Best 8 Cactus Zucchini And Red Pepper Salad Recipes

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In the realm of culinary delights, where vibrant colors meet refreshing flavors, lies a delightful dish that captures the essence of summer's bounty: the cactus zucchini and red pepper salad. This tantalizing salad, bursting with texture and taste, is a symphony of flavors that will transport your palate to a Mediterranean paradise. With its vibrant hues, crisp textures, and zesty dressing, this salad is a feast for both the eyes and the taste buds. Whether you're seeking a light and healthy lunch option or a refreshing side dish to accompany grilled meats or fish, this cactus zucchini and red pepper salad is sure to impress.

Here are our top 8 tried and tested recipes!

CACTUS, ZUCCHINI AND RED PEPPER SALAD



Cactus, Zucchini and Red Pepper Salad image

Make your next party the talk of the town by serving this colorful salad of cactus, zucchini and red pepper tossed with a cilantro vinaigrette.

Provided by Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories     Side Dish

Time 25m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 11

1/2 cup olive or vegetable oil
1/4 cup white wine vinegar
1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
8 cups water
1 tablespoon salt
1/2 lb fresh prickly pear cactus pad, peeled, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
2 small zucchini, thinly sliced
1 medium red bell pepper, cut into 1/4-inch strips

Steps:

  • To make vinaigrette, in small bowl, mix oil, vinegar, cilantro, 1/2 teaspoon salt, garlic and pepper with wire whisk until well blended.
  • In 3-quart saucepan, heat water and salt to boiling. Add cactus. Heat to boiling; reduce heat. Boil uncovered 5 minutes; drain. Immediately rinse with cold water, or plunge into large bowl of ice and water; drain. Repeat rinsing and draining twice.
  • In large bowl, mix cactus, zucchini and bell pepper. Add vinaigrette; toss to mix.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 175, Carbohydrate 4 g, Cholesterol 0 mg, Fat 3 1/2, Fiber 2 g, Protein 1 g, SaturatedFat 2 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 290 mg

ZUCCHINI AND PEPPER SALAD



Zucchini and Pepper Salad image

Make a big batch of this and eat it for 2 or 3 days in a row, as it keeps well. Sprinkle with a crumbly white cheese before serving or eat plain.

Provided by CatlingMex

Categories     Vegetable

Time 15m

Yield 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 medium zucchini (about 8 inches)
1 small green pepper
1 small red pepper
1/4 cup onion, chopped (or thinly sliced)
1/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon cooking oil
1/4 cup white vinegar

Steps:

  • Peel zucchini and chop into 1/2-inch cubes or thin strips about 2 inches long. (If it is fresh and tender, peeling isn't necessary.)
  • Chop or slice peppers into strips (according to what you did with the zucchini and onion; make it all similar in shape).
  • Stir together zucchini, peppers, and onion.
  • In a jar with a tight lid, make dressing by shaking vinegar, oil, and sugar.
  • Pour dressing over veggies and toss gently.
  • Cover and chill a few hours or overnight.
  • Stir before serving with a slotted spoon so that the excess dressing runs off.

ZUCCHINI AND RED PEPPER SALAD (GREECE)



Zucchini and Red Pepper Salad (Greece) image

Make and share this Zucchini and Red Pepper Salad (Greece) recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Sydney Mike

Categories     Peppers

Time 25m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 1/2 lbs zucchini, very small
1 red bell pepper
6 tablespoons olive oil
1 lemon, juice and zest of
1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped
1 pinch salt
1 pinch pepper
1 pinch sugar

Steps:

  • Cut both ends off each small zucchini, then core, seed & thinly slice the red bell pepper.
  • Place zucchini & red bell pepper in boiling salted water & cook for 2 minutes, then drain & arrange on serving plate.
  • Zest the lemon into long, thin strips/curls (The original recipe calls for blanching the zest for 2 minutes, but I don't.), then juice the lemon.
  • Mix oil, lemon juice, chopped basil, salt, pepper & sugar.
  • Pour over vegetables while they are still warm, then sprinkle with lemon zest & serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 219.6, Fat 20.7, SaturatedFat 2.9, Sodium 57.7, Carbohydrate 10.4, Fiber 3.8, Sugar 4.2, Protein 2.7

ZUCCHINI SALAD WITH RED ONION



Zucchini Salad with Red Onion image

Raw zucchini, sliced into ribbons with a peeler, is mild-tasting; a short soak in vinegar and oil mellows and softens the onion but leaves enough bite to keep it interesting.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Salad Recipes

