**Savor the Vibrant Flavors of Summer with a Refreshing Trio of Salads: Cactus, Zucchini, and Red Pepper**
As the sun shines brightly and the days grow longer, it's time to embrace the bounty of summer's harvest. Indulge in a culinary journey that celebrates the vibrant flavors of fresh, seasonal produce with three delectable salad recipes that are not only refreshing but also packed with nutrients. Discover the unique taste of cactus, the delicate sweetness of zucchini, and the crisp crunch of red peppers, all harmoniously combined to create a symphony of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. Get ready to elevate your summer dining experience with these delightful salads, perfect for backyard barbecues, potlucks, or light and healthy weekday meals.
CARNITAS WITH SPICY PICKLED VEGETABLES AND CACTUS SALAD
Provided by Susie Jimenez
Time 4h
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 29
Steps:
- For the pork: Melt the lard in a large pot over medium heat. Squeeze the juice from the citrus fruits into the lard along with the skins. Add the pork shoulder, bay leaf, onions and salt. Turn the heat down to medium-low, cover the pot and cook the pork, about 1 hour and 45 minutes.
- In the meantime, for the pickled vegetables: In a non-reactive pot, bring the vinegar, chiles de arbol, salt and peppercorns to a boil. Take off the heat and add the green beans, wax beans, carrots, corn, garlic and jalapenos. Chill in the refrigerator to cool down, at least 1 hour. Will hold in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
- For the cactus salad: Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat, add 2 tablespoons of the olive oil and grill the cactus paddles until soft and charred, about 10 minutes. Remove the paddles and set aside. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil and grill the scallions until just cooked, about 3 minutes. After the cactus and scallions have cooled, dice them up and mix with the tomatoes, chile and lime juice. Season with salt and pepper and reserve.
- After the pork has been cooking and is soft, turn the heat up to medium-high and add the cola. Cook until the pork caramelizes, 15 to 20 minutes.
- To assemble the carnitas, strain a spoonful of the pork from the fat and serve on a warm corn tortilla. Garnish with the pickled vegetables, the cactus salad and lime wedges.
GRILLED ZUCCHINI PEPPER SALAD
Provided by Ruth Cousineau
Categories Salad Appetizer Side Quick & Easy Backyard BBQ Lunch Vinegar Bell Pepper Summer Grill Grill/Barbecue Healthy Gourmet Vegan Vegetarian Pescatarian Dairy Free Wheat/Gluten-Free Peanut Free Tree Nut Free Soy Free Kosher
Yield Makes 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Prepare grill for direct-heat cooking over medium-hot charcoal (medium-high heat for gas); see Grilling Procedure , or heat a 2-burner grill pan over medium heat until hot.
- Toss vegetables with 2 tablespoon oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Grill, turning occasionally, until tender, 6 to 8 minutes total. If using grill pan, grill in batches, 10 to 15 minutes per batch. Transfer peppers to a bowl and let stand, covered, 10 minutes. Peel peppers and cut into 1-inch pieces. Cut zucchini crosswise into 1-inch pieces.
- Whisk together vinegar, brown sugar, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/8 teaspoon pepper, and remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a large bowl. Stir in vegetables and basil. Let stand 15 minutes for flavors to blend.
JICAMA, ZUCCHINI AND RED PEPPER SALAD
Toss a fresh and colorful salad in minutes!
Provided by Betty Crocker Kitchens
Categories Side Dish
Time 20m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- In small jar with tight-fitting lid, shake dressing ingredients.
- In large bowl, mix zucchini, bell pepper and jicama. Pour dressing over mixture; stir gently.
- Arrange lettuce on 4 individual salad plates or large serving platter. Spoon salad mixture over lettuce.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 140, Carbohydrate 9 g, Cholesterol 0 mg, Fat 2, Fiber 3 g, Protein 1 g, SaturatedFat 1 1/2 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 160 mg, Sugar 3 g, TransFat 0 g
ZUCCHINI AND RED PEPPER SALAD (GREECE)
Make and share this Zucchini and Red Pepper Salad (Greece) recipe from Food.com.
