Heirloom Tomato Zucchini Salad Recipes

HEIRLOOM TOMATO & ZUCCHINI SALAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine tomatoes, zucchini and peppers. In a small bowl, whisk vinegar, oil, sugar and salt until blended. Stir in herbs., Just before serving, drizzle dressing over salad; toss gently to coat.

STUFFED ZUCCHINI BLOSSOMS WITH HEIRLOOM TOMATO SALAD

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, toss together the mozzarella, Parmesan and 2 tablespoons of the basil chiffonade. Gently stick your finger inside the flower all the way to the base where the flower meets the stem and carefully break off the stamen. When doing this be careful not to rip through the flower. Squeeze 2 tablespoons of the mozzarella mixture into an oblong shape and gently stuff it into each flower. Squeeze the flower around the cheese to close. Reserve.
• Toss the tomatoes together with the scallions and remaining basil in a large bowl. Sprinkle with salt and add a drizzle of red wine vinegar and extra-virgin olive oil. Taste to make sure it is delicious and adjust seasoning, if needed.
• In a small bowl, combine the flour and 1/2 cup of white wine. Mix until it becomes a loose batter adding more white wine, if necessary.
• Add peanut oil to a saucepan until it reaches a depth of 1-inch. Heat the oil over medium-high heat. Test the oil by dropping a couple of beads of the batter into it. When they float instantly the oil is ready. If the oil begins to smoke, it is too hot. Set up a paper towel drying situation before frying the flowers.
• Dip the flowers, 1 at time, into the batter and carefully drop them into the oil. Fry on both sides until they are golden brown, about 3 to 4 minutes. Remove the flowers from the oil, drain on paper towels and sprinkle with salt. Continue with the remaining flowers.
• Arrange the tomato salad on 4 salad plates and top each plate with 2 flowers.
• What a delicious flower!

HEIRLOOM TOMATOES AND ZUCCHINI PIE

Steps:

• Pie crust -- Preheat oven to 450 degrees and unfold your thawed pie crust in a pie plate and pork a few holes in it before baking. Bake 5-8 minutes to blind bake or slightly brown before adding the filling. Just lightly brown. Follow the directions of the pie crust.
• Vegetables -- Pre-cook the zucchini. I like to just bake on a cookie sheet lined with foil or parchment paper for 5-10 minutes. I drizzle with olive oil, salt and pepper and just spread out and bake at 400 degrees, until slightly cooked but not too soft. You just want them to get a head start is all.
• Make the pie -- Put the zucchini slices on the bottom of the pie crust after it comes out of the oven and slightly cooled. Top the zucchini with the thin onion rings, and now top with the heirloom tomatoes, it is fun to alternate the colors if you have them. If not, just layer them slightly overlapping to top the zucchini.
• Cheese mixture -- In a small bowl mix the cheese, mayo, parsley, thyme, salt and pepper.
• Spread the mixture over tomatoes. In a small bowl, melt the tablespoon of butter in the microwave and then add the bread crumbs and mix well. Top the tomato pie with the bread crumbs and bake 15-20 minutes at 425 degrees until golden brown.

FRESH HEIRLOOM TOMATO SALAD

Steps:

• Place salad greens in a large bowl. In a small bowl, whisk oil, vinegar, mustard, garlic, sugar and oregano until blended. Pour over salad greens; toss to coat. Transfer to a large platter. Arrange tomato slices over greens. Top with basil, pine nuts, onion and cheese. Serve immediately.