If you’ve spent any time at all near a summer squash plant, you know how it goes. One minute you see a tiny little zucchini growing; a day later you have a squash as big as your arm.
Those huge zucchinis always went into bread at our house so I made some zucchini muffins last week. Unfortunately, that only used up ½ of the monster. Instead of more baked goods, I decided to take the rest to the grill for zucchini steaks.
With summer zucchini always comes blackberries so a blackberry dressing sounded perfect. This dressing drizzled on a salad with a couple zucchini steaks and few extras made a great summer meal.
Salad with Grilled Zucchini and Blackberry Balsamic Dressing
Makes: 4 servings
What you’ll need:
Zucchini Steaks
8 – 1 ½ inch thick slices zucchini
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
Salt and pepper to taste
Blackberry Balsamic Dressing
½ cup blackberries, defrosted if frozen
5 fresh rosemary leaves
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
½ cup extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoons sugar
¼ teaspoons salt
1/8 teaspoons black pepper
Salad
8 cups greens (I used romaine, cabbage and spinach)
4 oz. blue cheese, crumbled
4 tablespoons sunflower seeds
How to make it:
Place the zucchini slices in a shallow dish and drizzle with the olive oil and balsamic vinegar, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Coat each piece and set aside to marinade while you prepare the dressing and salad.
In a small food processor, combine all of the dressing ingredients and pulse until it is smooth. If using fresh berries you may need to add 1-2 tablespoons of water. Makes about ½ cup of dressing. Set aside.
Prepare four plates with 2 cups of greens, 1 ounce of blue cheese and 1 tablespoon of sunflower seeds. Set aside.
Preheat the grill or a grill pan on the stove. Place the zucchini slices on the grill and cook on medium-high for 3 to 4 minutes on each side.
Place two zucchini steaks on each salad and drizzle with dressing.
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Gorgeous! I love salads with a little sweet, flavorful cheese and something unexpected!
I am going to have to find out about those zucchinis! I have yet to grow them, but next year?… I love the sound of this dressing, it screams summer with its fruit-driven berries and herbs.
This seasonal combo sounds SO good. My CSA is chock full of zucchini!
Hi Lori, thanks for your comment on my blog! I’m glad to have come across yours 🙂 The blackberry dressing for this salad looks amazing! Will have to give it a try soon.
Wow, what a fantastic salad. And that dressing just makes my mouth water. Thanks for sharing, I can’t wait to try it:)
Emily – Thanks! I like sweet with a little cheese as well.
Fresh, Local, Best – You’ll love growing them!
Michelle – Thanks! It’s a great way to use them up.
Sofia – Thanks so much!
Spicie Foodie – Thanks! I can’t wait to make the dressing again!
Isn’t this the healthiest steak on earth! And yes, the dressing sounds perfect and refreshing. I heart both.