Gluten Free Classic Zucchini Ribbon Salad
Raw zucchini gets a serious glow-up here, transformed into delicate, silky ribbons that soak up a bright lemon-garlic dressing in the most satisfying way. Salting the ribbons first draws out just enough moisture so they soften slightly without going limp, which means every bite has that perfect tender-yet-fresh texture. Toasted pine nuts add a warm, buttery crunch, while shaved Parmesan brings a salty, savory depth that ties the whole thing together. Fresh basil and mint keep it feeling light and summery, and a pinch of red pepper flakes gives it just enough of a kick if you're into that. Every single ingredient here is naturally free of gluten, so there's no swapping, substituting, or label-scanning required — it just works as written. This is the kind of dish that looks impressive enough for a dinner party but comes together with nothing more than a vegetable peeler and a good lemon. Serve it immediately so the ribbons stay vibrant and the pine nuts keep their crunch.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
- 4 medium zucchini (about 1 ½ lb total)
- ¾ tsp kosher salt, divided
- 3 tbsp pine nuts
- 1 oz parmesan, shaved with a vegetable peeler
- ¼ cup fresh basil leaves, torn
- 2 tbsp fresh mint leaves, torn
For the dressing
- 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice (from about 1 lemon)
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 small garlic clove, finely grated
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Using a vegetable peeler or mandoline, shave each zucchini lengthwise into long, thin ribbons, rotating the zucchini a quarter-turn after every few passes and stopping when you reach the seedy core. Place the ribbons in a colander set over the sink, toss with 1/2 tsp of the salt, and let stand for 5 minutes until slightly softened and a little moisture has released.
- 2
While the zucchini drains, toast the pine nuts in a small dry skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently, until golden and fragrant, about 2–3 minutes. Watch closely, as they can brown quickly. Transfer immediately to a plate to cool.
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