Shaved zucchini salad with walnuts is a quick & easy side. Fresh vegetables, nuts and seeds are finished with a bright drizzle of lemon juice.
If you want a healthy, fast salad that tastes fresh and looks attractive, this shaved zucchini salad is a perfect choice. It takes just minutes to prepare and uses simple, everyday ingredients. The key is shaving the zucchini into thin ribbons, which makes the texture delicate and pleasant while keeping the vegetables raw and crisp.
If you haven’t tried raw zucchini before, shaving it or using a spiralizer transforms its flavor and texture. Combine the zucchini ribbons with ripe tomatoes, thinly sliced onion and carrot ribbons, then scatter walnuts and seeds on top. Finish with freshly squeezed lemon juice and a light pinch of salt for a bright, clean taste. For a heartier option, crumble some feta or drizzle extra virgin olive oil before serving.
Why this salad works
This salad balances crisp, raw vegetables with crunchy nuts and seeds, creating layers of texture and a mix of fresh flavors. Lemon brightens the dish and prevents the zucchini from tasting bland. It’s ideal as a quick side for grilled meats, a light lunch, or a colorful addition to a picnic or potluck.
Ingredient substitutions
- Salt – Use regular table salt if you don’t have pink Himalayan salt, or omit it entirely for a lower-sodium version.
- Mixed seeds – Use any seeds you like: sunflower, pumpkin, or flax. If you prefer not to use seeds, leave them out.
- Black sesame seeds – White sesame seeds work just as well and are milder in flavor.
- Basil – Fresh parsley or cilantro are good alternatives depending on the flavor profile you prefer.
Good to know
- This salad is suitable for vegetarians, vegans and Paleo diets when you skip cheese and choose compliant seeds and salt.
- It is raw and gluten-free, making it a versatile side for many dietary preferences.
- If you want to boost flavor, drizzle a little extra virgin olive oil or add crumbled feta if dairy is acceptable.
- If you have a spiralizer, you can use it to create zucchini noodles instead of shaved ribbons.
Shaved Zucchini Salad with Walnuts
10 minutes
10 minutes
2 (as a side)
Julia
Ingredients
- 1 carrot
- 1 small onion
- 2 medium tomatoes (or 1 cup cherry tomatoes)
- 1 zucchini (about 180 g)
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
- Fresh basil leaves
- 1/2 lemon
- Pinch of salt (optional)
- 1/4 cup mixed seeds (sunflower, pumpkin, etc.)
- 1 tablespoon black sesame seeds (or white sesame)
Instructions
- Wash the zucchini. Use a potato peeler to shave long, thin ribbons of zucchini and arrange them on a serving plate.
- Wash and cut the tomatoes to your preferred size—halves, quarters or bite-sized pieces—and add them to the plate.
- Peel the carrot and use the peeler to create thin carrot ribbons, then add them to the salad.
- Peel the onion and slice it into thin rings. Scatter them over the vegetables.
- Chop the walnuts roughly and sprinkle them over the salad along with mixed seeds and sesame seeds.
- Squeeze the juice of half a lemon over the salad, season lightly with salt if desired, and garnish with fresh basil leaves.
- Toss gently before serving. If you like, finish with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil or a sprinkle of crumbled feta.
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 22 g,
Protein: 8 g,
Fat: 16 g.
Vitamin A: 6315 IU,
Vitamin C: 54.6 mg
Nutrition information is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator and can vary based on ingredient brands, substitutions, and portion sizes.
Salad
American
Leave a comment below and let us know how it turned out.
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