Roasted Zucchini Mexican Salad
3 medium zucchini
2 ears corn
2 cans black beans, rinsed and drained well
1 cup cooked brown rice (optional)
2 cups fresh diced tomatoes
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1/2 cup diced red onion
1 jalapeno pepper, minced (or use canned green chilies)
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 cup chopped cilantro
1 avocado, diced
Zest of one lime
Juice of 2 limes
Cut zucchini in half lengthwise. Cut each half lengthwise again. Then cut in 1/2 – 3/4 inch chunks. Place in a large bowl and sprinkle with Mrs. Dash Chipotle seasoning or other no-salt seasoning of choice. Mix thoroughly with your hands until each piece is lightly coated. Spread out on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper making sure no pieces are over-lapping. Bake at 425 degrees for 15 – 20 minutes until they start to brown. Let cool before adding to salad.
Cut corn off ears and place in the bowl you used for the zucchini. Add remaining ingredients. When zucchini has cooled, add to salad. Mix well. Add more lime or lemon juice and salt to taste if desired.
This salad is also delicious using raw zucchini. I only use 2 zucchini and I use the dice blade of the Vidalia Chop Wizard. Cut the whole zucchini in 3 sections then lay each section on the chopper screen and chop. This makes a fun perfect shape for the salad. Mix in all remaining ingredients as above.
Mediterranean Zucchini Salad
This is an easy and delicious salad that is great for hot summer days. For a Mexican flare, use black beans instead of kidney, avocado instead of olives, use Mexican seasonings and use rice vinegar instead of balsamic vinegar.
1/2 cup quinoa or millet, uncooked
3 zucchini, chopped (approx. 4 cups)
1/2 cup finely chopped red onion
2 cups raw corn, fresh off the cob
2 cans kidney beans or garbanzo beans, drained (or 1 can of each)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 red bell pepper, chopped
2 medium tomatoes, chopped
1 can black olives, finely chopped
1 cup fresh basil, chopped
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
Sea salt and pepper
Boil 1 cup water in small saucepan. Add quinoa and cook 15 – 20 minutes until tender. Let cool. Place remaining ingredients in a large salad bowl. Mix in cooled grain and salt and pepper to taste.