This makes me very happy.
The sun is back, baby!
You know what is also back?
Summer Squash.
I promise not to drop any more F-bombs on you for a while. [Fall, that is.]
Ok, ok, the ridiculously cute Summer Squash were never gone. They were just hibernating for a while in my crisper until I decided what the heck to do with them.
My motto is, when in doubt grab a knife and get chopping.
Sometimes I don’t know what I am making until I am half way through!
Juicy. Hydrating. Fresh.
In the prime of their life!
Avocados (aka vegan butter!) are also back.
I used to cringe at avocado when I saw OSGMOM eat it. ‘That looks gross!’, I would scoff sticking out my tongue.
Now, I have to make up for lost time.
….and Cocktail Tomatoes. The fancy, fun, life of the party tomato.
They make me want to mix up a Bloody Mary!
I mourn the days when tomatoes will not be in season…I won’t dare mention the W-word…
But let us not worry of the future. Right now they are sweet, bursting with colour, and so fragrant it hurts.
Energy in a bowl.
Soaked cashews.
When you soak the cashews in water overnight in the fridge they get all plump and juicy and are so addicting. Make sure you give them a little sprinkle of sea salt just before serving! I use raw cashews.
My mother in law is here visiting and she brought me a bunch of her herbs!
Boom.
This salad makes me believe that summer will never end. And right now, that is all I need.
When you hear me complaining about being knee deep in snow come January, please tell me to make this salad to cheer me up.
Actually, don’t. I will cry like a baby when I discover I am 6 months away from having more summer squash and good tasting tomatoes.
Avocado, Cashew, Tomato, & Summer Squash Salad
Ingredients:
- 1.5 large summer squash (I used yellow and green patty pan)
- 8 Cocktail tomatoes (or any variety)
- 1/2 cup soaked cashews
- 2 small avocados
- 3-4 basil leaves, finely chopped
- Better than Bottled Balsamic Vinaigrette
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Sea salt, to taste
Directions: Mix the dressing in a small bowl and set aside. Chop all veggies and toss everything into a bowl except for the avocado. Add dressing and mix well. Top with avocado last. Serves 3-4.
This was incredible…and plenty of leftovers too. :)
The Better than Bottled Balsamic Vinaigrette contenders: Apple cider vinegar, pure maple syrup, cold-pressed sunflower oil, and Himalayan sea salt
I can’t believe I used to buy bottled salad dressing for all those years. I know it’s hard to believe, but I really don’t miss the long ingredient list that I can’t pronounce. Or the high-fructose corn syrup. Or the Disodium Inosinate. Or Yellow 5.
Some of you have been asking me how to purchase affordable pure maple syrup and my suggestion is to buy locally (obviously, this depends greatly on your location!) and in bulk whenever possible. If you are in Ontario, check out this listing for local maple syrup producers: Ontario Maple Wholesalers.
Now for a quick desk stretch and then back to my paper work. Goodnight!
so my best friend used to hate avocado as well. She has recently converted, but now she steals all my avocado! I think I liked her better when she hated it, haha jk :)
Amazing, fresh food! Love it!
All your produce looks amazing! I just recently discovered that guacamole isn’t as horrifying as I always thought it was…our palates are always changing!
I too have been waxing poetic about fresh, local tomatoes. I have to restock at least twice a week!! I will literally cry when the season ends… boooohooooo.
Looks like a great week in store for you up there! I love beautiful fresh salads, looks great!
Also, I’ve been meaning to make that better than balsamic for a while now, I keep forgetting – sounds delicious!
I also used to think avocado and guac were “gross” — what was I thinking???
The salad looks great, and yes, here in MN it was super hot, then brisk for a few days (50s) and soon it will be back in the 80s! Summer is still here!
I love the photos of the water drops on the squash! And I also love that forecast even more! I would have never known that soaking cashews would plump them up… I’ll have to give it a try!
You lucky girl! We here in Alberta are not so lucky. We have good/summer weather today and then the weekend is supposed to be 11! Eek! Dusting off the pants now.
It is pretty amazing that you can capture summer in a bowl. Love the cashew idea – I’ve plumped them before for raw dessert recipes, but never thought to just munch on them that way!
Soaked cashews?! Wow I have never heard of that before, but they look tasty! What do you soak them in?
Wow that looks amazing…! I might need to make a trip to the farmer’s market :) Love your blog…Just found it the other day. I used to have an eating disorder as well, and I am loving discovering nourishing food and the real joys of a life lived healthy and whole. Keep up the good work :)
Absolutely gorgeous photos!!!
Maple syrup is SO expensive here… even at the local farm right down the road!
I cant wait till the warmer weather, despite how much I love F***, Summer cant be beat .
I’ve never heard of soaking cashews before… I’m gonna give that a go!
Beautiful veggies and squash! I especially love the pic of those big red tomatoes – lovely!
I might be getting a DSLR camera tomorrowwwwwwwwwww!!!!!
I used to hate avocado too! What was I thinking…(it doesn’t taste like much)
I buy maple syrup at costco because it’s *a lot* cheaper!
I love summer salads! Ahhh yum!
Wow, I bet you do get cheap maple syrup since they make it in Canada… unfortunately Chicago is not exactly known for our syrup manufacturers ;) Even at Costco the stuff is off the hook expensive!! But soooooooooo, so good :)
Oh gosh..how do you make the most amazing and beauitful creations every day!!??