This raw zucchini salad recipe is marinated in fresh lemon juice, olive oil and garlic and chili, and served with crunchy toasted chickpeas, sweet roasted corn and Parmesan cheese.
Slice the zucchini very thin (¼") using a knife, vegetable peeler or a mandolin
Combine the olive oil, garlic, fresh lemon juice and crushed red pepper in a bowl. Add the sliced zucchini and stir to coat all sides.
Refrigerate for 6 hours. Remove and let sit at room temperature for the last 30 minutes. Drain any excess liquid (reserving 2-3 tablespoons)
Combine the zucchini, corn, Parmesan cheese and toasted chickpeas in a large bowl and serve. Mix in the reserved liquid if the salad is too dry.
Toasted Chickpeas:
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Rinse and drain the can of chickpeas.
Spread them on a large baking sheet, using silicone mats or parchment paper. Drizzle them with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1 teaspoon of salt.
Roast for 20-30 minutes in a 400°F oven, mixing every 10 minutes, until light brown and crunchy. Remove from heat and let cool.
Grilled Corn:
Shuck your corn and try to remove as much of the silk as possible.
Heat your grill to a medium heat level (about 400°F) and put the corn right over the heat.
Cook for 15-20 minutes, turning every 5 minutes to ensure it doesn't burn.
Slice the kernels off the cob in a downward motion with a sharp knife.
Notes
Use a mandolin to get the zucchini sliced thin. If it is cut too thick it will not marinade thoroughly. You can also use a vegetable peeler to get thin strips.
Let the salad come to room temperature before serving. Remove from the fridge 30 minutes before serving.
Drain excess liquid from the zucchini when removing it from the fridge, reserving 2-3 tablespoons to mix in if needed after all the components are mixed together.
The grilled corn and toasted chickpeas can be made in advance for convenience.