Provided by Sydney Mike
Categories Peppers
Time 25m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Cut both ends off each small zucchini, then core, seed & thinly slice the red bell pepper.
- Place zucchini & red bell pepper in boiling salted water & cook for 2 minutes, then drain & arrange on serving plate.
- Zest the lemon into long, thin strips/curls (The original recipe calls for blanching the zest for 2 minutes, but I don't.), then juice the lemon.
- Mix oil, lemon juice, chopped basil, salt, pepper & sugar.
- Pour over vegetables while they are still warm, then sprinkle with lemon zest & serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 219.6, Fat 20.7, SaturatedFat 2.9, Sodium 57.7, Carbohydrate 10.4, Fiber 3.8, Sugar 4.2, Protein 2.7
ZUCCHINI AND PEPPER SALAD
Make a big batch of this and eat it for 2 or 3 days in a row, as it keeps well. Sprinkle with a crumbly white cheese before serving or eat plain.
Provided by CatlingMex
Categories Vegetable
Time 15m
Yield 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Peel zucchini and chop into 1/2-inch cubes or thin strips about 2 inches long. (If it is fresh and tender, peeling isn't necessary.)
- Chop or slice peppers into strips (according to what you did with the zucchini and onion; make it all similar in shape).
- Stir together zucchini, peppers, and onion.
- In a jar with a tight lid, make dressing by shaking vinegar, oil, and sugar.
- Pour dressing over veggies and toss gently.
- Cover and chill a few hours or overnight.
- Stir before serving with a slotted spoon so that the excess dressing runs off.
SOUTHWESTERN CACTUS SALAD
A delicious spicy salad, made from tender cactus, tomatoes, onions, jalapenos, cilantro, and lemons. This is hot and spicy, so beware!
Provided by Lupe Burke
Categories Salad Vegetable Salad Recipes
Time 1h5m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- In a medium size mixing bowl, combine cactus, tomatoes, onions, jalapenos and cilantro. Squeeze the juice from both lemons over the mixture. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Sprinkle with garlic salt (if you'd like) and serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 30 calories, Carbohydrate 8.2 g, Fat 0.3 g, Fiber 3.6 g, Protein 1.7 g, Sodium 130.6 mg, Sugar 1.9 g
Tips:
- Choose the right cactus: Look for tender and young cactus pads. Avoid pads that are too thick or have a lot of spines.
- Prepare the cactus properly: To remove the spines, use a sharp knife to cut off the edges of the cactus pads. Then, use a vegetable peeler to remove the thin layer of skin.
- Cook the cactus thoroughly: Cactus can be cooked in a variety of ways, including boiling, roasting, or grilling. Make sure to cook it until it is tender.
- Use fresh zucchini: Fresh zucchini is best for this salad. If you don't have fresh zucchini, you can use frozen zucchini that has been thawed and drained.
- Roast the red peppers: Roasting the red peppers gives them a smoky and slightly sweet flavor. You can roast the peppers in the oven or on a grill.
- Use a good quality olive oil: A good quality olive oil will help to enhance the flavors of the salad.
- Season the salad to taste: Season the salad with salt, pepper, and any other desired seasonings. You can also add a squeeze of lemon juice or a drizzle of balsamic vinegar.
Conclusion:
This cactus, zucchini, and red pepper salad is a delicious and healthy side dish that is perfect for summer gatherings. The cactus adds a unique and slightly tangy flavor to the salad, while the zucchini and red peppers add sweetness and crunch. The salad is also very versatile and can be easily customized to your liking. For example, you could add other vegetables, such as tomatoes, cucumbers, or corn. You could also add a protein source, such as grilled chicken or shrimp. No matter how you choose to make it, this salad is sure to be a hit!
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