Minted Courgette Salad Food

COURGETTE SALAD WITH MINT, GARLIC, RED CHILLI, LEMON & EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL

Steps:

• This is quite an unusual salad and terribly simple to make. It's great because it's a nice little side dish that will go with things like mozzarella, goat's cheese, cured meats, grilled or barbecued white fish like cod or haddock, even things like chicken or pork. Use courgettes when at their best (nice and firm and not too big).
• Slice 4 courgettes lengthways as thin as you can (use a mandolin if you have one). Grill on a red-hot griddle pan, or on the barbecue, until lightly charred on each side. Scatter the slices over a large plate, making sure you don't sit them on top of each other otherwise they'll steam and go a bit limp, and there's nothing worse than limp courgettes, I can tell you. While they're still warmish, sprinkle them with a little sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.
• Deseed a red chilli and chop finely. Finely chop ½ a clove of garlic and sprinkle the chilli and garlic evenly from a height over the courgettes. (Add to your own taste, but just remember that when the chilli and garlic mix with the olive oil and lemon juice the heat and flavours are lessened.)
• Tear over a handful of fresh mint and drizzle with good extra virgin olive oil and a squeeze of lemon. I've even been known to throw in some blanched broad beans or raw peas if I can get any. This salad is always a real treat.
• P.S. If you find yourself with leftovers, try baking any fish fillets (cod, haddock or bass for example) on top of the courgettes. Lovely with steamed rice and seasoned yoghurt. Very fresh and good for you.

COURGETTE, FETA & MINT SALAD

Steps:

• Peel the courgettes into long ribbons with a potato peeler. Arrange with the rocket on a large platter. Scatter over the feta and mint leaves, and drizzle on your favourite dressing.

GRIDDLED COURGETTE SALAD WITH MOZZARELLA AND MINT

Steps:

• Brush the courgettes with olive oil and cook them in batches on a hot griddle or under a grill until just tender (2-3 minutes per side). Keep the cooked slices warm and covered until they are all done.
• Combine all of the dressing ingredients in a bowl and season well.
• Divide the courgette, mozzarella, pickled lemon and mint between 6 plates.
• Pour over the dressing and serve with crusty bread for mopping up the juice.

MINTED ZUCCHINI SALAD

Steps:

• Cut tomato into 1/4-inch dice and transfer to a small bowl. In another small bowl whisk together lemon juice, oil, and salt and pepper to taste.
• In a food processor finely chop mint and parsley. Replace chopping blade with shredding disk and shred zucchini over herbs. Transfer mixture to a large bowl. Drizzle three fourths vinaigrette over zucchini and toss with salt and pepper to taste. Pour off any juices from diced tomato and toss tomato with remaining vinaigrette and salt and pepper to taste. Divide zucchini salad among 4 plates, mounding it, and make an indentation in center of each mound. Fill indentations with tomatoes and garnish with mint.