Time 15m

Number Of Ingredients 5

1 tablespoon red-wine vinegar
1 tablespoon olive oil
Coarse salt and ground pepper
1/2 small red onion, very thinly sliced
4 small zucchini (about 1 1/2 pounds total)

Steps:

  • In a medium bowl, whisk together vinegar and oil; season with salt and pepper. Stir in onion, and let stand 15 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, using a vegetable peeler, slice zucchini into paper-thin ribbons, avoiding seeds. Add to bowl with dressing, season with salt and pepper; toss to combine.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 52 g, Fat 4 g, Fiber 1 g, Protein 2 g

SOUTHWESTERN CACTUS SALAD



Southwestern Cactus Salad image

A delicious spicy salad, made from tender cactus, tomatoes, onions, jalapenos, cilantro, and lemons. This is hot and spicy, so beware!

Provided by Lupe Burke

Categories     Salad     Vegetable Salad Recipes

Time 1h5m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 (16 ounce) jar nopales - drained, rinsed, and dried
2 cups chopped tomatoes
½ cup diced onion
5 jalapeno peppers, seeded and minced
½ cup fresh cilantro leaves
2 lemons
½ teaspoon garlic salt

Steps:

  • In a medium size mixing bowl, combine cactus, tomatoes, onions, jalapenos and cilantro. Squeeze the juice from both lemons over the mixture. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Sprinkle with garlic salt (if you'd like) and serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 30 calories, Carbohydrate 8.2 g, Fat 0.3 g, Fiber 3.6 g, Protein 1.7 g, Sodium 130.6 mg, Sugar 1.9 g

ZUCCHINI AND RED PEPPER ENCHILADAS WITH TWO SALSAS



Zucchini and Red Pepper Enchiladas with Two Salsas image

Smoky grilled vegetables-not a cloying amount of meat or cheese-rule here. Instead of embellishing the enchiladas with a complex (and time-consuming) Mexican pipián (pumpkin-seed sauce), cook a few customary pipián ingredients and then purée them with cilantro for an easy enchilada that's herbaceous and fresh.

Provided by Ruth Cousineau

Categories     Cheese     Tomato     Vegetarian     Quick & Easy     Cinco de Mayo     Backyard BBQ     Dinner     Bell Pepper     Zucchini     Grill     Grill/Barbecue     Tortillas     Gourmet     Pescatarian     Wheat/Gluten-Free     Peanut Free     Tree Nut Free     Soy Free     No Sugar Added     Kosher

Yield Makes 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 21

For enchiladas:
1 large white onion, cut crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick rounds
2 red bell peppers, quartered
3/4 pound medium zucchini, cut lengthwise into 1/4-inch-thick slices
12 (6-to 7-inch) soft corn tortillas
1/2 cup vegetable oil
6 ounces crumbled queso fresco or ricotta salata
For pumpkin-seed salsa:
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh serrano chile, including seeds
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 1/3 cups raw green (hulled) pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 cups chopped cilantro
1 1/2 cups water
For tomato salsa:
2 medium tomatoes, chopped
1/4 cup finely chopped white onion
2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh serrano chile, including seeds
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
Garnish: cilantro leaves

Steps:

  • Start enchiladas:
  • Prepare a gas grill for direct-heat cooking over medium heat; see Grilling Procedure .
  • Preheat oven to 350°F .
  • Secure each onion round with a wooden pick for grilling. Oil grill rack, then grill vegetables, covered, turning occasionally, until tender (6 to 8 minutes for bell peppers and zucchini; 10 to 12 minutes for onion), transferring to a bowl.
  • Wrap tortillas in stacks of 6 in foil and heat in oven, about 15 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, make pumpkin-seed salsa:
  • Cook chile, garlic, cumin, and pumpkin seeds in oil in a 10-inch heavy skillet over medium-high heat, stirring, until seeds pop, 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer 3 tablespoons seeds with a slotted spoon to a bowl and reserve. Purée remaining seeds and oil with cilantro, water, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a blender until smooth.
  • Make tomato salsa:
  • Stir together tomatoes, onion, chile, lime juice, and 1/4 teaspoon salt.
  • Assemble and fry enchiladas:
  • Cut vegetables into strips. Spread 2 teaspoons pumpkin-seed salsa on each warm tortilla and top with some of grilled vegetables, then roll up. Heat oil (1/2 cup) in a 12-inch heavy skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Fry enchiladas, seam side down first, in 2 batches, turning once, until lightly browned and heated through, about 2 minutes per batch. Transfer enchiladas to plates, then drizzle with remaining pumpkin-seed salsa and sprinkle with reserved seeds and cheese. Serve with tomato salsa.

