This easy zucchini pasta salad recipe seems to pop with the addition of thyme. This is a great recipe to try if you are new to herbs and are not sure what flavor to used in what dishes. You can substitute almost any herb for thyme, such as rosemary or oregano. This dish seems to call for strong tasting herbs to complement the feta cheese.
By using different herbs in the zucchini pasta salad is a great way to learn the flavor of the herb. Try using fresh as much as possible, but if dry is all you have, then add less because dry can be stronger. Some herbs such as basil don’t seem to have any taste when dry.
How about parsley with garlic and red onions. This dish was kept simple to allow your imagination to run free.
This dish can be change in a variety of ways. Try adding halved cherry tomatoes and basil, or how about adding some herb flavored vinegar to the olive oil.
Zucchini Pasta salad with thyme
Ingredients for the above Zucchini Pasta Salad
Zucchini Pasta Salad with Thyme
- 1 c. whole wheat orzo
- 1 zucchini, chopped
- 1 c. feta cheese
- 2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
- Fresh thyme about 2 tsp.or 1 tsp. dry
- Freshly ground pepper and salt to taste
Cut the zucchini lengthwise into fourths and cut again into pieces. Place the zucchini in the colander before draining the pasta. Cook the orzo about 7 to 8 minutes in 2 quarts of salted boiling water. Drain by pouring the boiling water with orzo over the zucchini, this will slightly cook the zucchini. Pour both zucchini and pasta in a bowl and add olive oil to coat. Mix in the thyme and feta cheese. Add salt and freshly ground pepper to taste. If you are using table salt use less than kosher salt. Toss gently. This dish can be served warm or cold.
This is a great dish to take for potlucks, the ingredients are safe to leave out for a short while, and it is good served at room temperature.
Tip: To strip the thyme, slide fingers down the stem opposite of way it grows. Hold the cut end up and pull downwards toward the growing tip. If the thyme is not strong enough add more until you have the taste you like. Just remember you can add more but removing the herb is tough.
Enjoy!