Summer Squash Carpaccio with Arugula, Pecorino, and Almonds
Original recipe from Sur La Table.
Serves: Serves 4
Ingredients:
- ¼ cup sliced almonds, toasted
- 1 pound small zucchini, preferably a mix of green and yellow varieties, no more than 5 inches long
- 2½ tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1½ tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 small clove garlic, minced to a paste
- Kosher or sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 2 handfuls of arugula (about 3 ounces)
- Chunk of medium-aged pecorino cheese, for shaving
Procedures:
Long, straight-sided summer squashes like green and yellow zucchini look like wide ribbons when shaved for this salad. A rest in a garlicky vinaigrette renders them supple, so they can be tossed with arugula and shavings of salty cheese.
Preheat the oven to 350°
- Toast the almonds on a baking sheet until golden brown and fragrant, 10 to 15 minutes. Let cool.
- Trim the ends of the zucchini. With a mandoline or other manual vegetable slicer, or a vegetable peeler, shave the zucchini thinly lengthwise. Discard the first and last slices of each squash, which are mostly skin. Put the zucchini ribbons in a large bowl.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and salt to taste. Add the dressing to the shaved zucchini and toss with your hands to coat it evenly. Taste and add more salt if necessary. Let stand for 5 minutes to allow the zucchini to soften. May leave longer depending on softness desired.
- Add the arugula to the zucchini. With a cheese plane or vegetable peeler, shave about 3 ounces of cheese, or as much as you like, into the bowl. Add several grinds of black pepper, then toss gently with your hands. Transfer the salad to a serving platter, leaving any watery juices behind. Top with the toasted almonds. Serve immediately.
- Feel free to improvise with various greens, cheese or nuts. A very versatile recipe.