ZUCCHINI AND CHERRY TOMATOES WITH RED PEPPER DRESSING



Zucchini and Cherry Tomatoes With Red Pepper Dressing image

Zucchini's inherent versatility is well known. It shows up in pastas, vegetable stews and can even be pickled. In this salad, thinly sliced zucchini is very briefly blanched, then paired with other summery ingredients and served at room temperature. Roast the red pepper yourself or use a quality brand from a jar.

Provided by David Tanis

Categories     vegetables, appetizer, side dish

Time 30m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

2 pounds zucchini or summer squash, sliced lengthwise 1/8-inch thick
1/2 cup roughly chopped roasted red pepper (see note)
1 garlic clove, minced
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon Maras pepper flakes, Korean pepper flakes or sweet paprika
Pinch of cayenne
Salt and pepper
1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved and lightly salted
A few fresh oregano leaves and flowers, for garnish, or a few small basil leaves
Parsley leaves, for garnish
Olives, for garnish

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Working in batches, blanch zucchini strips for 1 minute, then remove with a spider or slotted spoon and spread on a kitchen towel-lined baking sheet to cool.
  • Make the dressing: Put roasted red pepper, garlic, oil, mustard, vinegar, lemon juice, Maras pepper and cayenne in a blender and purée until smooth. Transfer to a small bowl and season with salt and pepper. Taste and adjust acidity with a few drops of lemon juice or vinegar.
  • Arrange zucchini and cherry tomatoes on a platter. Drizzle judiciously with dressing (reserve excess dressing for up to a week) and garnish with oregano, parsley and olives.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 123, UnsaturatedFat 8 grams, Carbohydrate 9 grams, Fat 10 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 3 grams, SaturatedFat 1 gram, Sodium 557 milligrams, Sugar 5 grams, TransFat 0 grams

GRILLED ZUCCHINI PEPPER SALAD



Grilled Zucchini Pepper Salad image

Provided by Ruth Cousineau

Categories     Salad     Appetizer     Side     Quick & Easy     Backyard BBQ     Lunch     Vinegar     Bell Pepper     Summer     Grill     Grill/Barbecue     Healthy     Gourmet     Vegan     Vegetarian     Pescatarian     Dairy Free     Wheat/Gluten-Free     Peanut Free     Tree Nut Free     Soy Free     Kosher

Yield Makes 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 1/2 pounds zucchini, cut lengthwise into 1/4-inch-thick slices
2 red bell peppers, quartered
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 teaspoons packed light brown sugar
2 tablespoons chopped basil

Steps:

  • Prepare grill for direct-heat cooking over medium-hot charcoal (medium-high heat for gas); see Grilling Procedure , or heat a 2-burner grill pan over medium heat until hot.
  • Toss vegetables with 2 tablespoon oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Grill, turning occasionally, until tender, 6 to 8 minutes total. If using grill pan, grill in batches, 10 to 15 minutes per batch. Transfer peppers to a bowl and let stand, covered, 10 minutes. Peel peppers and cut into 1-inch pieces. Cut zucchini crosswise into 1-inch pieces.
  • Whisk together vinegar, brown sugar, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/8 teaspoon pepper, and remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a large bowl. Stir in vegetables and basil. Let stand 15 minutes for flavors to blend.

Tips:

  • Use a sharp knife to cut the vegetables into even pieces. This will help them cook evenly.
  • If you don't have a grill, you can cook the vegetables in a hot skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Be careful not to overcook the vegetables. They should be tender but still slightly firm.
  • For a more flavorful salad, use a variety of fresh herbs, such as basil, oregano, or thyme.
  • Serve the salad with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkling of salt and pepper.

Conclusion:

Cactus, zucchini, and red pepper salad is a healthy and refreshing dish that is perfect for summer. The combination of crunchy vegetables, tangy dressing, and fresh herbs makes this salad a delicious and satisfying meal. Whether you're looking for a light lunch or a healthy side dish, this salad is sure to please.

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