Aggie's Kitchen

Zucchini and Walnut Arugula Salad with Basil Vinaigrette {and $100 Food Network Store Giveaway}

(This post is sponsored by Fisher Nuts. I have been compensated for creating this recipe and for being part of the Fisher Fresh Thinker campaign. As always, all opinions are 100% my own.)
plate of arugula salad topped with walnuts and zucchini strips

We’ve entered the time of year where I am seeing requests for recipes using zucchini everywhere I turn. Zucchini seems to take over gardens, farmer’s markets and produce sections for a good part of summer and I love finding new ways to incorporate it into everyday recipes to keep things interesting.

When my kids were little, I always sliced a zucchini and sprinkled it with salt to give them as a snack on the counter while I cooked dinner. They never questioned what they were eating, and they finished up their healthy raw zucchini snack without complaining every single time (this made me so happy!!). I started eating it this way with them too and over the years started adding raw zucchini (and yellow squash) into salads more regularly. I think it makes a great healthy addition to a salad, especially when you add in some crunch from nuts and sweetness from raisins like in this Zucchini and Walnut Arugula Salad.

left picture - bag of Fisher walnut halves and pieces. right picture - zucchini strips on cutting board with knife and walnuts in backgroundWalnuts are one of my favorite nuts to throw into salads. They have a ton of flavor when roasted (or quickly toasted up in a skillet) but I find myself eating them raw more often due to a bit of laziness but more importantly for added health benefits. Whether they are roasted or raw, they are an absolute must in almost every salad I make, especially in the summer time!

plate of arugula salad topped with walnuts and zucchini strips

If you are planning a cookout this summer, this salad would be a perfect side dish to grilled fish, shrimp or chicken – or even better to offset some not so light summer grilled foods (I’m looking at you burgers, hot dogs and steaks). You can easily make the salad and the vinaigrette ahead of time and toss together right before serving. A little crumbled feta, or shaved Parmesan would be a nice way to kick up the flavor in this salad even more.

Enjoy!

Print

Zucchini and Walnut Arugula Salad with Basil Vinaigrette

  • Author: Aggie's Kitchen
  • Category: Salad
  • Method: Blender

(This post is sponsored by Fisher Nuts. I have been compensated for creating this recipe and for being part of the Fisher Fresh Thinker campaign. As always, all opinions are 100% my own.)


Ingredients

For the salad:

  • 1 4oz bag baby arugula
  • 1 large zucchini, julienned
  • 1/3 cup chopped Fisher Nuts Walnuts (raw or toasted)
  • 1/3 cup golden raisins
  • crumbled feta or shaved Parmesan, optional

For the vinaigrette:

  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/31/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • small handful of fresh basil leaves (about 12 large leaves)
  • 2 teaspoons honey
  • big pinch coarse salt and fresh ground pepper

Instructions

  1. To make the Basil Vinaigrette: Combine lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, basil, honey, salt and pepper in a blender and blend for about 30 seconds until emulsified. Set aside (on counter).
  2. To prepare salad: Place arugula on large serving plate. Top with freshly julienned zucchini, golden raisins and chopped walnuts. Dress the salad in vinaigrette (do not use all of the dressing, start with small amount and adjust to your liking) and gently toss right before serving.

Notes

Notes:ย Dried cranberries would be a tasty substitute for dried raisins, or try switching out pecans for the walnuts!

For more summer salad inspiration, check out Chef Alex Guarnaschelli’s summer salad recipes on Fisher Nuts’ website.

(This post is sponsored by Fisher Nuts. I have been compensated for creating this recipe and for being part of the Fisher Fresh Thinker campaign. As always, all opinions are 100% my own.)

 

***GIVEAWAY***

Details:

Winner will receive $100 Gift Card to the Food Network Store.

Choose from many products to create your own summer salad kit (salad bowls, utensils, and items for entertaining)!

To Enter:

Leave a comment on this blog post telling me your favorite nut to use in summer salads (i.e. walnuts, pecans, almonds). Your comment will be counted as your entry into the giveaway.

Giveaway starts Wednesday July 2, 2014 and ends Monday July 7, 2014 at 12 noon (EST). I will pick a winner randomly using the Pick Giveaway Winner tool on my blog. Winner will be contacted by me via email and will have 48 hours to reply before another winner will be selected.

(note: if you are commenting on Aggieโ€™s Kitchen for the first time, it may take some time to see your comment appear. Thanks for your patience!)

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61 comments on “Zucchini and Walnut Arugula Salad with Basil Vinaigrette {and $100 Food Network Store Giveaway}”

  1. Such a wonderful salad – love the combo of apple cider, lemon and honey in that vinaigrette!
    I think my fav nut would be almonds – with walnuts a close second!!

  2. I love finely diced toasted walnuts on my homemade salad. My favorite nut topping at a restaurant are the candied pecans at a local pizza shop…they are SO addicting!

  3. We love raw zucchini!! My son is so funny – he will pick up kale and eat it raw. This salad is gorgeous! Great photos!

