This raw salad pairs fresh, crisp zucchini and yellow squash with a spicy Thai dressing for a dish that will catch your tastebuds by surprise.
I've never been one for raw zucchini, or raw squash of any kind for that matter. This salad changed all of that. I don't remember what actually inspired me to make this salad, considering that the raw ingredients didn't actually appeal to me. But that doesn't really matter now, because all I can think of when I remember this salad is fresh, crunchy summertime vegetables, punctuated by a spicy savory Thai dressing.
I decided to cut the vegetables into matchstick-like pieces, but you could just as easily dice them. Either will work. Just be sure to do the same to all of the vegetables to maintain a consistent texture across the salad. In other words, it's matchsticks for all or dicing for all.
If you're not familiar with Thai cooking, fear not. There's nothing in this recipe that you can't find on the shelves of your local supermarket. Both Thai fish sauce and Chili Garlic Sauce should be nestled amongst the soy sauces in the international aisle. And I know that the smell of fish sauce is a bit tough to take when you first take a whiff. My recommendation is this...don't take a whiff! Just mix it into the dressing, holding your breath the whole time, and then trust that the flavor will mellow and a distinctive, pleasant flavor to the dish. Seriously, trust me.
If you prefer to make this salad vegetarian, replace the fish sauce with extra soy sauce.
The recipe:
The salad:
In a medium-sized bowl, combine the zucchini, yellow squash, red bell pepper, cilantro and mint.
The dressing:
In a small bowl, whisk together the lime juice, soy sauce, fish sauce, rice vinegar, agave nectar and chili garlic paste.
Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine. Serve.
Other zucchini recipes:
Quick Mushorom, Zucchini & Thyme Saute with Fried Egg
Grilled Zucchini Roll with Goat Cheese, Roasted Peppers & Capers
Printable Recipe
Tricolor Thai Salad Recipe with Zucchini & Yellow Squash
Ingredients
The Salad:
- 1 medium zucchini cut into matchsticks
- 1 medium yellow squash cut into matchsticks
- 1 red bell pepper seeded and thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons minced cilantro
- 1 tablespoon minced mint leaves
The Dressing:
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon fish sauce
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon agave nectar or honey
- ¼ teaspoon chili garlic paste
Instructions
The Salad:
- In a medium-sized bowl, combine the zucchini, yellow squash, red bell pepper, cilantro and mint.
The Dressing:
- In a small bowl, whisk together the lime juice, soy sauce, fish sauce, rice vinegar, agave nectar and chili garlic paste.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine. Serve.
Notes
Nutrition
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.
Lucretia
This was amazing. I used my spiralizer for the zucchini and yellow squash. I could it this every day for lunch. Thanks for a great recipe
Lucretia
*eat it every day
Sandy Coughlin
This salad is almost too pretty to eat! Love using healthy (and pretty!) side dishes at my dinner parties. Definitely trying this soon!
Jeanette
I love fish sauce! It's definitely strong if you take a whiff, and I think it scares a lot of people off, so your tip of just holding your breath for a brief moment when mixing in is great. It's such a great ingredient, wouldn't want anyone to miss out. Love how pretty your Thai salad is Dara!
Nessa
This looks great!
Nutmeg Nanny
This looks so vibrant 🙂 I love this, must make soon!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thank you, Brandy! I loved the colors in this one, too.
Paula - bell'alimento
Love that dressing Dara! This looks so refreshing.
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thanks, Paula. It's always a crowd pleaser!
Sandy @ RE
The colors of summer and the garden. LOVE this, Dara!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thank you, Sandy! Yes, I am so inspired by all of the fresh produce available right now. I wish it would never end!
addie | culicurious
This looks so fresh and tasty! Love the flavor combination in that dressing! 🙂
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thanks, Addie! It's a salad dressing that I never tire of.
Donna
A few years ago I made Michael Symon's Zucchioni Crudo salad, and became a raw zucchini convert. This gorgreous salad looks right up there with his - on my Must Try this summner list!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
That sounds wonderful, Donna! I'll have to look up that recipe.
The Café Sucré Farine
I'm on such a Thai kick right now, in fact I'm posting a Thai salad on my blog right now and have been enjoying these flavors for the past week. Your salad sounds and looks wonderful Dara!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thank you! I'll have to head over to check out your Thai salad. I can't get enough of those flavors, either.
rachel
I absolutely am loving all the colors and flavors in this salad, Dara!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thank you, Rachel! I always love food that's photogenic. 🙂
kirsten@FarmFreshFeasts
Dara,
What a great idea to flavor summer veggies with Thai seasonings!
I like how my kitchen will stay cool with this salad.
Thanks!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thanks, Kirsten. I was drawn to the "no cooking" aspect of this salad, too.
Laura (Tutti Dolci)
This salad looks so good, love the summery veggies and Thai dressing!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thanks, Laura! We fell in love with these flavors.
Lauren @ Climbing Grier Mountain
Anything with Thai flavors is a winner in my book! Gorgeous!!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
I agree, Lauren. Thank you!
Kalyn
Wow, this looks like a total winner. Love everything in that dressing.
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thanks, Kalyn. I ate two bowlfuls of this right away. It's a winner, for certain.
Shashi @ http://runninsrilankan.com
Such a refreshing salad! so glad to have stumbled on your blog today
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thanks, Shashi! I so glad you stumbled in and I hope you'll be back.
Tieghan
This looks so good. I love that thai dressing! such a perfect quick and easy summer dish!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thanks, Tieghan! It's amazing what a good dressing can do to somewhat plain veggies.
Sommer @ ASpicyPerspective
This is the most gorgeous salad, ever!! Love the colors and that dressing looks fabulous! 🙂
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thanks so much, Sommer! It's a keeper, that's for certain.
Liz @ The Lemon Bowl
We are on the same wavelength this morning!! Love this idea for all of that zucchini growing right now!!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
It looks as though we were both craving these flavors. And yes, I love playing with zucchini at this time of year.
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar
This Thai salad is lovely! So full of fun flavours and colours. Great summer recipe!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thank you, Katrina! I was so taken with the flavors in this salad.