When purchasing the courgettes, choose varieties that are small to medium in size. The skins tend to be thinner, with a sweet flesh, which makes them far better for creating the courgette ribbons. To create the ribbons, work slowly with a vegetable peeler. Ideally, you’ll need a peeler that’s as wide as the courgettes. Or, if you have a mandoline in your kitchen, you can use this tool instead to form evenly sized courgette ribbons.
If you want to intensify the flavour of the raw courgettes in the salad, you can salt them first. This helps to remove any excess water from the ingredient and concentrates the flavour in the salad. Some chefs will also use a mixture of both raw and cooked courgettes to vary the texture in the dish. You could even add a smoky element with gentle charring of courgette ribbons on the grill.
Fresh mint and zesty lemon citrus pair effortlessly with the mild taste of courgettes, brightening the flavours of the salad. To create a more complex salad than the recipe shared above, you can also introduce ingredients such as cheese to the mix. Creamy feta brings an inviting saltiness to the dish, whereas shavings of parmesan add an appetising nutty dimension.
For the seasoning, you can add an Asian-twist to the dish if desired. Courgettes are irresistible with a drizzle of sesame oil or umami-rich soy sauce, for a fusion cooking approach. A sprinkle of chilli flakes adds an elevated pop of colour to the salad and a spicy kick.
And there are plenty of ways to enhance this salad, including mixing in a variety of different lettuce leaves. From watercress to endive, there are lots of flavours to choose from to complement the courgette.
How to present it
The presentation of courgette salad recipes relies heavily on the creation of the courgette ribbons. Make sure you slice the courgettes into thin ribbons using a peeler or mandoline to create a delicate look. The ribbons don’t have to be precisely arranged on the plate. Let them fall into place, layering and rippling across the platter. It’s also possible to use alternating colours of green and yellow courgettes for added visual appeal.
Drizzle the oil or dressing diagonally across the plate, and scatter the garnish evenly across the courgettes. If preferred, you can slice the courgettes neatly into rounds instead and stack these for your salad with layers of cheese, such as goat’s cheese, for a salad with height.
We’ve shared a simple courgette salad recipe above, but there are endless ways to develop this salad. All you need for the perfect salad is a mixture of base ingredients, including leafy greens, chopped vegetables, cheese, fresh herbs and more. And if you want to take your salad skills to the next level, there are plenty of gourmet salad recipes from Michelin chefs to try making at home, from a spicy beef salad to a sophisticated take on a classic Caesar salad.
