Veggie Salad Trio with Zucchini Noodles and Pesto for #SundaySupper!! Let’s get to spiralizing!
With the recent delivery of my awesome spiralizer plus attachment from KitchenAid, I’ve been going a little crazy. I love being able to make veggie curls and curly potatoes .. I have yet to try an apple but kind of want to see if I can get apple spirals. So, needless to say, I’ve been on quite the vegetable kick. .
My meat-eating husband is not happy.
But as long as we have one meat dish, Korean food and one pizza night, he’s just fine. Which leaves the rest of the week to my lovely vegetables! Ever since making this raw zucchini salad, I have been hooked. Whenever I add zucchini now into my salads, which is quite often, I leave the zucchini raw.
Veggie Salad Trio with Zucchini Noodles and Pesto!
You’ve got to try this salad. It’s inspired from a restaurant in Dallas called Cafe Express. Whenever I’m in Dallas, I will eat there with my girlfriends. They have a trio salad with pasta salad, grilled chicken and a green salad, all in one bowl. It’s like deliciousness overload. I love it. So, I wanted to put all of my favorite things into one salad bowl.
Cauliflower pesto. I’ve written about this before. If you’ve never tried it and like cauliflower, OH MY GAWD, you must try this. It’s quite addicting, healthy and delicious. I make this pesto all the time. You can eat this pesto with toasted bread, crackers, pasta or alone by the spoonfuls. It has a couscous like texture and is just so flavorful and amazing, you won’t be able to stop eating it. The cauliflower pesto is packed with cauliflower, olives, parsley, pine nuts and so much more. It is simply delicious and if there’s only one thing you walk away with after reading this post, it’s that you have to try this.
And it’s so easy to make. Your food processor does everything for you.
I recently shared my new favorite pesto on Friday. Sometimes here in Madison, it isn’t as easy to find fresh basil. So this pesto was created by the ingredients I had in my kitchen at the time. Pine nuts are also insanely expensive so I added almonds and you can also try using walnuts. The other two KEY ingredients are really good, quality extra virgin olive oil and parmesan. Go for it. You’ll taste the difference. I mixed my pesto with the fresh, raw zucchini curls. . so good!!!
And lastly, you gotta have some greens and grape tomatoes in there. A salad is not complete, in my book, without them. Splash in your fave balsamic vinegar dressing and enjoy!
Veggie Salad Trio with Zucchini Noodles and Pesto
Ingredients
For the spinach pesto:
- 2-3 cups fresh baby spinach or baby arugula
- 1/2 cup fresh parsley
- 2-3 cloves garlic whole or minced
- ¼ cup almonds
- 1-1½ cups good quality extra-virgin olive oil
- ½ – 1 cup freshly grated or chunks of Parmigiano-Reggiano
- Kosher salt to taste
For the salad trio:
- cauliflower pesto see recipe card down below
- fresh raw zucchini; sliced into spirals, long strips or matchsticks
- fresh greens or baby spinach
- variety of grape tomatoes
- your fave salad dressing or extra virgin olive oil + balsamic vinegar
- serve with a baguette or crackers
Instructions
For the spinach pesto:
- Combine the spinach, parsley, garlic, and almonds in a food processor and pulse until coarsely chopped. With the processor running, slowly pour the olive oil (I used about a cup) into the bowl through the feed tube and process until the pesto is thoroughly combined. Add the Parmigiano-Reggiano and pulse until well combined. Season with salt and enjoy!
For the salad trio:
- Place everything into sections within a large salad bowl. Mix the pesto with the fresh, raw zucchini and enjoy! The cauliflower pesto can be enjoyed topped on the bread or with crackers on the side or simply by itself.
Cauliflower Pesto
Ingredients
- 1 small 13-ounce head cauliflower
- 1/2 cup unsalted almonds may substitute pine nuts
- 2 or 3 sun-dried tomatoes I use the ones in jars with olive oil
- 1- ounce chunk pecorino-Romano cheese or Parmigiano-Reggiano; cut into chunks
- 1-2 garlic cloves
- 1/2 cup green olives
- 1 tablespoon drained capers
- About 8 flat-leaf parsley leaves
- Pinch crushed red pepper flakes or more as needed
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 to 2 1/2 teaspoons red wine vinegar + more if needed to taste
- season with salt
Instructions
- Cut the cauliflower into chunks, placing them into the food processor. Pulse to form couscous-like crumbs, then transfer to a large mixing bowl.
- Place everything else into the food processor down to the parsley. Pulse to form a coarse bread-crumb consistency, then add the mixture to the cauliflower in the large mixing bowl, along with the crushed red pepper flakes.
- Stir in the olive oil, 2 teaspoons of the vinegar and 1/2 teaspoon of salt (by hand) to form a pesto like mixture. Taste and add more salt if necessary.
