Carpaccio refers to raw, thin slices. Most people typically use this method for beef or fish. But why limit its focus. The technique can be applied to any food really. That's when I elected to employ its useful style to zucchini; both green and yellow.
Once upon a time on a warm summer's day in the country, I had zucchini. AGAIN.
Another dilemma of what to do with this ubiquitous kinda bland veg. And so, the idea of creating a dish that would be fresh and cool given the heat of the day sparked the idea for carpaccio. Slice it thin. No need to cook it. Add a zingy sauce and call it day.
That is how this dish came to be. Out of sheer not wanting to turn on the stove or oven or eat anything hot. I don't need to bore you with any more adjectives, adverbs or other fancy descriptions. This is a simple once upon a time story, with a happy ending. Now, down to the 'how to'.
Ingredients
1 zucchini, thinly sliced approx. 2 c
2 small yellow squash, thinly sliced approx. 2 c
1 small red onion, thinly sliced
1/2 c red wine vinegar
1/4 c white wine vinegar
salt
Dressing
1-2 T honey (depending on your taste)
1/3 c fresh lime juice
1/3 c fresh lemon juice
1 T rice wine vinegar
1/4 shallots. minced
1.5 T mint, finely chopped
1.5 T basil, chopped
1+ tsp salt / 1/4 t pepper to taste
Instructions
1. First things first. Thinly slice the red onions so they have time to pickle. I use a mandolin for this so I can cut them quickly, evenly and thinly. Next, combine the red and white vinegar with salt and submerge the onions. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate while you prepare the zucchini and dressing.
2. Thinly slice both the zucchini and yellow squash using a mandolin. Unless you have a sushi master skill of using a knife, the only real way to get these thin enough, and consistent, is to use a mandolin. Sorry, sometimes it's just that way. I like to make sure that I am slicing them so they are round, not oval. I just groove off the overall visual look. But go ahead and slice as you like, just as long as they are thin. Then begin to layer them. Again, I like order and visual appeal. So my aesthetic is one color for each row in a circular fashion. I overlap slightly as I go to create a wheel of green and yellow swirls. But lay them down in whatever fashion suits your style.
Round and round we go. Layer anyway you like. I like circles.
It looks neat and visually appealing... and mesmerizing.
3. Once that is done, make the marinade/dressing. Combine the lemon and lime juices, vinegar with honey, shallots, mint and basil. Salt and pepper to taste. Pour over the entire dish and allow the dressing to settle in for 15 minutes to 1/2 hour to absorb and "cook" the zucchini. Drain and add the pickled onion in the center.
The first couple of times I made this dish I used regular basil. This time around I had purple basil, so that's what I used.
Sometimes I start my circles with yellow squash, then zucchini. Other times the versus. I know, I live dangerously.
The purple basil adds another color pop.
Warning, this dish is tart and tangy. (Use more honey to balance the flavor to your palate. I like it tangy.)
Perfect for the summer.
Perfect for BBQ meats.
Perfect solution to not sweating over a stove.
Another zucchini dilemma solved.
Another happy ending.
