Barley Free Zucchini Ribbon Salad with Fresh Basil
This vibrant, no-cook-forward salad is everything a warm-weather dish should be — light, fresh, and genuinely beautiful on the plate. Thin ribbons of zucchini are salted to draw out moisture and soften just enough to take on the bright lemon and apple cider vinegar dressing, creating a texture that's somewhere between raw and delicately wilted. Torn fresh mozzarella and golden toasted pine nuts add richness and crunch, while a generous handful of basil makes the whole thing smell like a summer garden. The dressing comes together in one small bowl with a whisk, and the whole assembly is straightforward enough for a weeknight but impressive enough to bring to a dinner party. For anyone navigating grain sensitivities, this salad is naturally built around whole vegetables, fresh dairy, and pantry staples — no grains, no fillers, nothing to second-guess. A final pinch of flaky sea salt right before serving pulls every element together and makes it taste like something you'd order at a nice restaurant.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
- 4 medium zucchini (about 1 ½ lb total)
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves, loosely packed
- 3 tbsp pine nuts, toasted
- 2 oz fresh mozzarella, thinly shaved or torn
For the dressing
- 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
- ¼ tsp black pepper, freshly ground
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
For serving
- flaky sea salt, to taste
Instructions
- 1
Using a vegetable peeler or mandoline, shave each zucchini lengthwise into long, thin ribbons, rotating the zucchini a quarter-turn after each pass and stopping when you reach the seedy core. Place the ribbons in a colander set over the sink, toss with the kosher salt, and let stand for 10 minutes until slightly softened and some moisture has released.
- 2
While the zucchini drains, toast the pine nuts in a dry skillet over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until golden and fragrant, about 3–4 minutes. Watch closely, as they can brown quickly. Transfer immediately to a small plate to cool.
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