I know, it’s not TECHNICALLY summer yet. But we’ve had a gorgeous string of days in the 70’s and 80’s, and the Southern husband has hosed down the outside table on the patio and revved up the grill a few times, and so that’s good enough for me. It’s summer in my back yard, and I’m celebrating with some ribbons. Summer vegetable ribbons!
You can technically make these any old time of year, but they are a wonderful thing to make when you want something festive on your plate next to your grilled buttermilk chicken, or your grilled steak with chimichurri sauce, or whatever it is you are grilling. And this side dish takes pretty much no time to make, so you’ll have plenty of time to sit outside smelling the early summer roses before suppertime.
Here’s all there is to it: grab your trusty vegetable peeler, a couple of green and yellow summer squash, and a few of these….
Peel the outside of the carrots as you normally would, and peel one strip down the side of each squash, and toss those. Now grab a big bowl and using the peeler to cut super-thin ribbons of each veggie into the bowl. It’s going to look like you have a LOT of ribbons, but don’t fret…they are going to settle down considerably when you cook them.
After you have your beautiful bowl of ribbons, melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add your ribbons, and use tongs to toss them in the butter for about 2-3 minutes until they are just cooked through. Now season with a little bit of salt and fresh ground pepper, and you are done!
Well, except for the arranging part. If you are a normal person, you will just put the ribbons onto plate or a serving bowl and dig in. If you are me, you will spend an inordinate amount of time arranging your ribbons so they look super-pretty.
I can’t help myself. I do this with presents too, so all of you out there who have ever gotten a present from me? I tied that bow about 15 times until I got it right. I know, I know.
Vegetable ribbons! Hello, summer.
Summer Vegetable Ribbons
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 zucchini squash
- 1 yellow squash
- 4 carrots
- 2 tablespoons butter
- Coarse salt and fresh ground pepper
Instructions
- Using a vegetable peeler, peel just the outside skin of the carrots, and one long strip of the outside skin of each squash and discard.
- Now peel long strips of the squash and the carrots directly into a large bowl. Try and make the strip the entire length of the vegetable. With the squash, once you get close to the middle it might be easiest to flip it over and start again from the other side (also discarding that first outside layer of peel).
- Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium high heat (do not brown it.) Add the ribbons and toss for a few minutes until just tender. Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve immediately.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 servings
Still Hungry?
Zucchini Carpaccio, from Framed Cooks
Sauteed Squash from Add A Pinch
Carrots with Thyme, from Framed Cooks
Christine Masterson says
Hi,
Thanks for sharing. I just loved your blog, Just seen a ribbon there, and I loved that. I also have a business related to ribbons and bows, and we manufacture Ribbons and Bows for holidays and event.
Cupcake and Talk says
This is so easy to make. I hope my 4 year old will try some. Thank you for the recipe.
Kate says
My pleasure! I hope he likes it – it’s a fun way to eat your veggies!
Carrie P. says
Yum! and what a pretty dish it makes.
Kate says
That’s one of my favorite parts of it – pretty veggies! :)
Joanne says
Veggies look so much prettier in ribbon form!
Kate says
Right? I’m trying to figure out what else I can “ribbon.” :)
ruthie says
I like that there’s such a variety of veggies in this, and they’re ethereal enough not to fight for prominence. I love summer veggies with just butter and s&p, too. You can actually taste them. Pretty, too. ;)
Kate says
Thanks…and don’t forget the part where you can make ’em in about 10 minutes. I love that almost as much. :)
Robyn Stone | Add a Pinch says
Oh these are gorgeous, Kate! I am now craving vegetable ribbons on my salad for lunch!
Kate says
Thanks Robyn! You still have time to make them – they are SO quick and easy! Have a delicious lunch. :)