This week we’re featuring produce from Laughing Crow Organics, a Certified Organic Vegetable farm located just up Highway 99 in Pemberton, BC. With a passion for sustainable farming practices and giving back to the community, Kerry and Budgie started their farming journey in 2013 with a modest farm and big dreams. Laughing Crow Organics has since grown into a thriving business that provides delicious organic produce to many homes and businesses. Visit Laughing Crow Organics every Sunday at the Whistler Farmers’ Market and be greeted by Kerry’s radiant smile and a cornucopia of delicious veggies.
Kerry and Budgie from Laughing Crow Organics
The Laughing Crow Organics abundance waiting for you at the Whistler Farmers’ Markets!
Introductions have been made, so without further ado–
Fresh Summer Salad with Citrus Marinated Zucchini Ribbons and Spicy Arugula
Looking for a new way to enjoy zucchini?
It’s zucchini season and the Sea to Sky’s sweetest and freshest squash are abundant at the Whistler Farmers’ Market through till late August. This recipe brightens a simple green salad with a citrusy punch of flavour from tender marinated zucchini ribbons. Use this recipe as a base and add your favourite toppings or adjust the seasoning to your taste– the best part of home cooking is you can make everything exactly how you like it.
INGREDIENTS
2 cups of zucchini ribbons
2-3 cups of arugula or other salad greens of your choice
2 tablespoons of olive oil
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
Juice of half a lemon + additional lemon to taste for dressing the greens
Zest of one lemon
1 teaspoon of sumac
Handful of blueberries
Handful of crumbled feta cheese
Pinch of chilli flakes
1 clove of minced garlic
Salt and freshly cracked pepper to taste
Any other ingredients you would like to add!
Method
Wash then cut off the tops and ends off of your zucchinis. Use a vegetable peeler or mandolin to create long, thin strips of zucchini, totaling about 2 cups of ribbons– we used a yellow and a green zucchini for a range of colour.
Put the zucchini into a bowl and use a fine grater to zest one lemon into the zucchini. Add the juice of half the lemon, a drizzle of olive oil, a splash of apple cider vinegar, a generous amount of freshly cracked pepper, and a pinch or two of salt to taste.
Add other flavourings you love to the zucchini. Here I used a clove of freshly minced garlic and some sumac for its punchy citrus flavour. Other good options could be maple syrup for sweetness (we recommend sourcing from Maples Sugar Shack at the market), fresh herbs like dill, parsley or basil from the market or your garden, or thinly sliced red onion!
Toss the zucchini well to combine and let sit for five minutes to absorb the flavours.
While your zucchini ribbons are marinating, plate your greens! Here we are using spicy arugula and spinach mix.
Lightly season your greens with a squeeze of lemon juice, a bit of olive oil, freshly cracked pepper and a sprinkle of salt. The market veggies are so fresh and tasty we like to keep the seasoning profile simple and let the produce’s natural and subtle flavours shine through.
Top your greens with the zucchini ribbons– add any of the remaining juices from the marinated zucchini to your salad for a more flavourful dressing.
You’re almost done with this simple, vibrant salad! Get creative and top your salad with any other ingredients you love. We chose to add some crumbled goat feta, chilli flakes and local blueberries (find blueberries at the market too! Try Mandair Farms, Hare’s Organic or AIG Produce) for a pop of sweetness in each bite. You could also add other veggies, capers, roasted nuts for crunch, or a protein of your choice like chickpeas, tofu or salmon to make this summer salad a quick and easy lunch or dinner!
Enjoy!
Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram @whistlerfarmersmarket for up to date information on who will be at the market each week, more recipes and market giveaways.
Please tag us @whistlerfarmersmarket or send us photos (on Instagram or by email: management@whistlerfarmersmarket.org) if you make this salad– we’d love to share your creations!