  4. I like to use roasted pecans in salads, baked brie, on top of pork and in cookie recipes. So many yummy uses for pecans! Thanks for the opportunity!

    [email protected]

  5. I love pecans in salad!

  6. I have a thing for raw almonds. They’re just so good!

  7. What a BEAUTIFUL salad! I will have to see if Kay will eat that snack. Start them young!! My favorite nut to use in salads…tough one- either almonds or walnuts…oh oh and macadamia nuts. I have to pick ONE? gah- I guess walnuts ๐Ÿ™‚

  8. I love to use walnuts.

  9. I like to use walnuts in summer salads.

  10. I use sliced almonds in my salads.

  11. I can always depend on you for great salad ideas, Aggie! I absolutely love this one. I’ve been using zucchini a ton this summer and I almost always include nuts in my salads. It’s very hard to choose a favorite but I think I most commonly use walnuts because they complement both blue cheese and goat cheese so perfectly.

  12. Pecans and walnuts are always my favorite. I love when they are with a sweeter dressing too. Makes for that sweet and savory balance.

  13. Candied walnuts or pecans!

  14. I love adding toasted almonds or candied pecans (or walnuts) to my salads! I think nuts make everything better!

  15. I love to use toasted cashews in salads, but I love just about any nut!

  16. My favorite nut to use in summer salads is pecans. I have a favorite salad with spinach, pecans, grilled chicken, blue cheese, and sliced fresh strawberries.

  17. Walnuts!

  18. I like to use cashews in salads.

  19. I am all over this salad! My favorite nut to add to salads in the summer is almond!

  20. I love using pecans in my summer salads. Thanks!

  21. Oh I would add the almonds! Perfect for summer salads with fruit!

  22. I absolutely love pistachios in my summer salads. WOW, does yours look delicious!

  23. This salad looks awesome!! I love using pecans or walnuts in my salad!!

  24. I love the flavors of basil and walnuts! Almost like deconstructed pesto. YUM!

  25. Another GREAT salad recipe!! My favorite nut on salads are walnuts.

  26. My favorite nut to use in salads are almonds! I prefer slivered almonds, but any almonds will do! They are great for salads and perfect for snacking!

  27. I love thin sliced almonds, I use them on everything, salad, yogurt, fruit and in pesto. Your salad looks yummy.

  28. My favorites are pecans, almonds, and cashews.

  29. I love pecans on salad!

  30. This recipe looks awesome! My favorite nuts for salad are caramelized walnuts with any kind of fruit and soft cheese combo! Gorgonzola and pear, Strawberry and goat cheese etc the list can go on forever!

  31. I make a mean chicken salad using both almonds and pecans!

  32. I love toasting almond slices for strawberry spinach salads. Especially this time of year when strawberries are in season.

  33. My favorite nut to use in summer salads is walnuts but I love all nuts.

  34. My favorite is pecans

  35. Your salad looks lovely! I will be trying it tomorrow night with salmon! Thank you! While I do love walnuts, my absolute favorite nut to add to a salad is a pistachio. I also really love adding almonds as well.

  36. Definitely almonds.

  37. Pecans are my favorite nut. Right now, I’m thinking of a baby spinach salad with strawberries, candied pecans with a caramelized onion vinaigrette. Dessert for dinner! ๐Ÿ™‚

  38. My favorite would be walnuts

  39. I love walnuts and pecans with avocados, spinach, tomatos cucumbers, meat and cheeses..

  40. I love toasted pine nuts, smoked almonds are a close second.

  41. almonds is my fav to use i love the heartyness of it but i love walnuts also

  42. I love pecans!

  43. I make a delicious oil- free dressing blended with walnuts that we love, and also toss sliced almonds in our basic salad, and pine nuts in our arugula salad. We are nuts about nuts for added protein

  44. Love to use toasted walnuts in salads.

  45. My favorite is almonds but I have a kale salad with walnuts that is really great as well.

  46. I’m a fan of the Pee-can!

  47. I love sliced almonds on my summer salad.

  48. I love candied walnuts in a salad with any lettuce, dried cranberries, and goat or blue cheese.

  49. I love a blueberry, walnut, spinach and feta salad.

  50. I love roasted pecans on my salads, especially with apples and dried cranberries.

  51. My favorite nut to use is almonds. They are crisp and light

  52. Toasted sliced almonds are definitely my favorite nuts in any salad!

  53. I love spinach salad with pecans for some crunch!

  54. I love almonds and pecans in my salads. Most often it is almonds since I tend to have them on hand more often. I love reading your blog! It has been so helpful as I navigate my way through my CSA box each week. You have so many wonderful recopies! Thank you for sharing them!

  55. first of all, this is a gorgeous salad! pinning it!

    secondly, favorite nuts lately are pistachios!! so different and fun in a salad!

  56. I love almonds or walnuts — preferably glazed!

  57. I love spicy roasted pecans with salads.

  58. 1/4 of what for the the apple cider vinegar? (cup, tbsp…?)