Today I present to you a simple and delicious summer recipe: borlotti beans, grilled zucchini, and cherry tomatoes. A colorful and tasty mix that smells like summer!
If you have already tried (and loved) my cold borlotti bean and vegetable salad, you cannot miss this new version. This time I used fresh borlotti beans — I shelled and cooked them with patience, but if you want to save time, the ones ready in a can are just fine.
If you choose the first option, I recommend checking the recipe for borlotti bean salad with tomatoes, onion, and corn: there I explain step by step how to cook fresh borlotti beans.
Once the beans are ready and the zucchini are grilled, the salad is prepared in just 5 minutes flat. In fact, you can even get ahead: store everything in the fridge and assemble at the moment. Fresh, light, quick… perfect for a quick dinner, an outdoor lunch, or an impromptu picnic.
See you at the next recipe!!!
TRY ALSO:
- Difficulty: Very easy
- Cost: Very cheap
- Preparation time: 10 Minutes
- Portions: 4 People
- Cooking methods: Grill
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: Summer
- Energy 252.79 (Kcal)
- Carbohydrates 22.19 (g) of which sugars 4.67 (g)
- Proteins 6.69 (g)
- Fat 15.79 (g) of which saturated 1.97 (g)of which unsaturated 0.32 (g)
- Fibers 6.65 (g)
- Sodium 1,014.68 (mg)
Indicative values for a portion of 261 g processed in an automated way starting from the nutritional information available on the CREA* and FoodData Central** databases. It is not food and / or nutritional advice.
* CREATES Food and Nutrition Research Center: https://www.crea.gov.it/alimenti-e-nutrizione https://www.alimentinutrizione.it ** U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov
Ingredients
- 14 oz borlotti beans (cooked)
- 2 grilled zucchini
- 12 cherry tomatoes (yellow and red)
- A few leaves basil
- to taste extra virgin olive oil
- to taste sesame seeds
- to taste salt
- to taste pepper
- 1 fresh green onion
Tools: beans and grilled zucchini
- Grill
- Salad Bowl
Recipe: borlotti beans and grilled zucchini
Fresh, tasty, practical!
Prepare everything you need for your salad.
– Cooked borlotti beans: you can use the ready ones in a can or cook them at home following my instructions on how to cook beans.
– Grilled zucchini: here are my useful tips on how to grill zucchini.
– Cherry tomatoes and fresh basil: wash the vegetables carefully and dry them well.
Now it’s time to assemble your summer salad!
In a large bowl, gather the already cooked borlotti beans, thinly sliced grilled zucchini lengthwise (for a more scenic effect!), halved cherry tomatoes, and a few basil leaves torn by hand to release all its fragrance.
Dress with a generous drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, a pinch of salt, a grind of black pepper, and a handful of sesame seeds for crunchiness and an extra touch.Extra flavor addition: if you like stronger flavors, add fresh green onion sliced into thin rings. It adds a lively and fragrant note that perfectly matches all the other ingredients (I left it out this time, but it really fits well!)
With already cooked beans and grilled zucchini, this salad is prepared faster than you might think. Just put everything in the bowl, dress, give it a good mix… and lunch (or dinner) is served!
Perfect when you have little time but still want something good, fresh, and homemade. And if you prepare it in advance, at the last minute you just need to open the fridge… and the dish is almost ready to enjoy!
Storage and Tips
Storage: This bean and zucchini salad keeps perfectly in the refrigerator, in an airtight container, for up to 2 days. If you already know you will consume it at different times, I recommend adding the dressing only when served: this way the vegetables will remain firmer and fresher.
Tips: If you have any leftover grilled zucchini, you can also use it the next day in a sandwich, a wrap, or perhaps prepare jars of grilled zucchini in oil.
If you want to take the salad out of the house (for a picnic or a work lunch), assemble it directly in a large jar: neatly ordered layers and everything ready to shake at the moment!
FAQ
Do I have to grill the zucchini?
Grilling adds more flavor, but as an alternative, you can cook them in a pan or oven.
Can I add other ingredients?
Absolutely yes! It goes great with crumbled feta, tuna, corn, avocado, or olives. It’s a versatile recipe; you can customize it as you like.
Can I use another vegetable instead of zucchini?
Sure! Grilled eggplants are also an excellent alternative.
How can it be served?
It can be served as a main dish, but also as a fresh side dish for summer main courses, especially those based on white meat or fish.
