Charred Corn and Cherry Tomato Salad With Zucchini and Radishes Recipe

By
J. Kenji López-Alt
Kenji Lopez Alt
J. Kenji López-Alt
Culinary Consultant
Kenji is the former culinary director for Serious Eats and a current culinary consultant for the site. He is also a New York Times food columnist and the author of The Food Lab: Better Home Cooking Through Science.
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Updated August 30, 2018
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Charred Corn and Cherry Tomato Salad with Zucchini and Radishes. . J. Kenji Lopez-Alt

An easy salad that combines all the flavors of summer: charred sweet corn and zucchini, bright cherry tomatoes, crunchy radishes, and fresh herbs bound with just a hint of sour cream, lime, and cotija cheese.

Recipe Details

Charred Corn and Cherry Tomato Salad With Zucchini and Radishes Recipe

Active 20 mins
Total 30 mins
Serves 4 to 6 servings
Cook Mode (Keep screen awake)

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
  • 1 cup zucchini, cut into 1/2-inch dice (about 1 medium)
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 3 cups sweet corn kernels (cut from about 4 full ears)
  • 12 small radishes, cut into 1/2-inch chunks
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes, quartered
  • 1/2 cup roughly chopped fresh cilantro leaves and tender stems
  • 1/2 cup thinly sliced scallion greens and whites (about 4 whole scallions)
  • 1 serrano or jalapeño pepper, minced (about 2 tablespoons)
  • 1/4 cup Mexican style crema or sour cream
  • 1/2 cup coarsely crumbled or grated cotija cheese, plus more to garnish
  • 3 tablespoons juice from about 3 limes

Directions

  1. Heat half of oil in a large wok or cast iron skillet over high heat until smoking. Add zucchini in a single layer and cook without moving until well browned on first side, about 1 minute. Toss and continue to cook until browned all over but still firm, about 3 minutes total. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer to a large bowl.

  2. Heat remaining oil in the same pan over high heat until smoking. Add corn and cook without moving until well charred on first side, about 2 minutes. Scrape up charred corn from bottom of pan with a stiff spatula, toss, and char again. Repeat until corn is well charred on multiple surfaces, about 10 minutes total. Season to taste with salt and pepper and add to bowl with zucchini. Toss to combine. Allow to cool slightly, about 10 minutes.

  3. Add radishes, tomatoes, cilantro, scallions, serrano, crema, cotija, and lime juice, and toss to combine. Adjust seasoning to taste with salt and pepper. Serve immediately, sprinkled with extra cotija.

Special equipment

Wok or cast iron skillet

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