Mediterranean Raw Squash Pasta Salad:
This Mediterranean-style salad is light, refreshing, and overflowing with colorful rounds of thinly sliced raw zucchini and yellow squash. It’s just the kind of meal I’m craving as I recover from a week of overindulgence and adventure in the tropics.
This pasta salad with raw squash and bold Greek flavors is a simple, light summer dish. Thanks to the plethora of vegetables, whole grains and beans, it’s a complete meal in itself! Pack up a bowlful for a weekday lunch or serve with a glass of chilled Pinot Grigio for dinner.
- 1.33 Cup Whole wheat Israeli couscous (or any other small pasta shape, you’ll need about 3 cups cooked)
- 1/3 cup Ekin Olive Oil
- 1 Small lemon Juiced
- 1 Clove garlic Minced
- 1 Shallot
- Pinch Sea salt and ground black pepper
- 1 Cup Chickpeas Cooked
- 1 Pint grape or cherry tomatoes Chopped
- 3 Ounces Feta Crumbled
- 10 Olives Sliced
- 1 Medium Zucchini sliced into super thin rounds using a vegetable peeler
- 1 Small Yellow Squash sliced into super thin rounds using a vegetable peeler
- 1/3 Cup Pine Nuts Toasted
- 1/3 Cup Basil Chopped
- Bring 1 ⅔ cup salted water to a boil.
- Stir in the couscous, cover and reduce heat to a simmer.
- Cook for 18 to 20 minutes, until the couscous is tender and all of the water is absorbed.
- While the couscous is cooking, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, shallot, sea salt and black pepper in a large bowl.
- Add the couscous to the bowl and toss to coat with the dressing.
- Top the pasta with all of the remaining ingredients, and toss to combine.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste, and add an extra squeeze of lemon juice if necessary. For the best flavor, cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving.
STORAGE SUGGESTIONS: Store in the fridge, covered, for up to 3 days.
CHANGE IT UP: I used whole wheat Israeli couscous for my salad, but any small whole wheat pasta shape will do. Small shells, fusilli and farfalle are all great options. Just cook the pasta in salted water according to the package’s directions and proceed with the recipe.
MAKE IT GLUTEN FREE: Substitute your favorite small gluten-free pasta for the couscous.
MAKE IT VEGAN: If you choose to make the salad vegan by omitting the cheese, you might want to add a few more sliced olives to make up for the salty punch of feta.
MAKE IT NUT FREE: Technically pine nuts are seeds, but you can omit them if they don’t work for you or if you’re concerned about cross-contamination.
