fresh oregano. Drizzle a tablespoon of olive oil and toss well to coat the vegetables. Then chop an avocado and add a squeeze of fresh lemon or lime juice. Lightly turn the mixture a few times until the avocado chunks are well distributed throughout but still distinct. Top with salt and freshly ground pepper to taste.

Change this zucchini summer salad recipe up a bit by adding sea vegetables or raw olives.

All ingredients are organic, which I feel is really important these days with the proliferation of GMO’s, pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides into the food supply.


Ingredient Profile

Zucchini are an alkaline producing veggie, and are a good source of beta carotene, B1, B3, B5, B6, vitamin C, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium, phosphorus, and zinc. They are quite a bit less starchy than their winter squash cousins and are a great addition to any number of raw salads and recipes.

Oregano is known to be antiviral, antimicrobial and a tonic herb. It is a good source of beta carotene, vitamin C, folate, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, vitamin E and vitamin K.

Avocado is said to be good for the liver and can lower cholesterol levels. They contain good amounts of vitamin E, copper and iron. An average size fruit contains about 4 grams of protein. Avocado is also reportedly good for rejuvenating the sexual organs.

Olive oil is known throughout the world as a healthy fat with many health benefits. One has to be careful with olive oil as many store brands are diluted with other oils. Try to purchase directly from the farmer at a framers market. Do your research on this one until you find a reputable brand.

Please let me know how you like it.