This zucchini rice recipe is full of cubes of zucchini, flaked tuna, and fragrant lemon zest that is refreshing and full of summer flavor. While this rice makes a wonderful side dish, it is also great as a light main since it contains your protein, starch, and vegetables in one dish.
To make this zucchini rice, you boil zucchini with carnaroli rice before tossing the mixture with flaked tuna, basil, lemon, salt, pepper, and olive oil. The results are a pilaf-like mixture full of tons of flavour.
What is Zucchini Rice?
This zucchini rice recipe is a rice pilaf mixture full of zucchini, lemon zest, basil, and tuna. This recipe uses Carnaroli rice, which is a medium grain rice from northern Italy. Commonly used for risotto, this type of rice holds its shape extremely well while having a starchy texture.
Pro Tips
- Don’t overcook the zucchini and rice. Simply boil them until they are tender but are still holding their shapes.
- Cut the zucchini into small even-sized cubes to ensure that you get some in every bite of rice.
- Allow the rice and zucchini mixture to cool completely before you add the remaining ingredients as the heat will wilt the basil.
- If you can’t find Carnaroli rice, you could replace it with arborio which has a similar texture.
- Feel free to add other ingredients to the zucchini rice mixture such as olives, sun-dried tomatoes, lemon juice, parsley, or oregano.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Carnaroli Rice?
Carnaroli rice is a type of medium-grain rice that is grown in the northern Italian provinces like Pavia, Vercelli, and Novara.
Can I Make Zucchini Rice Vegetarian?
Yes, if you don’t eat fish, you can simply omit the tuna. This dish would also be great with the addition of plant-based protein such as chickpeas.
Can I Add Other Ingredients to Zucchini Rice?
Yes, you can! This zucchini rice would be wonderful with the addition of other ingredients like grape tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, olives, cheese, parsley, and more.
How to Store Tuna & Zucchini Rice Salad
Leftover zucchini rice can be stored in a sealed container in the fridge for 2 to 3 days. It isn’t ideal to freeze it as freezing would make the rice mushy.
Ingredients
How to Make Tuna & Zucchini Rice Salad
Cut the zucchini into small cubes.
Cut the zucchini into small cubes.
Boil the rice with the zucchini for 15 minutes. Drain the rice mixture and set it aside in a bowl to cool.
Boil the rice with the zucchini for 15 minutes. Drain the rice mixture and set it aside in a bowl to cool.
Stir the rice mixture with the flaked tuna, basil, lemon zest, salt, pepper, and extra virgin olive oil until combined.
Stir the rice mixture with the flaked tuna, basil, lemon zest, salt, pepper, and extra virgin olive oil until combined.
Serve and enjoy!
Serve and enjoy!
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