I love that we are celebrating MEATLESS MEALS today! The lovely Tammi from Momma’s Meals is hosting today. . now take a seat, kick back and make sure you visit all of the fabulous recipes below. . there are a lot of them . . think of all the GREAT meatless options you’ll have now! Enjoy!
Salads, Soups, Stews and Starters
- Spicy Vegan Potato Salad by Killer Bunnies, Inc
- Veggie Salad Trio with Zucchini Noodles and Pesto by Hip Foodie Mom
- Olive Tapenade by MealDiva
- Chickpea Chile Soup with Greens and Grains by Shockingly Delicious
- Thai Coconut Curry Butternut Squash Soup by Cupcakes & Kale Chips
- Potato Chickpea Stew by The Not So Cheesy Kitchen
- “Beef” Stew with Potato Cake Tops by Jane’s Adventures in Dinner
- Mushroom and Wild Rice Soup by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
“Meat”balls
- Teriyaki Quinoa “Meatballs” by The Foodie Patootie
- Black Bean “Meatballs” with Marinara by Foxes Love Lemons
- Spicy Vegetarian Meatballs by Mess Makes Food
Pastas, Pizzas and Casseroles
- Zucchini and Mushroom Skillet Lasagna by Curious Cuisiniere
- Four Cheese and Spinach Stuffed Shells by Melanie Makes
- Spicy Penne with Tomatoes and Havarti by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Cheesy Tomato Casserole by Bobbi’s Kozy Kitchen
- Deconstructed Vegan “Lasagna” by What Smells So Good?
- Ramen Stir Fry by Ninja Baking
- Roasted Red Pepper Lasagna by Cravings of a Lunatic
- Broccolini Macaroni and Cheese by Family Foodie
- Sundried Tomato and Zucchini Pizza with Goat Cheese by Healthy. Delicious.
- Creamy Parmesan Mushroom and Leek Pasta by Neighborfood
- Roasted Veggie Manicotti by Hot Momma’s Kitchen Chaos
- Pasta Patate by Webicurean
- Spaghetti and Chickpeas and Roasted Tomato Sauce by The Wimpy Vegetarian
- Radicchio and Gorgonzola Tortelloni with Butter and Walnuts by Manu’s Menu
- Broccoli, Mushroom & Rice Casserole by Momma’s Meals
Burgers
- Quinoa Black Bean Burger with Ginger Cilantro & Turmeric by Sue’s Nutrition Buzz
- Garbanzo and Brown Rice Burgers by girlichef
- Tofu Burgers by Small Wallet, Big Appetite
Tacos & Everything Wrapped
- Blackened Tofu Tacos with Asian Slaw by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
- Mushroom & Poblano Tacos by La Cocina de Leslie
- Green Chile Enchiladas by Cookin’ Mimi
- Beet and Goat Cheese Tacos with Avocado Cream by The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen
- Black Bean and Avocado Flautas by Supper for a Steal
- Black Bean Spinach Quinoa Burritos by Alida’s Kitchen
Other Main and Side Dishes
- Vegan, Gluten Free Breakfast Bars by Pies and Plots
- Mushroom and Lentil Cottage Pie by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
- Mediterranean Tomato Tart by Magnolia Days
- Lentil Stuffed Peppers by Peanut Butter and Peppers
- Fontina Polenta with Sauteed Porcini Mushrooms by La Bella Vita Cucina
- Leek and Zucchini Tarte Tatin by Food Lust People Love
- Tofu and Peas Curry (Tofu Matar) by Soni’s Food
Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter on Sunday! We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm EST. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. Check out our #SundaySupper Pinterest board for more fabulous recipes and food photos.
Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy. You can sign up by clicking here: Sunday Supper Movement.
Were you ever in sales, Ms Choi? I’m soooo tempted to purchase the spiral veggie slicer. And your enthusiasm has convinced me I need cauliflower pesto in my life! Thank you, Alice, for another inspiring creation =)
What a beautiful dish! I love how colourful it is and I really like the idea of a cauliflower pesto!
I’m like you and totally addicted to my spiralizer – this salad looks amazing, Alice!
Your salad looks just amazing! I am so buying one of those zucchini curlers!!
All right, all right, I’m pinning this to try the cauliflower pesto. You have convinced me, you silver tongued devil. In fact, the whole trio of salads in one bowl thing looks quite delightful.
We have Café Express in Houston too so perhaps it’s a Texas chain.
Stacy! you simply MUST try the cauliflower pesto!!!! It’s delicious!!!
SO many excellent ideas in one salad post, Alice!!! Love the spiral noodles, love the cauliflower pesto, love that you can get your meat loving hubby to eat this!!! And it’s one GORGEOUS salad!!!!
