Last week in Edinburgh was probably the first time in weeks that I’d eaten an apple. During the summer I try to eat as much seasonal produce as I can and since it will be back to apples before long there’s no room for them in my diet right now!
Peaches are one of my favourite summer fruits and I tend to enjoy them on their own, best eaten standing over the kitchen sink with juice running down your chin, but I have started trying them in different ways more recently.
I loved the nectarine/peach salad with blackberry dressing, basil, and hazelnuts I made last month and decided on anothe- a Grilled Peach, Courgette & Walnut Salad.
I’m still struggling to keep on top of the supply of courgettes from the garden. Although initially I was cross when I discovered the muntjac deer were sneakily munching our vegetables during the night, I ended up grateful for some help in eating them!
As well as being very tasty, this grilled salad used 3 courgettes, a nice bonus, for me at least.
It would make a lovely side dish or starter salad, or enjoy it for lunch just as is. Grilling the fruit and vegetables brings out their natural sweetness and some fresh herbs and nuts finish it off nicely. I loved walnuts in this and don’t use them enough, but if you’d prefer another kind just swap them in.
Ingredients
- 3 Medium-sized courgettes
- 2 Peaches
- 1 Tbsp Olive oil
- 2 Tbsp Chopped parsley
- 2 Tbsp Chopped mint
- Salt + pepper
- 3 Tbsp Toasted walnuts, roughly chopped
- 1/2 Tbsp Red wine vinegar
- 1/2 Tbsp Extra-virgin olive oil (optional)
Instructions
- Slice courgettes into thin slices vertically using a sharp knife, discarding the very outside slices.
- Peel, remove stone, and quarter peaches. Preheat a stove-top grill pan (or use an outdoor grill) and brush courgette slices and peaches with the olive oil. In batches, grill the courgettes for approx 3-4 minutes on both sides. Try not to move them while they cook so they get nice dark grill marks. Set aside in a bowl while you grill the peach quarters.These are obviously more delicate and only need about 2 minutes on each side.
- Season courgettes well and toss with red wine vinegar and fresh herbs. Transfer to a serving dish, place grilled peach quarters on the top, sprinkle with walnuts and drizzle with extra olive oil if using.
Notes
I grilled an extra peach while I was at it and it was fantastic with non-dairy yogurt and a little drizzle of maple syrup for dessert.
If you’re growing vegetables this year or get a veg box/csa delivery are you being overwhelmed by an abundance of any in particular?
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That looks fabulous! I think it would go very well with some grilled tofu, or for me, some halloumi or feta
Definitely. It would work perfectly as a side-dish to jazz up a simple meal.
This looks lovely, the colours are so summery!
This salad is lovely and fresh, I must try it!
I love fruit in salad and this looks fantastic.
Beautiful and colorful salad 😉 I noticed you’ve been posting daily
Sorry I haven’t been on your blog for a couple of days (was in the midst of unpacking and sightseeing and finding some food in Spain, haha!)
No need to apologize! Get out there and enjoy Spain!