Thomas Straker's Courgette, Melon & Mozzarella Salad
Thomas Straker shares a courgette, melon and mozzarella salad to make the most of the season’s glut. Celebrating fresh flavours and and textures by letting the freshly picked, seasonal produce do the talking.
7 small courgettes
A bunch of basil leaves
1 red chilli, thinly sliced
1⁄2 honeymoon melon, cut or scooped into chunks
125g buffalo mozzarella, cut into quarters
1 lemon
Extra virgin olive oil
Flaky sea salt
Black pepper
Drizzle five of the courgettes with some olive oil, then place on a barbecue to grill until nicely charred all
over.
In the meantime, thinly slice the remaining two courgettes into rounds using a mandolin or sharp knife.
Add to a mixing bowl along with some basil leaves, the sliced chilli and the melon.
Remove the courgettes from the grill and cut into irregular, bite-sized pieces. Add to a separate bowl and
dress with olive oil, a good squeeze of lemon juice and some basil leaves. Season with salt and freshly
cracked black pepper, then set aside to marinate for 15-20 minutes.
Combine the cooked and raw courgettes together in one bowl, tossing gently to mix.
Arrange the mozzarella on a plate, topping with spoonfuls of the courgette and melon salad. Finish with a
final drizzle of olive oil and serve.
