Ribboned Zucchini Salad

This attractive salad is delicious in its simplicity. For months, we have eaten courgettes (zucchini) 4-5 times a week, so I must get this recipe online before we tire ourselves of this versatile Italian squash! We use it in salads, of course, but we have also adapted the concept of "ribboning" as a low-glycemic (and low-calorie) pasta alternative. What makes this recipe even more alluring--particularly at the onset of warmer weather--is that steaming is unnecessary. Simply salting the zucchini tenderizes them for this dish.

Cut 2 lb. of trimmed zucchini length-wise into 1/8-inch-thick slices with a slicer and transfer to a colander set over a bowl. (See a video of how to ribbon zucchini in my How-to Guide.) Sprinkle zucchini with 1 teaspoon salt and toss to coat. Let stand for 5 minutes, then rinse under cold running water. Transfer zucchini to a clean towel and gently roll it up to absorb excess water.

Toss together the following, then add the zucchini:
3 oz. frisée salad greens (4 cups loosely packed)
1/2 cup loosely packed fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves (or cilantro)
1 cup loosely packed fresh basil leaves, torn in to small pieces
12 kalamata olives, pitted and thinly sliced
1 small red onion, halved length-wise and thinly sliced cross-wise

Last, let's dress those veggies! Whisk together:
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons finely-grated fresh lemon zest
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon anchovy paste
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Food Fact! Zucchini is a member of the Cucurbitaceae family, along with cantaloupe and watermelon. come in many different varieties. It is reported to be an excellent source of manganese and vitamin C, and a very good source of magnesium, Vitamin A, potassium, folate, fiber,phosphorous and copper. The antioxidants vitamin C and beta-carotene also have anti-inflammatory properties that make them helpful for conditions like asthma, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis, where inflammation plays a big role. The copper found in summer squash is also helpful for reducing the painful symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.