Imagine a dish that transports you to the sun-drenched coastlines of the Mediterranean with every single bite - a refreshing, vibrant salad that's not just a meal, but a culinary adventure! This Mediterranean Zucchini Noodle Salad is about to revolutionize your lunch routine, offering a perfect blend of crisp zucchini noodles, juicy tomatoes, tangy feta, and a zesty dressing that will make your taste buds dance with joy. Get ready to transform your ordinary meal into an extraordinary Mediterranean experience that's both healthy and incredibly delicious!
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: -
Total Time: 15 mins
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 4 medium zucchinis, spiralized
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup olives, sliced
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Start by preparing the zucchinis. Wash them thoroughly under cold water to remove any dirt or impurities. Using a spiralizer, spiralize the zucchinis into long noodle-like strands. If you don’t have a spiralizer, you can use a vegetable peeler to create thin strips or julienne the zucchinis with a knife.
- Once the zucchinis are spiralized, place them in a large mixing bowl. This will be the base of your salad.
- Next, prepare the cherry tomatoes. Rinse them under cold water, then slice each tomato in half. Add the halved cherry tomatoes to the bowl with the zucchini noodles.
- Now, take the olives and slice them into rings. If you prefer whole olives, you can leave them as they are. Add the sliced olives to the bowl with the zucchini and tomatoes.
- For added flavor and crunch, thinly slice the red onion. You can soak the slices in cold water for a few minutes to mellow the flavor if desired. Add the red onion slices to the bowl.
- Next, crumble the feta cheese and sprinkle it over the salad mixture in the bowl. The feta will add a creamy texture and tangy flavor to the dish.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil and lemon juice to create a dressing. This will enhance the flavors of the salad and add a refreshing touch.
- Drizzle the olive oil and lemon dressing over the salad ingredients in the mixing bowl. Toss everything gently with tongs or a large spoon until all the ingredients are well combined and coated with the dressing.
- Season the salad with salt and pepper to taste. Be cautious with the salt, as the feta cheese and olives can be salty on their own.
- Once everything is combined, let the salad sit for about 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. This also helps the zucchini noodles soften slightly.
- Serve the Mediterranean Zucchini Noodle Salad immediately, or refrigerate it for up to an hour before serving for a chilled option. Enjoy this fresh and vibrant salad as a light meal or a side dish!
Tips
- Spiralizer Secrets: For the best texture, pat your zucchini noodles dry with paper towels after spiralizing to prevent a watery salad.
- Flavor Enhancing Trick: Let the salad sit for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow the dressing to slightly soften the zucchini and blend the flavors.
- Customization Options: Feel free to add grilled chicken or chickpeas for extra protein, or swap feta with goat cheese for a different flavor profile.
- Make-Ahead Magic: This salad can be prepared up to 2 hours in advance - just add the dressing right before serving to keep the zucchini crisp.
- Ingredient Quality Matters: Use fresh, high-quality olive oil and ripe cherry tomatoes for the most authentic Mediterranean taste.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 120kcal
Carbohydrates: 8g
Protein: 5g
Fat: 9g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Cholesterol: 15mg
