Imagine a dish that captures the essence of summer in every single bite – light, fresh, and bursting with flavor! Our Summer Squash Caprese Noodle Salad is about to revolutionize your summer dining experience, transforming ordinary vegetables into a restaurant-worthy masterpiece that will make your taste buds dance with joy. This no-cook recipe is not just a salad; it's a culinary adventure that combines the creamy richness of mozzarella, the sweet tang of balsamic glaze, and the garden-fresh crunch of spiralized summer squash.
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: -
Total Time: 20 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 2 medium summer squashes, spiralized
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup mozzarella balls
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon balsamic glaze
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Wash the summer squashes thoroughly under cool running water to remove any dirt or debris.
- Using a spiralizer, create long, thin noodle-like strands from the summer squashes. If you don't have a spiralizer, you can use a vegetable peeler to create long ribbons.
- Place the squash noodles in a large mixing bowl and gently pat dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
- Halve the cherry tomatoes by cutting them vertically, ensuring even and consistent size.
- Drain the mozzarella balls if they are stored in liquid, and pat them dry with a paper towel.
- Wash the fresh basil leaves and pat them dry. Roughly chop the basil leaves to release their aromatic oils.
- Add the halved cherry tomatoes and mozzarella balls to the bowl with the squash noodles.
- Drizzle the olive oil evenly over the ingredients, ensuring a light and even coating.
- Sprinkle chopped fresh basil over the salad.
- Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Gently toss all ingredients to combine, being careful not to break the squash noodles.
- Drizzle balsamic glaze over the salad just before serving for an extra burst of flavor.
- Serve immediately at room temperature to enjoy the fresh and vibrant flavors.
Tips
- Spiralizer Secrets: For the best texture, pat your squash noodles dry to prevent a watery salad. If you don't have a spiralizer, a vegetable peeler works great for creating ribbons.
- Cheese Selection: Use fresh, high-quality mozzarella balls for the most authentic flavor. If possible, choose buffalo mozzarella for an extra luxurious touch.
- Herb Handling: Chop basil just before adding to the salad to preserve its vibrant flavor and prevent wilting.
- Serving Suggestion: This salad is best served immediately at room temperature to maintain the perfect texture and maximize flavor.
- Make-Ahead Tip: You can prepare the ingredients separately and assemble just before serving to keep the squash noodles crisp and fresh.
- Customization: Feel free to add grilled chicken or shrimp for a more substantial meal, or sprinkle some toasted pine nuts for extra crunch.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 171kcal
Carbohydrates: g
Protein: g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 15mg