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Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 1 (162g) Recipe makes 4 servings The following items or measurements are not included below: 3 sprigs spring onions
Calories 207
Calories from Fat 123		(59%)
Amount Per Serving		%DV
	Total Fat 13.7g	21%
	Saturated Fat 3.3g	16%
	Monounsaturated Fat 8.4g
	Polyunsaturated Fat 1.4g
	Trans Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 11mg		3%
Sodium 241mg		10%
Potassium 334mg		9%
Total Carbohydrate 16.0g		5%
	Dietary Fiber 1.9g	7%
	Sugars 3.4g
Protein 6.2g		12%
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Chilled Orzo, Beaming Tomatoes, & Little Buster Zucchini

Recipe #237137 | 30 min | 10 min prep | add private note

⁽¹⁵⁾ RATE IT NOW Print Recipe

By: Andi of Longmeadow Farm
Jun 26, 2007

As I proceeded to look under the big leaves that towered over the medium to small sized zucchini's that were obviously hiding from view, I found a coupla of what I call "Little Busters zucchini" smiling up at me. (They are called that because they bust a prolific sweat on my brow hunting for them.) As usual, sweat was forming and puddling on those huge zucchini leaves, the sun was blazing in all its glory during one of those "Dog Days" in rural Maryland mid-August. Even though there was enough to feed every single person on our windy country road, that little zucchini looked perky and delicious. Scratching my head I pondered for a minute. "What could I do to another zucchini that hasn't been done this summer at least 20 times?" (Besides throwing them over the fence.) I spotted Dennis with his sun hat on bending over the tomato patch, with big beaming tomatoes greeting him. After a long afternoon spent weeding through the garden on that blistering afternoon we weren't very hungry, after all. Told Dennis to grab the biggest tomato he could find while I took "Little Buster" the zucchini and headed home in the "tomato wagon". By nightfall, after the animals and the farm settled down to sleep soundly, Dennis and I shared this salad, right on the porch overlooking the twinkling valley below. A nice glass of water, tingled with large ice cubes and lemon, a china plate and a nice helping of this salad was all we ever needed....in all the world that blessed August evening.

SERVES 4 (change servings and units)

Ingredients

2 ounces orzo pasta, cooked (cool in icebox if you get a chance or use any small pasta you choose)
1 small zucchini, peeled (cut into long thin strips)
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups tomatoes, diced
1/2 cup mozzarella cheese (cut into cubes)
3 sprigs spring onions, loosely chopped (or any onion if you don't have on hand)
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 tablespoons fresh cilantro (or dried decrease to 1 teaspoon for taste)
3 tablespoons olive oil (or "salad" oil as we say on the farm)
1/8 teaspoon black pepper, ground (to taste)
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

Directions

1
Throw peeled and sliced zucchini on some paper towels and sprinkle with salt, add another paper towel to top to sop up any zucchini juices.
2
In another bowl, mix together tomatoes, mozzarella, cilantro, spring onion, lemon juice, olive oil and seasonings.
3
On a plate, place a couple of tablespoons cooked Orzo pasta. (Pasta could be hot or chilled doesn't matter but do what you like.).
4
Add paper toweled and dried zucchini on top of Orzo.
5
Dish out tomato mixture on top of zucchini and Orzo.
6
Presto.
7
Done.

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Featured Reviews for This Recipe

From: Jackie #6

On Sep 3, 2009

This was a fantastic side to my grilled lamb. It tasted so fresh. I'm not a big zucchini fan, but I didn't mind the raw zucchini, in fact perhaps even liked it more than the cooked variety. My DH & I both raved over this at dinner last nite. In fact he took the leftovers (made the whole recipe for just the 2 of us, & glad I did) to work for lunch. It's so refreshing that on a hot day I can see this as your main course with a crusty bread. Thanks Andi for a really great recipe.

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From: WiGal

On Aug 22, 2009

Perfectly delicious, attractive, and healthy! I almost sauteed the zucchini but did not and so glad I left it raw. The combination of flavors is very nice. I love all your stories, Andi! Had for a wonderful lunch with my men who are splitting wood today and they enjoyed it also. Thanks for posting. Made for PRMR.

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From: Chef floWer

On Oct 20, 2007

What a wonderful story, I could imagine two farmers pottering around there veg patches looking for the next treat. I really enjoyed this recipe, I loved the freshness given by the tomatoes, zucchini, spring onions and lemon juice. I liked the seasoning of the salt, black pepper, coriander/cilantro and garlic powder. Yum! Thank you Andi for sharing your wonderful recipe and story... PS to the Aussies who can't find Orzo Pasta it's called Risoni Pasta in Australia.. :D

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From: Kumquat the Cat's friend

On Feb 14, 2008

This was an extremely fresh, light and tasty little recipe! We used fresh mozzarella, which enhanced the overall fresh taste. I also appreciated the lemon/pepper combination. The only thing we did differently was to reduce the oil by 1/3 to save some calories. Wonderful salad. Not only is Andi an expert at cooking, she an expert on writing as well