Light Ina Garten Fresh Zucchini With Lemon & Mint Recipe

Fresh zucchini transforms ordinary side dishes into vibrant culinary experiences bursting with Mediterranean flair.

Summer gardens overflow with these slender green vegetables waiting to become something spectacular.

Each slice carries potential for bright, refreshing flavors that dance across your palate.

Crisp and tender textures emerge through simple preparation techniques that highlight natural ingredients.

Delicate herbs like mint complement the mild vegetable’s subtle earthiness, creating unexpected depth.

Lemon adds a zesty spark that cuts through richness and awakens every bite.

Home cooks adore this quick recipe for its elegant simplicity and crowd-pleasing charm: you’ll want seconds!

Why Fresh Zucchini With Lemon & Mint Is So Refreshing

• Elevate Raw Zucchini: This recipe transforms simple zucchini into a gourmet side dish by julienning it into delicate, elegant strands that absorb the bright, zesty vinaigrette perfectly.
• Burst of Fresh Flavors: The combination of tangy lemon, fresh mint, and nutty Parmesan creates a vibrant, refreshing taste profile that makes vegetables exciting and irresistible.
• Super Quick Preparation: With just four simple steps and minimal cooking, this dish comes together in less than 15 minutes, making it ideal for busy home cooks who want maximum flavor with minimal effort.

Everything You’ll Need for Ina’s Zucchini Side

• Zucchini: Delicate vegetable with a mild flavor, best when fresh and firm with smooth skin.

• Lemon Juice, Olive Oil: Bright and tangy base for creating a light, refreshing vinaigrette that enhances the zucchini's natural taste.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that balance and elevate the overall flavor profile of the dish.

• Fresh Mint, Parmesan Cheese: Aromatic herb that adds a cool, fresh note and hard cheese that provides a salty, rich complexity to the salad.

How to Make Zucchini With Lemon Brightness

Step 1: Prepare Zucchini Strands

Grab a mandoline and carefully slice zucchini lengthwise into thin strands. Use a hand guard or kitchen towel to protect your fingers. Place zucchini strands in a colander and sprinkle with salt. Let it sit for 5 minutes to release excess moisture.

Step 2: Create Zesty Vinaigrette

• Fresh lemon juice
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Black pepper

Set the vinaigrette aside to let flavors meld.

Step 3: Drain And Dry Zucchini

Gently pat zucchini strands dry using paper towels. Remove as much moisture as possible to ensure a crisp texture.

Step 4: Combine Salad Ingredients

• Chopped fresh mint
• Grated Parmesan cheese

Toss ingredients gently to create an even coating.

Step 5: Garnish And Serve

• Fresh mint
• Shaved Parmesan
• Cracked black pepper

Serve at room temperature to enhance the vibrant flavors.

Tips for Cooking Zucchini Without Getting Soggy

• Zap Out Moisture: Salt the zucchini slices and let them sit for 5-10 minutes to draw out excess water, ensuring a crisp and flavorful final dish.
• Pick Peak Produce: Select firm, vibrant green zucchinis without blemishes or soft spots for the most delicious results and maximum freshness.
• Dress with Precision: Whisk the vinaigrette thoroughly and taste before adding to guarantee a balanced blend of tangy lemon and bright mint flavors.
• Chill or Warm: This versatile recipe works wonderfully at room temperature or slightly chilled, making it perfect for summer gatherings or quick weeknight meals.
• Herb Hack: Chop fresh mint just before adding to preserve its essential oils and maximize the herb's aromatic punch in the final presentation.

Storing Fresh Veggies with Flavor Locked In

• Preserve Fresh: Seal cooked zucchini in a glass container with a tight-fitting lid to lock in flavors and prevent moisture loss. Plastic containers work too, but glass maintains taste better.
• Batch Prep: Chop extra mint and store separately in a small sealed container. Sprinkle fresh mint over refrigerated zucchini just before serving to restore vibrant herb flavor and prevent wilting.
• Quick Reheat: Warm refrigerated zucchini gently in a skillet over medium-low heat for 2-3 minutes. Drizzle a splash of olive oil to revive texture and prevent drying out, stirring occasionally to distribute heat evenly.

