Summer squash and red quinoa salad with walnuts

Delight your taste buds with this harmonious blend of summer squash, red quinoa, and crunchy walnuts. A perfect balance of flavors and textures for a satisfyingly nutritious meal.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup red or other quinoa, rinsed in a fine-mesh sieve, drained
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt plus more for seasoning
• 450g assorted summer squash
• 2 tablespoons finely grated Parmesan plus 1/4 cup shaved with a peeler
• ¼ cup Parmesan
• 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon Sherry vinegar
• 6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup flat-leaf parsley leaves
• 1/2 cup walnuts, toasted
• 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, torn
• 29 g fat
• 3 g fiber

Instructions:

1. In a medium saucepan, combine quinoa with 4 cups of water and bring it to a boil. Add salt to season, then cover the saucepan, lower the heat to medium-low, and let it simmer until the quinoa is cooked through but still holds its shape, which should take around 12-15 minutes. Once done, drain any excess water, put the quinoa back into the hot saucepan, cover it, and allow it to sit for 15 minutes. After that, uncover, fluff the quinoa with a fork, and let it cool down.
2. Slice the squash into thin 1/8"-thick pieces, cutting some lengthwise and some crosswise. Place the slices in a large bowl, season with 2 teaspoons of salt, and toss them together to coat evenly. Let the squash sit for about 15 minutes until they slightly wilt. Rinse the squash under cold water, drain thoroughly, and pat them dry with paper towels.
3. In a medium bowl, combine grated Parmesan cheese, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vinegar. Slowly mix in the oil until it's well combined. Season the dressing with salt and pepper to taste.
4. In a large bowl, mix together the cooked squash, quinoa, parsley, walnuts, and basil. Pour the prepared dressing over the salad and toss everything together to coat evenly. To finish, top the dish with some shaved Parmesan cheese as a garnish.

Summary:

• Calories: 1741 kcal
• Fat: 140 g
• Protein: 48 g
• Carbs: 86 g
• Potassium: 2236 mg
• Magnesium: 389 mg