More Vegetables in Salads

Salads don’t have to be just tossed greens with a slice of cucumber. Shifting the emphasis toward vegetables other than lettuce improves the nutritional value of a salad. It also adds rich textures and flavors. Lots of vegetables in your salad can even “upgrade” a side dish to an entrée or appetizer.

AVOCADOS IN SALADS

Avocados add creaminess, richness, and a wealth of nutrients to a dish. Choose avocados that are ripe or nearly ripe. To check for ripeness, cradle the avocado in the palm of your hand, wrap your fingers lightly around the avocado, and press very gently. A ripe avocado will give very slightly. Use the following guidelines to keep ripe avocados from turning brown.


Peel avocadoes just before you use them. Make a single cut, starting at the stem end and cutting completely around the avocado. Twist the two halves in opposite directions and pull the avocado apart to expose the seed (a large, round pit). Pry out the pit with your fingertips or a spoon. If the avocado is ripe, the skin will pull easily away from the flesh. Just bend the skin back slightly. Or, you may use a serving spoon to scoop out the flesh. Use a very sharp knife to cut the slices and sprinkle them with lemon or lime juice to prevent browning.

CORN IN SALADS

Although corn on the cob, served hot from the pot or grill, is a classic accompaniment to a main dish, it is also a perfect addition to salads. Plump, sweet kernels add a refreshing burst of flavor, as well as a flash of color. To prepare corn to serve cold, prepare it as you normally would. For a subtle, smoky taste, you may want to grill the corn. Steaming, boiling, and roasting are also great options.Pull the husk and silk away from the corn, if you haven’t already. Set the broad end of the ear of corn down on a stable work surface.

Use a chef’s or utility knife to cut the kernels away from the cob by making a slice from the tip to the end. The kernels should feel like they are “popping” off the cob. Once you’ve cut the kernels from the cob, you can break the large pieces up if you wish.