I have one of those spiral cutter things too, and I need to start experimenting more. BNut I HAVE to make cauliflower pesto!! That is brilliant!
Yes!!! you simply MUST try the cauliflower pesto!!!! It’s delicious!!!
Those zucchini noodles are so fun! This looks perfect for spring.
That does it. I have to get the spiralizer! And I have to make your cauli pesto. You are adding to my to-do list, missy.
This looks so inviting! I think I need a spiralizer!
This salad is gorgeous! I love the colors, the flavors, everything! I need to get my hands on one of those spiralizers!
Thanks so much, Susan!
I’m dying to make those zucchini noodles! They look so fun! This dish sounds fresh and tasty!
Raw zucchini is the best in salads! I am also loving this cauliflower pesto. I can’t get enough cauliflower recipes. This is my kind of dinner!
I want a spiral slicer!!! Those veggies are too cute. And cauliflower pesto…well that just sounds delish!
This looks fantastic, I love the zucchini noodles!
I’ve got to get one of those spiral thingies. I love the look of this salad with them, and the flavors are PERFECT for me. My hubs, Carnivorous Maximus, must have meat at every freaking meal. But for me, this is a perfect, perfect dinner all by itself. Pinning this right now!!
Outrageously excellent salad!! Now I have to get me one of those spiral slicers. Oh, and I’m definitely making some cauliflower pesto.
Who needs meat when you have this dish OH MY GAWD is right, I love making all different kinds of Pesto’s these days, I even used the cauliflower in my homemade tater tots yesterday! Thank for sharing this yummy meal!
You’ve talked me into the cauliflower pesto, lol! Pinning 😉
Yum yum and more yum!! I need one of those vegetable slicers for sure!
I love my spiralizer too! There are so many things you can do with it – it’s awesome. What a great salad – I would love some of that for lunch!
I can’t wait to try this! I love zucchini & I love cauliflower! I love pesto too. I’m going to buy zucchini and cauliflower tomorrow so I can give this a try. Let’s see, I will also need tomatoes and some fresh parsley and I’m running low on parm, so I’ll grab some of that too. Thanks so much for sharing this! HUGS
This is a beautiful salad! And, I love the idea of cauliflower pesto! I never would have imagined all the ways to mix up pesto!
This salad looks awesome! I love all that spiralized zucchini going on.
pinning!
Oh my!I want that cauliflower pesto right now!! Love the idea and I could finish off that delicious bowl in no time 🙂
Amazing, and so creative!
Such a fresh delicious tasting noodle meal! Love that pesto can add so much flavor!
Thank you, Pamela!
So damn, I am dying to get a spiralizer. My real question – how’s the texture? Are you ever really fooled into thinking you’re eating pasta, or is it just a cool new way to eat veggies?
Hi Lori,
I don’t think I could ever be fooled into thinking it’s pasta. . but I don’t think you’re meant to. You just don’t miss the pasta, you know? I think of it as a fun way to eat veggies, which I actually enjoy a lot. . the spiralizer is also cool because you can adjust the size of the “noodles”, and you can saute them lightly. . I’m going to try this next. 🙂 let me know if you get one!
Hmmmm yeah, that totally makes sense. A new way to eat veggies! Ordering the Paderno spiralizer today! Ahhh so excited!
I love making courgette noodles. Once a week we do a raw vegan night and this would be perfect for that.
I can quickly see myself becoming obsessed with this dish and eating it everyday for lunch. Now I just need a spiralizer to hop into my shopping bag and I’m all set.
These pestos look so cool on those veggies! I like the almond, spinach combo, yum!
Thank you, Cindy!
Not that I need another kitchen gadget, but I think you just sold me on the spiral thingie! I can’t wait to try the cauliflower pesto–we’ve been eating cauliflower like crazy lately, so this will be a fun spin!
Anne, oh my goodness. . you will LOVE the cauliflower pesto. . please please make it and let me know what you think!!! and I think the spiralizer is a great investment. . esp if you like eating veggies!
That’s it, I’m making a crap load of pesto this weekend! This post and the last pesto post you published are driving me crazy with their deliciousness! I love that you’re using greens other than basil and nuts other than pine because yeah, they’re harder to get and much more expensive. And your spiral gadget thingy is amazing! I’d probably start eating more veggies if I could get them looking all cool and spiral-y like this!
I totally believe in that. . that the shape of foods or the way they are cut, makes them more appetizing!! I’m going to try to fool the kids. . Phoebe won’t buy it but Madeline just might. . she’s still young and easily influenced. 😛
I absolutely LOVE the idea of a cauliflower pesto. What a great recipe!
This is a gorgeous salad, Alice! Almost too pretty to eat, but I would totally down this!