This zesty salad makes a great dish for a barbecue. If you don’t fancy eating outdoors, it makes a lovely accompaniment to a summer roast.
Ingredients
- 50ml extra-virgin olive oil, rapeseed oil or sunflower oil
- Finely grated zest and juice of 2 lemons (unwaxed, if possible)
- 6 small courgettes
- 1 fennel bulb, cored and thinly sliced, any fronds reserved to garnish
- 3 medium waxy potatoes
Method
- 1. In a large bowl, combine the oil, lemon zest and lemon juice with a generous pinch of sea salt to make a thin dressing. Using a wide vegetable peeler, peel the courgettes lengthways into thin strips. Add to the dressing along with the fennel. Fold everything together so that the dressing covers all the vegetables. (The lemon juice and salt will just ‘cook’ the courgette and soften it up.) Leave this mix to stand for a good 30 minutes, stirring halfway.
- 2. Meanwhile, cut the potatoes into bite-size pieces. Boil in plenty of salted boiling water for about 8-10 minutes or until they are just tender but in no danger of falling apart. Drain thoroughly and set aside to cool slightly.
- 3. Toss the warm potatoes with the courgette and fennel mixture, and season with black pepper. Divide between plates, garnish with any reserved fennel fronds and serve with plenty of really good rustic bread to mop up the dressing.
Nutritional info
Per serving (based on 4): 227kcals, 10.2g fat (1.5g saturated), 6.2g protein, 29.4g carbs, 4.3g sugar, trace salt
Chef's tip
You could use yellow courgettes instead but I actually think the lemon zest looks better with smaller, green varieties: the younger courgettes are, the better they taste.
Wine Recommendation
Hit exactly the right note with the lemony dressing and fresh vegetables by drinking a vibrant, citrussy Sauvignon Blanc with this one.