Succotash Salad

Serves 6

by Joanne Weir
from Cooking Confidence
Last Edit Date: 12/20/2012 3:54:13 PM

The two essential succotash elements, sweet corn and shelling beans, are joined by green beans, red bell pepper, and zucchini. This light main dish salad is as simple as cooking the vegetables in boiling water until just tender and tossing them in a tart lemon dressing. Red onions add a nice crisp bite, while torn fresh basil leaves lend a beautiful freshness to the dish.

more about:

3 ears fresh sweet corn on the cob, husked and halved
1 cup fresh shelling beans or 3⁄4 lb. frozen baby lima beans
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 lb. green beans and/or yellow wax beans, cut into 1-inch lengths
1 medium zucchini, cut into 1⁄2-inch dice
1 medium red bell pepper, cut into 1⁄2-inch dice
1⁄2 red onion, cut into 1⁄2-inch dice
2-1⁄2 Tbs. freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
2 Tbs. canola oil
3 Tbs. torn fresh basil leaves

Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil. Add the corn and simmer, uncovered, until the kernels turn slightly darker yellow, 5 to 6 minutes. With tongs, remove the corn from the water and let cool. Cut the kernels off the cobs; discard the cobs and reserve the kernels.

Bring the saucepan of water to a boil again. Add the fresh shelling beans and simmer until tender, 25 to 30 minutes. If you are using frozen lima beans, simmer for 5 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and cool.

Bring the same saucepan of water to a boil. Add 1 tsp. salt and the string or wax beans and simmer until almost tender but still very crisp, about 4 minutes. Add the zucchini and simmer for an additional 2 minutes. Drain and cool.

Place the butter or lima beans, string or wax beans, corn, zucchini, peppers, and onions in a large bowl.

In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, olive oil, and canola oil. Season with salt and pepper. Add the dressing and basil to the bean and corn mixture and stir together. Place the salad in a large serving bowl and serve.