Rainbow Chopped Salad with Apples and Avocados

JUMP TO RECIPE

A bright and colorful salad full of chopped vegetables and fresh herbs tossed in a lemon-avocado vinaigrette.

Rainbow Chopped Salad with Apples and Avocados - The Lemon Bowl

In this Post: Everything you need for Rainbow Chopped Salad with Apples and Avocados

September is a magical time of year here in Michigan because apples are in season but the farmers markets are still bursting with produce like peppers, zucchini and fresh herbs. This rainbow chopped salad is perfect for using up whatever fresh fruits and vegetables you have on hand.

California Avocados - The Lemon Bowl

One fruit I’ve been having trouble getting my hands on? A perfectly ripe, buttery, light green California avocado. For whatever reason, the avos sold in my local grocery stores are never from California which means they are rarely worthy of purchasing.

funny-Avocado-eat-now-quote-1

After making a casual joke on Facebook about the lack of good avocados, my beautiful cousin Sabrina OVERNIGHTED a box from her local farmers market in Berkeley. I was so happy I almost started crying. We are heading to Berkeley in February and I plan to stock up!

Rainbow Chop Salad with Avocados and Apples - The Lemon Bowl

One of my favorite tricks for dressing a salad is to use a chopped avocado in lieu of oil. As you toss the salad, the acid (lemon juice in this case) and the kosher salt break down the avocado. As it breaks down, it emulsifies into a rich, buttery and creamy vinaigrette packed with heart-healthy fats.

Thank you for my beautiful avocados, Sabi! I love you.

Your fork is waiting.

Rainbow Chop Salad with Avocados and Apples - The Lemon Bowl

Rainbow Chopped Salad with Apples and Avocados

4.67 stars average
A bright and colorful salad full of chopped vegetables and fresh herbs tossed in a lemon-avocado vinaigrette.
PREP: 15 minutes
TOTAL: 15 minutes
PRINT RATE
Servings: 8

Ingredients
 

  • 1 apple (cored and diced)
  • 2 carrots (diced)
  • 1 yellow pepper (seeded and diced)
  • 3 celery stalks (diced)
  • 1 large zucchini (diced)
  • 1 red onion (diced)
  • 1 avocado (cubed)
  • 1 cup fresh herbs – minced ((i.e. basil, parsley, cilantro))
  • 1 juice of lemon
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper

Instructions
 

  • Add all ingredients to a large bowl and toss until combined. As you continue to toss the vegetables, the avocado, salt and lemon juice will emulsify into a creamy and delicious vinaigrette – no oil required.

Notes

Salad can be stored in the refrigerator dressed for up to 3 days or 5 days undressed.

Nutrition

Calories: 76kcalCarbohydrates: 11.7gProtein: 1.9gFat: 3.4gSaturated Fat: 0.7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2.7gTrans Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 324mgFiber: 4.1gSugar: 5.1g

39 thoughts on “Rainbow Chopped Salad with Apples and Avocados”

  3. Cheri

    This looks absolutely delicious. I can’t wait to try it! Question: How do you keep your avocados from spoiling when you “stock up”? I’m fortunate enough to live in CA, but can’t keep an avocado for more than 2-3 days or they turn brown inside. Any tips would be soooo helpful!

    Reply
    1. Liz DellaCroce

      Oh umm… I don’t stock up. Good avocados are really hard to find around here. I’m in Michigan and it’s rare that I can find CA avocados. So I don’t have much advice for you other than eat them with wild abandon when you get a good ripe one – haha. :)

      Reply
      1. Cheri

        Haha! Got it, Liz. I think that those of us in Cali forget how lucky we are – at least I know I do. Will add that to my gratitude list!!

        Reply
  13. Gwen @SimplyHealthyFamily

    I thought it was just us Phoenicians having bad luck with avocados. They’ve been small, hard yet rotted more often than not :( I could eat one ever.single.day. so I’m hoping the issue gets resolved asap so I can make this salad!

    Reply

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Your feedback is important to us. Rate what you thought of this.




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.