Fun Pairings and Flavor Tweaks to Try

• Garden-Fresh Herbal Remix: Swap mint with freshly chopped basil and add crushed pine nuts for a Mediterranean-inspired version that brings vibrant, aromatic notes to the zucchini salad.
• Spicy Citrus Crunch: Include finely diced jalapeños and replace lemon juice with orange juice, then garnish with toasted sesame seeds for a tangy, spicy profile that adds unexpected warmth.
• Mediterranean Harmony: Mix in diced cucumber, crumbled feta cheese, and use oregano instead of mint to create a Greek-style zucchini salad with rich, complex Mediterranean flavors.
• Summer Grill Companion: Lightly grill the zucchini strands before assembling, then toss with smoked paprika and chopped chives to develop a deeper, charred essence that complements outdoor cooking.

Zucchini Recap with a Citrus Punch

Zucchini salads often pale in comparison to this Ina Garten masterpiece, which transforms humble vegetables into a culinary sensation.

Mediterranean elegance radiates through each delicate strand of zucchini, dancing with bright lemon and fragrant mint.

Fresh ingredients create a symphony of flavors that whispers summer’s gentle embrace.

Sophisticated yet simple, this recipe showcases Garten’s genius for elevating classic ingredients.

Parmesan cheese adds luxurious depth, complementing the zucchini’s delicate texture.

You’ll discover pure culinary poetry on your plate – go ahead, share this marvel, comment with your zest, and spread deliciousness that makes taste buds sing!

Ina Garten Fresh Zucchini With Lemon & Mint Recipe

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4.6 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s fresh zucchini with lemon and mint offers a delightful Mediterranean-inspired side dish. Simple ingredients combine to create a refreshing summer salad that highlights zucchini’s delicate flavor with bright citrus and aromatic herbs.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 4 medium zucchini / courgettes, unpeeled, ends trimmed

Seasoning and Flavor Enhancers:

• 1 tablespoon (15g) kosher salt (UK: 15g coarse sea salt)
• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) freshly squeezed lemon juice (1–2 lemons)
• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) good olive oil
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Garnish and Cheese:

• 3 tablespoons (10 grams) julienned fresh mint leaves
• 2 tablespoons (15 grams) freshly grated Italian Parmesan cheese
• Shaved Italian Parmesan cheese, for serving

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Instructions

1. Prepare zucchini by using a mandoline with the finest julienne setting to slice lengthwise into delicate, translucent strands. Exercise caution with the sharp blade, using a protective hand guard or kitchen towel to prevent injuries.
2. Place zucchini strands in a large colander, generously sprinkle with of kosher salt, and allow to drain for 5-7 minutes to extract excess moisture.
3. Create a vibrant vinaigrette by whisking together fresh lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, salt, and ½ teaspoon (2.5 grams) freshly ground black pepper in a small mixing bowl until thoroughly combined.
4. Gently pat zucchini strands dry using clean paper towels, removing all excess liquid to ensure a crisp texture.
5. Transfer the dried zucchini to a spacious, shallow serving dish, then delicately drizzle with the prepared vinaigrette, ensuring even coating.
6. Sprinkle of finely chopped fresh mint leaves and grated Parmesan cheese over the zucchini, tossing carefully to distribute ingredients evenly.
7. Garnish the dish with an additional tablespoon (15 grams) of mint, freshly cracked black pepper, and decorative shavings of Parmesan cheese.
8. Allow the salad to rest at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving to enhance flavor melding and achieve optimal taste profile.

Notes

• Savor fresh zucchini, lemons, and mint at peak ripeness to unlock vibrant, crisp flavors that transform this simple salad into a memorable dish.
• Sprinkle salt on zucchini slices and let them rest, drawing out excess moisture and concentrating the vegetable’s natural sweetness.
• Gently pat zucchini dry with paper towels, ensuring a perfect texture that allows the bright vinaigrette to cling beautifully.
• Adjust vinaigrette by tasting and tweaking, balancing tangy lemon with a pinch of salt until the dressing sings with bright, harmonious notes.
• Allow the salad to settle at room temperature, letting ingredients mingle and flavors bloom into a refreshing, irresistible summer side.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving (about 250g)
• Calories: 98 kcal
• Sugar: 5g
• Sodium: 308mg
• Fat: 8g
• Saturated Fat: 1g
• Carbohydrates: 7g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 2g
• Cholesterol: 0mg