Zucchini Salad With Ajo Blanco Dressing & Spiced Nuts

Zucchini Salad With Ajo Blanco Dressing & Spiced Nuts
Zucchini Salad With Ajo Blanco Dressing & Spiced Nuts
Over the last few years I have started to love zucchini, but I have to admit that by the end of the season, it's like, "Not another bloody zucchini!" That said, this is one of the joys of eating seasonally—anticipation and excitement at the start of the season, despair and overload at the end.
  • Preparing Time: -
  • Total Time: -
  • Served Person: Serves 2 as a large share, or 4 smaller servings
Salad Side Kid-Friendly Quick & Easy High Fiber Lunch Mint Almond Walnut Zucchini Summer Healthy Low Cholesterol Vegan Hazelnut Parsley Vegetarian Pescatarian Dairy Free Peanut Free Soy Free Kosher Small Plates
  • salt to taste
  • freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • pinch of smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon sherry vinegar
  • 1 garlic clove, peeled
  • 3 to 4 slices white bread, crusts removed
  • 3/4 cup blanched almonds, roughly chopped
  • 1/3 cup ice-cold water
  • 3 medium zucchinis, cut into random pieces
  • 1/2 ounce hazelnuts, chopped
  • 1/2 ounce blanched almonds, chopped
  • 1/2 ounce walnuts, chopped
  • 1 small handful flat-leaf (italian) parsley, washed and chopped
  • 1 small handful mint, washed and chopped
  • Carbohydrate 50 g(17%)
  • Fat 152 g(234%)
  • Fiber 13 g(53%)
  • Protein 25 g(50%)
  • Saturated Fat 19 g(94%)
  • Sodium 1357 mg(57%)
  • Calories 1605

Preparation For the dressing, first soak the bread in water for 5 minutes. Drain the bread, then place in a blender with the almonds, garlic, vinegar, and 1/2 cup of the olive oil. Gradually add the cold water and blend on high for 30 seconds, or until a smooth purée forms. Add salt to taste, then set aside in a bowl until serving time. Preheat the oven to 350°F On the stove, heat a ridged grill pan or grill to high, until slightly smoky. Coat the cut sides of the zucchini pieces with 1/3 cup of the olive oil. Place them on the ridged grill pan and cook them, turning now and then, until they are branded all over. Place on a baking tray and finish in the oven for another 3–5 minutes-you want to cook them through, but leave a bit of texture and crunch to the zucchini. Once cooked, set aside and keep warm. Place the nuts and remaining olive oil in a small saucepan over medium heat and warm through until fragrant. Transfer the nuts to a bowl, then season with the paprika and salt to taste. To assemble the dish, place the warm zucchini in a large mixing bowl, along with the herbs and nuts, and stir gently to combine. Season with salt to taste and freshly ground black pepper if needed. Dollop most of the dressing around the bottom of your serving dish, then arrange the zucchini salad on top. If desired, drizzle some more dressing on top for that creamy, nutty flavor and texture. Reprinted from Mr. Wilkinson's Well-Dressed Salads by Matt Wilkinson. © 2015 by Matt Wilkinson. Published by Black Dog & Leventhal. All rights reserved.

Preparation For the dressing, first soak the bread in water for 5 minutes. Drain the bread, then place in a blender with the almonds, garlic, vinegar, and 1/2 cup of the olive oil. Gradually add the cold water and blend on high for 30 seconds, or until a smooth purée forms. Add salt to taste, then set aside in a bowl until serving time. Preheat the oven to 350°F On the stove, heat a ridged grill pan or grill to high, until slightly smoky. Coat the cut sides of the zucchini pieces with 1/3 cup of the olive oil. Place them on the ridged grill pan and cook them, turning now and then, until they are branded all over. Place on a baking tray and finish in the oven for another 3–5 minutes-you want to cook them through, but leave a bit of texture and crunch to the zucchini. Once cooked, set aside and keep warm. Place the nuts and remaining olive oil in a small saucepan over medium heat and warm through until fragrant. Transfer the nuts to a bowl, then season with the paprika and salt to taste. To assemble the dish, place the warm zucchini in a large mixing bowl, along with the herbs and nuts, and stir gently to combine. Season with salt to taste and freshly ground black pepper if needed. Dollop most of the dressing around the bottom of your serving dish, then arrange the zucchini salad on top. If desired, drizzle some more dressing on top for that creamy, nutty flavor and texture. Reprinted from Mr. Wilkinson's Well-Dressed Salads by Matt Wilkinson. © 2015 by Matt Wilkinson. Published by Black Dog & Leventhal. All rights reserved.