Chilled Marinated Vegetables
A vibrant, tangy chilled vegetable medley marinated in lemon and herbs, perfect for light summer meals or as a refreshing side dish for any occasion.
Ingredients
- 3 c. small whole fresh mushrooms ⓘ
- 2 c. small zucchini or yellow summer squash, sliced into 1/2-inch pieces ⓘ
- 1 sweet red pepper, cut into 1/2-inch squares ⓘ
- 2 c. small broccoli florets
- 1/4 c. lemon juice ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. olive oil or canola oil ⓘ
- 3 packets Equal sweetener ⓘ
- 1/4 tsp. salt ⓘ
- 1/4 tsp. dried oregano or Italian seasoning ⓘ
- 1/4 tsp. pepper ⓘ
- 1 clove garlic, minced ⓘ
Instructions
- Combine all the vegetables in a plastic bag.
- In a small bowl, whisk together lemon juice, olive oil, sweetener, salt, oregano, pepper, and minced garlic.
- Pour the marinade over the vegetables in the plastic bag.
- Seal the bag and toss gently to coat all vegetables evenly.
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving to allow flavors to meld.
- Serve chilled as a refreshing side dish.
Tips & Substitutions
For added flavor, consider using different types of mushrooms or incorporating seasonal vegetables like asparagus or bell peppers. If you prefer a sweeter marinade, substitute honey or maple syrup for the Equal sweetener. Fresh herbs such as basil or parsley can enhance the dish as well. Remember to cut the vegetables uniformly for even marination.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these chilled marinated vegetables as a refreshing side dish alongside grilled meats or seafood. They pair beautifully with Mediterranean recipes and can add a vibrant touch to a picnic spread. For a complete meal, consider serving with hummus from dried chickpeas or alongside mini muffaletta sandwiches.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover marinated vegetables in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. They can be enjoyed cold straight from the fridge or at room temperature. Avoid reheating to maintain the crisp texture and vibrant flavors. If you want to freshen them up, add a splash more lemon juice before serving.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Chilled Marinated Vegetables contains roughly 597 calories, with 19g protein, 135g carbohydrates, and 16g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (289% of the Daily Value), iron (222% of the Daily Value), and calcium (154% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin A. It also contributes 81g of dietary fiber toward your daily target.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen vegetables for this recipe?
While fresh vegetables are recommended for the best texture and flavor, you can use thawed frozen vegetables. Just ensure they are well-drained to avoid excess moisture in the marinade. However, be aware that the texture may be softer than with fresh produce.
How long can I marinate the vegetables?
You can marinate the vegetables for as little as 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld, but for even better taste, marinating overnight is ideal. Just remember to store them in the refrigerator during the marination process to maintain freshness.
What other vegetables work well in this recipe?
Feel free to experiment with your favorite vegetables! Carrots, cherry tomatoes, or even cauliflower florets can be great additions. Just ensure they are cut into similar sizes for even marination and consider adjusting the marinade quantities based on the vegetables used.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).