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Don’t know what to do with that last zucchini?
Even if you have half a zucchini left, you can make Zucchini Carpaccio for yourself. Zucchini Carpaccio is a play on regular beef carpaccio, thin-shaved slices of prime tenderloin, topped with Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, salt, freshly ground black pepper, a good squeeze of lemon and a generous drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil.
Instead of beef, we’re using thin-sliced raw zucchini, and we’ll brighten up the dish with feta cheese, nuts and fresh herbs.
Below, there are so many ideas to customize this recipe to make this your own.
Tips for Zucchini Carpaccio
- It’s easiest to use a mandoline slicer – our favorite brand is Mueller, an Austrian brand with really good quality blades. Don’t buy the cheap knock-offs – the blades on those do not stay sharp.
- Use a good quality extra virgin olive oil – all the ingredients are raw, and you’ll really want a buttery, rich olive oil.
- Cheese – use what you have in the refrigerator! Fresh mozzarella, goat cheese, shaved Parmigiano Reggiano all work great.
- Nuts – totally optional, but we love the crunch! Chop whatever nuts you’d like finely.
- Fresh herbs – again, optional. Use your favorite – basil, thyme, oregano, dill, all are amazing. No fresh herbs? I also love a light sprinkling of smoked paprika. Our favorite is the fronds of a fennel plant. Most people throw this away! Pinch some of the fronds and its deliciously licorice and anise flavor is intoxicating.
Other ingredients that you can add to Zucchini Carpaccio
This is the fun part! Be creative and raid your refrigerator!
- Chopped tomatoes
- 2 handfuls of baby arugula or mixed greens
- Julienned salami or proscuitto
- Julienned banana peppers
- Julienned roasted bell peppers
- Shaved hearts of palm (just slice as thin as you can)
- Serve with a side of toasted baguette
- Use a vegetable peeler and peel long shavings of stalk of thick asparagus
- Thinly sliced smoked salmon
- Crumbled bacon
In the spirit of Buddha Bowl cooking – the ingredients are flexible. We want you to use what’s in your refrigerator and pantry. This is a perfect dish to use up that last zucchini hiding in the drawer.
For best results, use a mandoline slicer or your food processor. Don’t have either? Use a vegetable peeler and peel super-thin slices. You can even peel “ribbons.”
Make it a bigger salad by piling on a handful of baby arugula or mixed greens.
Course:
Appetizer, Salad
Cuisine:
American, Italian
Keyword:
buddabowl, buddha bowl, leftovers, zucchini
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 159 kcal
:
-
2
zucchini -
1/4
cup
chopped nuts
walnuts, pecan, pine nuts, slivered almonds -
1/4
cup
crumbled or shaved cheese
feta, parmesan, goat cheese, smoked gouda -
1
tablespoon
minced fresh herb
basil, tarragon, dill, oregano, mint, chives -
2
tablespoons
extra virgin olive oil -
1/2
lemon - sea salt & freshly ground black pepper
-
Thinly slice the zucchini into paper-thin slices with a mandoline slicer. Arrange the zucchini slices slightly overlapping on a large platter.
-
Nuts are best toasted, but you can skip this step if you’re short on time. Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add the nuts, and gently toast until fragrant and lightly golden. Immediately remove from heat and sprinkle on the zucchini.
-
Sprinkle on the crumbled cheese and fresh herbs. Drizzle on the olive oil, squeeze the lemon all over and season with salt and pepper.
Nutrition Facts
Zucchini Carpaccio Recipe
Amount Per Serving
Calories 159
Calories from Fat 126
% Daily Value*
Fat 14g22%
Saturated Fat 3g19%
Cholesterol 8mg3%
Sodium 114mg5%
Potassium 325mg9%
Carbohydrates 7g2%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 4g4%
Protein 4g8%
Vitamin A 320IU6%
Vitamin C 33mg40%
Calcium 76mg8%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.