Roasted Zucchini & Corn Salad with Green Goddess Dressing 

This Roasted Zucchini & Corn Salad with Green Goddess Dressing is a bright, veggie-packed dish combining tender roasted zucchini, sweet corn, toasted walnuts, creamy cotija cheese, and black beans. Tossed in a vibrant, herbaceous green goddess dressing made from fresh herbs, cashews, capers, lemon, garlic, olive oil, and honey (or omitted for vegan), this salad delivers bold freshness and satisfying crunch. It’s perfect for summer meals, potlucks, or as a light main or side dish that’s nutrient-rich, customizable, refreshing—and unforgettable. 

Ingredients

Salad

• Zucchini, chopped
  
  

• Fresh corn on the cob
  
  

• Toasted walnuts
  
  

• Black beans
  
  

• Cotija cheese (omit or replace with vegan feta for vegan option)
  
  

Green Goddess Dressing

• Fresh herbs (e.g. basil, parsley, chives)
  
  

• Raw cashews
  
  

• Lemon juice
  
  

• Olive oil
  
  

• Garlic
  
  

• Capers
  
  

• Honey (omit or substitute sweetener for vegan)
  
  

• Water (to thin to desired consistency)
  
  

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 450 °F (230 °C). On a large baking sheet, toss zucchini with olive oil, salt, and pepper. On the other half, place the whole corn. Roast zucchini for ~20 minutes, then remove. Continue roasting corn for another ~15 minutes until husks darken and kernels are lightly charred. Remove and cool.

2. When cool, remove husks and silk from corn, and cut kernels into a large bowl. Add roasted zucchini, toasted walnuts, and black beans. Hold off on adding cotija until cooled to prevent melting.
   
   

3. Meanwhile prepare the dressing: blanch herbs by dropping each into boiling water for ~15 seconds, then ice water. Dry herbs and add to a high-speed blender with cashews, minced garlic, capers, lemon juice, olive oil, honey (if using), and salt/pepper. Blend, adding ~¼ cup water at a time until smooth and pourable.
   
   

4. Once salad is cooled, toss in cotija cheese. Drizzle with green goddess dressing and serve immediately.
   
   

Nutrients (approximate per serving, 4 servings)

• Calories: ~300–400 kcal (depending on cheese, nuts, oil)
  
  

• Fat: moderate‑high (from walnuts, olive oil, cashews)
  
  

• Protein: ~6–8 g (beans, cheese, nuts)
  
  

• Carbohydrates: ~25–30 g (primarily from corn and zucchini)
  
  

• Fiber: ~5–7 g (from beans, vegetables, nuts)
  
  

• Sodium: moderate (cotija or capers and added salt)