This easy side dish is bursting with summertime flavors! Sautéed corn and zucchini mix with blistered tomatoes, lime juice, garlic and herbs. Simple and delicious!
This sauteed corn recipe, along with our favorite zucchini recipe (the BEST baked zucchini fries!), was inspired by our all-time favorite farm stand that we frequented when we lived in Utah - the one my kids used to refer to as "our farm stand". Little did the farmers know, but my family had taken full ownership of their stand.
"Our" farm stand was nothing fancy. In fact, every time we visited, I feel as though I'd taken a ride in a time machine. Old wooden crates filled with zucchini, summer squashes of every variety, the sweetest corn and ruby red tomatoes. It was all grown on the farm that stretched behind the makeshift stand.
But the produce wasn't even the best part.
Even though the rickety shelves were filled with brightly colored cloth-topped jars of homemade jams, pickles and honey, the most charming part was nestled just in front of those shelves.
There was an old metal can with a slot in the top and a removable lid, nestled up to a sign that read, "Honor System". One of the few times that I actually saw one of the owners, I asked her about it. She said that they had been using the honor system for years and not once had anyone ripped them off.
My faith in humanity was restored.
I don't get overly effusive about dishes too often and am typically not prone to exaggeration, so I hope you'll believe me when I say this:
This is one of the best flippin' summer side dishes I've ever made! I think it's that simplicity that makes me love this side dish so much. Each flavor shines and they complement each other without overtaking any other in the mixture.
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Ingredients for sautéed corn salad
- CORN: Use the kernels from 3 cooked medium-sized corn cobs. Either boiled or grilled corn works well.
- TOMATOES: Use either cherry or grape tomatoes.
- ZUCCHINI: Diced the zucchini into ¾-inch pieces.
- GARLIC: One large garlic cloves, minced.
- LIME JUICE: Use fresh lime juice.
- OLIVE OIL: Just a splash of olive oil for sauteing the veggies.
See recipe card below for full ingredients list & recipe directions.
Substitutions
Other vegetables: Brown some onions before adding the other vegetables. Or try green onions. Bell peppers, summer squash and spinach are all great additions.
Make it a vegetarian entrée: To make this a vegetarian entrée, try adding black beans, chickpeas, grilled halloumi or tofu.
Make it a non-veggie entrée: Grilled shrimp, shredded chicken or cooked ground turkey can easily turn this recipe into a hearty dinner.
💙 What's to love about sautéed zucchini and corn:
FRESH & DELICIOUS! The flavors of fresh corn, zucchini and tomatoes are everything that is good about summertime cooking.
QUICK & EASY: This recipe takes mere minutes to cook, and the ingredients list is so simple. A few veggies, olive oil, lime juice and seasoning. That's it!
VERSATILE: Serve this easy side dish "as is" or turn it into a main dish by adding beans, grilled shrimp or cooked ground turkey.
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How to make sautéed corn and blistered tomatoes
HEAT THE OIL: Set a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and allow it to heat.
SAUTE THE ZUCCHINI: Add the zucchini to the skillet and cook for a few minutes, stirring frequently.
CORN & TOMATOES: Next, add the corn kernels and cherry tomatoes. After a couple of minutes, the tomato skins should start to split and shrivel slightly.
ADD THE GARLIC: Stir in the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds. Avoid burning the garlic, which turns it bitter.
ADD THE REST: Remove the pan from the heat. Stir in the cilantro, lime juice, salt and pepper. Taste a forkful and adjust the seasoning, if necessary.
SERVE: Serve hot or at room temperature.
How to serve this zucchini side dish:
- Serve it as a side dish throughout the summer, or snack on it as a light lunch.
- Alternatively, let the dish cool and take it to the next potluck to serve as a salad. It may need an extra squeeze of lime juice and/or drizzle of olive oil before serving.
- Use it as a salsa and serve it on top of grilled salmon, grilled pork chops or grilled chicken.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! You can customize the dish by adding other vegetables to the sautéed corn, zucchini, and tomatoes. Bell peppers, onions, or even mushrooms would make great additions. Simply adjust the cooking time accordingly based on the vegetables you choose.
While sautéed corn, zucchini, and tomatoes are best enjoyed freshly cooked, you can make it in advance and reheat it later. Keep in mind that the texture may slightly change upon reheating, and the vegetables may become softer. Reheat the dish in a skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through.
To store leftovers of sautéed corn, zucchini, and tomatoes, allow the dish to cool completely and then transfer it to an airtight container. Refrigerate the leftovers for up to 3-4 days. When reheating, use a skillet or microwave until heated through.
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Sautéed Corn, Zucchini and Blistered Tomatoes
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 2 cups ¾-inch diced zucchini about ¾ lb.
- 3 medium ears corn cooked & kernels cut off (about 2 cups)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 1 tablespoon minced cilantro
- 1 teaspoon fresh lime juice
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon ground pepper
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large nonstick skillet set over medium-high heat.
- Add the zucchini and cook, stirring frequently, for 3 minutes. Stir in the corn and cherry tomatoes and cook until the tomato skins are starting to split and shrivel, about 2 minutes.
- Add the garlic and cook, stirring constantly, for additional 30 seconds.
- Remove from the heat and stir in the cilantro, lime juice, salt and pepper. Serve.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
This was originally post on August 6, 2014, and was updated on June 19, 2023.
Disclosure: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
cyni
We had this as the side dish to our salmon last night and I loved it.
Very flavorful - I followed your recipe exactly and glad I did. I love the addition of lime juice - very subtle but really adds to it.
Will be making on repeat for sure.
Thanks for this great recipe.
anonymous
I happened to have all the ingredients, so I made this last night to use them up. I had fresh basil and a jar of peeled garlic cloves. It was SO GOOD I ate the whole pan and didn't even bother with a 'main course'. Next time I will use cilantro and lime. As delicious as it was pretty to look at.
Frances
Good side dish and pretty too. I added some green onion and one jalapeno pepper. Left overs nice in making a "bowl" with these veggies and beans etc. riced cauliflower or a grain.
Camryn
I live in Ohio, US. I was looking for something different to do with zucchini and found this recipe. This is a delicious dish! Using fresh ingredients is key. I did add a bit more garlic and cilantro. I will definitely makee this dish again and again.
Dara
I'm so glad to hear that, Camryn! A little extra garlic and cilantro is always a good thing.
Kevin @ Closet Cooking
This just screams summer and looks amazing!
shelly (cookies and cups)
This is the type of dish I could eat all day long!