Zucchini Basil Salad is bright, flavourful, quick & simple to make and incredibly versatile. With flavours reminiscent of pesto it is good enough to serve alongside steak, chicken or fish, but equally good on a table of mixed small plates.

Try it with pastry olives, no-mayo potato salad, loaded potato skins and salami & goats cheese bake.

A bowl of Zucchini & Basil Salad with parmesan and pine nuts

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If you think that salad is just for summer, think again. Back in December I was dining with my family at one of our favourite restaurants when I got to try one of the loveliest, simplest but also surprisingly addictive side dishes I’ve tasted for a long time.

Today I’m giving you my recreation of that dish: Zucchini Basil Salad.

The ingredients are simple but they blend together in such a way that you feel as if you’re munching on something extra special. Packed into this side salad are ribbon thin slices of zucchini, pine nuts, heaps of fresh basil leaves and extra virgin olive oil. It’s a little reminiscent of pesto… only not chopped up and with plenty of zucchini thrown into the mix.

Sliced courgette in a colander being salted

It’s a dream to eat but also quick & easy to prepare. Apart from slicing the zucchini (which can be done in a heartbeat if you have a mandolin cutter) all there is to do is tenderly toss the ingredients together with your hands right before serving.

We had this salad as part of a selection of small plates at Polpo (Covent Garden, London). The menu for this restaurant has a few classics, but numerous variations as the seasons change. We have been back time after time since it opened in 2009. First as a couple. Later as a family. Staff are always especially kind to children. Go if you get the chance.

Ingredients for Zucchini Basil Salad in a bowl before being tossed together.

Though great as part of a mix of plates, Zucchini Basil Salad is not out of place as a side serving to chicken, fish or a hearty steak.

Alternatively, turn it into a lunchbowl by adding some (or all) of the following:

Cooked chicken
Crispy bacon
Sliced new potatoes
Crunchy croutons

However you choose to serve it, you’re in for a treat. Zucchini Basil Salad impressively packs in flavour and can be assembled in a flash. And of course, being so very green, it just looks so healthy, cheerful and utterly inviting.

More noteworthy salad recipes

Have you tried my other salad recipes? Here are a handful of my favourites:

If you have made this zucchini basil salad please leave a review to let me know if you enjoyed it.

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