Raw and Roasted Courgette Salad (Zucchini)

This raw and roasted courgette salad is a true celebration of summer’s bounty. The star of the show is the humble courgette, which is used in two ways. The raw, thinly-sliced courgettes provide a fresh, crisp bite, while the roasted courgette chunks add sweet, caramelised nuttiness. Add giant couscous, feta and a delicious roasted tomato dressing and you’ve got yourself a sensational salad.

Table of Contents

• Ingredient Breakdown
• Courgette Two Ways
• Why Courgettes Get A Bad Rap (And How to Make Them Delicious)
• Roasted Tomatoes Are So Delicious
• Turning Roasted Tomatoes Into A Delicious Dressing
• Bulking Out The Salad
• How To Serve This Raw And Roasted Courgette Salad:

Ingredient Breakdown

• Cherry Tomatoes: Roasting cherry tomatoes intensifies their flavour and caramelises their juices, providing a delicious, umami-packed base for the dressing.
• Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: Essential for roasting and dressing, adding richness and depth.
• Courgettes (Zucchini): Used both raw and roasted to showcase their versatility.
• Za’atar: A Middle Eastern spice blend that adds an earthy, nutty flavour to the roasted courgettes.
• Pul Biber: Also known as Aleppo pepper, it brings a smoky, mild heat and fruity undertones.
• Garlic: Adds aromatic notes to the dressing.
• Sherry Vinegar: Adds zing to the dressing.
• Agave Nectar: Adds a subtle sweetness to the dressing, balancing the natural acidity of the tomatoes and vinegar.
• Giant Couscous: Adds a satisfying, chewy texture that makes the salad more substantial.
• Feta: Crumbled feta adds a salty, creamy element that contrasts beautifully with the sweet and tangy dressing.
• Basil: Fresh basil leaves add a bright, herbal note, lifting the overall flavour profile of the salad

Courgette Two Ways

This recipe brilliantly uses courgettes in two forms: raw and roasted. Each brings a unique element to the dish:

• Raw Courgettes: Thinly slicing the courgettes and seasoning them with salt softens them slightly, while preserving their crispness. This method highlights their fresh, delicate flavour and adds a crisp texture to the courgette salad.
• Roasted Courgettes: Roasting courgettes caramelises their natural sugars, bringing out a sweet, nutty flavour. The heat also charrs the edges, which adds huge depth of flavour, while steaming the insides, creating an almost creamy texture that contrasts beautifully with the raw courgettes.

Why Courgettes Get A Bad Rap (And How to Make Them Delicious)

Courgettes get a bad rap for being bland and watery but this doesn’t have to be the case. When prepared correctly, courgettes can actually be incredibly delicious. Here’s how this raw and roasted courgette salad makes courgettes truly shine:

• Salt Is Key: Courgettes need a good amount of salt for their flavour to truly shine. Salt is especially important for the raw courgette element in this recipe. It draws the moisture out of the sliced courgettes, which concentrates their flavour and prevents the salad from getting soggy. Generously seasoning courgettes with salt and pepper, along with spices like za’atar and pul biber, enhances their natural flavour.
• Add Seasonings: Beyond just salt, this recipe uses za’atar and pul biber, both of which elevate the flavour of the courgettes. Za’atar, with its blend of herbs, sesame seeds, and sumac, brings a tangy, nutty flavour, while pul biber adds a subtle heat and depth, making the courgettes extra delicious.
• Textural Variety: Courgettes can be a little one-dimensional, so preparing them in two ways can make a dish more exciting. On the one hand, roasting courgettes at a high temperature caramelises their natural sugars and intensifies their taste, creating a rich, sweet flavour. The raw courgettes, on the other hand, offer a fresh, crisp bite.
• The Power of a Dressing: A good dressing can make all the difference in bringing out the best in courgettes. In this case, the zingy roasted tomato dressing brightens the courgettes and provides aromatic depth, which enhances their overall flavour profile.

Roasted Tomatoes Are So Delicious

Though courgettes are undoubtedly the star of the show in this raw and roasted courgette salad, the roasted tomato dressing is a close second. Roasting cherry tomatoes totally transforms them.

• Intensified Flavour: Roasting tomatoes concentrates their flavour and makes them extra umami-packed and delicious.
• Texture: Roasted tomatoes become soft and jammy, perfect for creating a luscious, flavorful dressing.
• Caramelised Juices: As the tomatoes roast, their juices caramelise, forming a sweet, tangy base for the dressing that infuses the entire salad with rich tomato flavour.

Turning Roasted Tomatoes Into A Delicious Dressing

The roasted cherry tomatoes provide a rich, umami-packed base for the dressing. You simply need to add:

• Garlic: Grating fresh garlic into the warm tomatoes allows it to mellow slightly, infusing the dressing with garlicky notes without overpowering the other flavours.
• Sherry Vinegar and Agave Nectar: These ingredients add acidity and sweetness respectively, creating a complex, well-rounded flavour.

Bulking Out The Salad

To make this raw and roasted courgette salad extra filling, we’re using giant couscous, which is also known as pearl couscous. It’ss often mistaken for a grain, but it’s actually a type of pasta:

• Texture: Giant couscous has a chewy, slightly bouncy texture that holds up well in salads and absorbs flavours beautifully.
• Cooking: It cooks quickly, much like traditional pasta, but has a heartier texture that makes it perfect for adding substance to salads.
• Versatility: Its neutral flavour makes it a great canvas for absorbing the bold flavours of the roasted tomato dressing.

How To Serve This Raw And Roasted Courgette Salad:

While this salad is delightful as-is, I like to serve it alongside some kind of protein. It would pair beautifully with any of these recipes:

• Simple Lemon Chicken
• Chicken Kebabs
• Spicy Coriander Chicken
• Herby Confit Garlic Butter Steak
• Black Garlic Honey Lime Salmon
• Olive Salsa Salmon

Other creative ways to serve this salad include:

• Topped with Nuts or Seeds: Add a handful of toasted pine nuts, almonds, or pumpkin seeds for extra crunch and nutritional value.
• On a Bed of Greens: Serve the salad on a bed of mixed greens or rocket (arugula) for added freshness and to bulk it up further.

In conclusion, this Roasted and Raw Courgette Salad truly is a celebration of summer’s bounty, combining fresh, vibrant ingredients into a dish that’s both comforting and elegant. Whether you serve it as a side dish, main course or appetiser, it’s sure to impress. Enjoy making and sharing this delightful recipe with family and friends, and watch as even the most ardent courgette sceptics become converts!