The summer squashes are still going strong in the potager.
Actually, after going dormant during the heat wave I was ready to pull them out and add them to the compost.
They looked dead.
Then we got a day of rain…. Lots and lots of rain.
It was too muddy to work in the garden so all 4 plants got a reprieve.
The sun came out, the ground dried up and the squash plants came back to life.
They look more lush and are producing more vigorously now than at the beginning of the season.
Time for more recipes…..
Click here to Pin Zucchini Rice Salad
PrintZucchini Rice Salad
The cooked rice is combined with the sautéed zucchini and a light, oriental vinaigrette just before serving.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (3.3oz, 95gr) quick-cooking brown rice
- 1 cup (8oz, 240ml) chicken stock or whatever your rice calls for
- 1 small – medium zucchini (courgette) about 7 ” (17cm), sliced in half the long way and cut into 1/4″ (.6cm) slices.
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 1 tsp sesame or walnut oil
- 2 tsp soy sauce
- 1/4 tsp ground ginger or 1 tsp fresh, minced
- 1 tbs toasted pine nuts toast for 4 minutes, dry pan
- Vinaigrette:
- 2 tbs brown sugar
- 2 1/2 tbs red wine vinegar
- 1 tbs snipped fresh parsley
- 1 tbs water
- 2 tsp oil – sesame or walnut is best
- 2 tsp soy sauce
Instructions
- Cook rice in stock according to package directions.
- Heat medium nonstick over medium heat.
- Add pine nuts and toast, shaking pan occasionally until golden, 4 – 5 minutes. Remove nuts and set aside.
- In same skillet heat oils over medium heat.
- Add garlic, ginger and soy sauce and sauté briefly.
- Add zucchini and continue to sauté for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon, until zucchini is tender.
- Vinaigrette:
- Put all ingredients in small bowl and whisk well – will not emulsify.
- To finish:
- When rice is done put into a medium bowl.
- When zucchini is done add to rice.
- Add the vinaigrette and toss well.
- Sprinkle with pine nuts. Serve.
Notes
I use ‘Uncle Ben’s’ brown rice, which is what I can get and it is quick cooking. It looks like brown Basmati and cooks in 15 minutes. You could substitute regular Basmati, if you prefer/
Keywords: zucchini, summer squash, rice, salad
One of our suitcases has a zipper that’s coming apart. I had no idea if it could be repaired so I decided to take it to the guy that does shoe / handbag / luggage / anything leather repairs and ask. (No luck.)
Normally when I leave the house the dogs look at me with sad eyes then move to the pantry to lie down and wait for my return.
As I walked to the door with the suitcase they jumped up.
I opened the door and they raced out, spinning and jumping and doing the doggie happy dance.
They ran to the car and stood at the back, waiting to jump in.
I had no idea what was going on….. They never want to get in the car as it usually is a trip to the vet.
I could not get them to come back to the house.
They were determined to get in the car with that suitcase.
Then it dawned on me.
It was the suitcase.
Whenever we visited our friend in Spain we took that suitcase – and the dogs.
While we visited our friend our dogs got to visit their brother and aunts and uncles and cousins and play with all the other dogs in the village.
They got to nap with their big brother Ghengis.
They went on walks in the mountains and swimming in the streams with all the other dogs.
Our friend died 2 years ago this month.
Our dogs saw the suitcase and decided we were going to Spain.
It would seem that our dogs miss him as much as we do.
Very poignant, the dogs associating the suitcase with fun visits to family and friends. I am sure you are right about their reaction.
I was very surprised… It’s been almost 3 years since they’ve been there, but it’s the only logical explanation. Normally, when we travel they don’t go with us and never see the suitcase go in the car as they are at the kennel
I’m so sorry. I remember your saying that when it happened. And I feel bad for your doggies as well. Animals grieve too.
I find that pine nuts leave an odd aftertaste. Maybe it’s just me. I can’t eat cilantro either. That tastes like soap. :/ But I could do this salad without the nuts of course 😉
It was really sad seeing them so excited. It was the only place they got to go on holiday lol. Most people don’t want 2 big dogs visiting.
I can’t eat cilantro either. ! leaf in a salad and I’m done. Skip the nuts
Hmmm, perhaps I shouldn’t despair about our zucchini then? (They are looking pretty dismal right now!)
I remember talking to my dad about how I still missed a dear friend who had died about two years previously. He nodded sagely and said softly, “Yes, I still really miss talking to Tom.” (Tom had been gone for over fifty years.) Maybe that’s how it is with the really great friends. We hold them closely to our hearts for the rest of our lives.
It seems that your dogs are doing the same with your friend. How heartbreakingly lovely.
There is hope for your zucchini…. always.
As to missing friends – yes they are always with us.
What a wonderful friend Tom must have been to your dad
He was indeed. And yes, our missing friends are always with us, aren’t they? This is somehow exceedingly comforting.
I’m afraid there is no hope for our zucchini. It has collapsed entirely. However, all is not lost. With its collapse, the red okra plants that I thought had not even sprouted have revealed themselves! Maybe, by a miracle, we will have one or two okra pods….
Vegetables are never reliable. I am normally overwhelmed with green beans by the end of August, having eaten them every day for weeks with no end in sight. Yesterday I picked the first, small handful of the year.