Grilled Zucchini & Mozzarella Salad with Pesto

We grill a lot of zucchini during the summer cottage season because it’s abundant, inexpensive, and the perfect vegetable addition to any summer meal. It’s also delicious served at room temperature, in a salad like this one, which means you can either cook it in advance (or use leftovers) and store it in the fridge until you’re ready to assemble it. Tossed with a sweet basil pesto and adorned with creamy mozzarella and crispy radish rounds, this salad is a stone-cold stunner! – The Essential Cottage Cookbook by Andrea Buckett, Appetite by Random House

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Grilled Zucchini & Mozzarella Salad with Pesto

Course Main Course

Servings 4 servings

Author Andrea Buckett, author of The Essential Cottage Cookbook

Ingredients

3 zucchini halved lengthwise
2 teaspoons oil
10 cherry tomatoes halved
¼ cup Nut-Free Arugula & Basil Pesto or store- bought pesto
Salt and pepper
1 7 oz (200 g) ball fresh mozzarella cheese, drained
4 radishes thinly sliced
Torn fresh basil for garnish

Instructions

Preheat a clean barbecue to high heat (425–450°F).
To grill: Brush the zucchini with the oil. Grill for about 3 minutes per side or until dark grill marks appear and the zucchini is still tender-crisp. Do not overcook, or it will get soggy as it cools. Transfer the zucchini to a plate to cool.
Cut the cooled zucchini on the bias into 1-inch pieces. If not preparing the salad immediately, transfer the zucchini to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 days.
To serve: In a large bowl, combine the zucchini, tomatoes, and pesto. Season with salt and pepper and stir to combine. Arrange the salad on a serving plate.
Rip the cheese into bite-sized pieces and scatter on top of the vegetables. Garnish with the radishes and basil. Serve immediately.

Notes

TIP: Do not use a block of mozzarella for this recipe. Instead, opt for fresh mozzarella that is stored in water. It’s much more tender and has a milder, milkier flavor.

Excerpted from The Essential Cottage Cookbook by Andrea Buckett. Copyright © 2025 Andrea Buckett. Photographs by Betty Shin Binon. Published by Appetite by Random House®, a division of Penguin Random House Canada Limited. Reproduced by arrangement with the Publisher. All rights reserved.