When you eat based on the seasons, you can eat inexpensively — at least, that's what sustainable food experts always say. While I don't always find the best values at my farmers markets, I will agree that right now is the perfect time to take advantage of Summer produce that's so abundant that growers are practically giving it away. Case in point: everywhere I turn, I spot in-season zucchini, and they're going for a dollar a pound.
Zucchini's delicately sweet and vegetal nature plays out best in a simple, unadorned preparation like carpaccio. Slice it thinly on a mandoline (or not, if you have mad knife skills), then drizzle the plate with a light marinade of lemon juice, sea salt, and olive oil. Pine nuts add meatiness, and pecorino shavings add just a hint of bite. In mere minutes, you'll be facing a platter that encapsulates the taste of Summer. Keep reading for the carpaccio recipe.
