This raw cucumber zucchini salad with a lemon basil vinaigrette is a fun and healthy way to enjoy the fresh flavors of summer.
Every summer is farmers market heaven in West Michigan. On the weekends, I sneak out before my Kickboxing class so that I can beat the crowds and stroll the stands. The farmers pretty much know me as the crazy lady who takes photographs of their fruits and vegetables.
I mean, can you blame me? These heirloom tomatoes make my heart explode with happiness. I enjoy them all season long, perhaps with a little fresh goat cheese.
It’s also blueberry, peach, and cherry season which means my farmers market budget will be tripled for the next month or so!
Fortunately, there is one vegetable that remains affordable and plentiful: the incredible zucchini. At 3 for $1.00, I buy them by the truckload each week. Not only are they easy on the wallet, but they are easy on the waistline and extremely versatile.
My Zucchini Carrot Ribbon Salad with Lemon Basil Vinaigrette is a fresh raw and tangy salad. The Dijon mustard gives it a little kick in the background that pairs perfectly with the fragrant basil and spicy arugula.
Your fork is waiting.
Zucchini Cucumber Salad
Ingredients
- 1 medium zucchini
- 1 medium cucumber
- 2 cups arugula
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 1 juice of lemon
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil (minced)
- 1 teaspoon dijon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- In the bottom of a medium bowl, whisk together the lemon basil vinaigrette: lemon juice through pepper.
- Trim both ends of the zucchini and use a vegetable peeler to create long, wide ribbons. I find that it’s easiest to place the zucchini flat on a cutting board and peel the vegetable horizontally.
- Repeat the same process with a cucumber and place both the zucchini and cucumber ribbons in the bowl on top of the vinaigrette.
- Add arugula and cherry tomatoes to the bowl and toss well until vegetables are evenly coated with the vinaigrette. Check for seasoning and adjust accordingly.
Nutrition
Want more delicious salad recipes? Check out my Pinterest board!
Can I use Artisan Romaine Lettuce instead?
Sure thing!
The first line in the instructions: what exactly does “…whisk together the lemon basil vinaigrette, lemon juice through pepper” mean?
I would like to try this recipe, but can’t quite figure this out…
Thanks!
It means to whisk the ingredients listed in order starting with the lemon juice and ending with the pepper. Does that make sense?
What a gorgeous, vibrant, bright looking salad. I love raw zucchini at the moment (probably thanks to my newish zoodler/vegetable spiralizer gadget!) I’ll be making this one on the weekend as I always have those ingredients on hand. Thanks for sharing.
I hope you love it!
This looks so perfect and I have everything I need for to make it for lunch! YUM!
Thanks for including it in your round-up!!
I’ve been buying up zucchini like it’s my JOB lately. Thankfully, it kind of is. :P This salad is so fresh flavored! Summer perfect.
hahaha It IS your job girl! haha
I love the farmers market and just so happen to live two blocks from one so I’m always going and getting things on the weekend, definitely need to make this salad because it looks SO fantastic, absolutely beautiful and summery!
Let me know what you think! We love ribbon salads in the summer!
What a gorgeous salad! I love this time of year!
I do too my friend. It really makes healthy eating so much easier. xoxo
This looks SO perfect
Thank you doll!!
Great recipe! My husband really loved it! I will be making it again for sure!
I’m so glad you enjoyed!!!
I’m so happy to hear it!!
So fresh and so clean! Love salads like this, Liz!
Fresh and clean is my middle name!
So simple and fresh. Summer on a plate!
It really is… thanks Brandon!
Salads can get so boring by mid-summer, but this one is really turning me on, thanks!
I couldn’t agree more – I hope you make this!
Those heirloom tomatoes are irresistible! Love this gorgeous salad!
Thanks Gaby!!
Your Saturday AM farmer’s market IG posts make make me so jealous! Loving this salad, lady!
Awww I’m glad you like them!! It’s my favorite time of the week!!
This looks fabulous. I have so many cucumbers and zucchini in my garden right now. This looks like a great way to use some of them. Pinning.
Yes exactly!!! Zucchini is growing like weeds right now!
I missed the Farmer’s market this past weekend. I feel so bummed. I will have to go to the farm stand today on my way home from the gym. I love that you used cukes and zucchini for this salad.
I hope you can get to a farm stand this weekend – it seriously makes me so happy!
This looks so fresh and I love that you included arugula, too! Lovely.
Yes I happen to be growing arugula this summer so it was the perfect use for it!