Hello garden goodies!
It’s that time of year when the zukes, squash, and tomatoes and abundant in gardens across the land. And I’ve got the p.e.r.f.e.c.t recipe that will use them all up in one shot!
There’s just something about a chilled orzo salad during the summertime—it just makes my tongue, my tummy and my heart happy! Orzo is the perfect size, texture and does beautifully in a salad with lightly sautéed vegetables and fresh herbs from the garden.
This pasta salad is perfect for the first picking of cherry, grape or other smaller varieties of tomatoes. And, in the summer months, zucchini and squash can be purchased for as little as 50 cents per pound at farmer’s markets and even the grocery store.
Pick up some orzo at the store and some squash and tomatoes from the garden or farmer’s market and enjoy this pasta salad for lunch or dinner next week!
Chilled Summer Squash and Orzo Salad
Yield – 4 servings
Preparation Time – 10 minutes (+ at least 2 hours to chill)
Cooking Time – 20 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups orzo pasta
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
- 1 medium zucchini, about ½ pound, diced
- 1 medium yellow squash, about ½ pound, diced
- 1 pint grape tomatoes, halved
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil to garnish
Directions
- Cook the orzo according to the package directions. Drain.
- In a medium skillet, add the olive oil and red wine vinegar and sauté the diced zucchini, diced yellow squash and halved tomatoes for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Toss the cooked vegetables with the orzo.
- Chill at least two hours in the refrigerator before serving.
- Serve summer squash and tomato orzo Salad for a light lunch, or for dinner with a side of grilled chicken or fresh fruit.
Do you have a favorite chilled pasta salad that you enjoy every summer?!
Recipe originally posted on SCJohnson.com.
That orzo salad sounds perfect. I have a ton of grape tomatoes and squash right now.
Good luck with your manuscript this week. Thanks for the link-up.
Oh, that looks so good. Orzo makes meals super easy. And I’m sure those veggies could go with couscous or another grain, too.
I thought we were done with zucchini for awhile, but my husband brought in two more from the garden yesterday (and some tomatoes). Hoping the kids go for this meal (or can at least eat around the visible veggies)… it meets our needs for food allergies. Thanks for the link-up!