We made it back to our cabin in the woods for the first time in two years.
It sits atop a forested hill overlooking a quiet, clean lake. We bought the original fishing cabin about 12 years ago with its bumps and bruises and have since fixed it up, little by little, turning it into something slightly more livable for our family. The functionality has improved but the simplicity remains the same.
Wifi free we disconnect from the noise around us for a while and enjoy long swims with warbling loons, sunset sails and roaring campfires that endure through the night.
One deliciously lazy afternoon my husband and I sat in a trance watching a couple of hummingbirds catch water droplets off our rotating sprinkler. Their suspended bodies vibrating wildly as the sun hit their iridescent wings in bands of silver and gold.
Above our outstretched bodies on the dock, the night sky is clear and black and filled with winking stars. We fall asleep to a racket of throaty frogs and wake to a most enthusiastic, and early rising, woodpecker. Even this is welcome.
On my favorite walk to nowhere along the winding gravel road, I encounter not one but six wild rabbits in pairs of two. Observing and then eventually photographing, it occurs to me that one of them is stuck and unmoving – frozen in the middle of the road and without a friend. Flush with guilt, I gently crouch down and then lay flat on my back to remove any perceived threat and watch the bunny bounce to freedom out of the corner of my eye.
I never realized just how high and far rabbits can jump. I’ve only ever been up close to them in cages before.
All the things we look at but don’t see.
~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
And this salad…
Full of seasonal goodness! Thin strips of raw zucchini are surrounded by paprika spiced grilled corn, creamy avocado, juicy blueberry and crunchy sunflower seeds ~ the salad is then drizzled in a soothing honey-herb buttermilk dressing.
I’ve been working on perfecting my homespun version of buttermilk ranch and I’m so pleased with the result. It only takes a few minutes to whip it up too. Be sure to read the Notes in the recipe card for best results.
And remember, there’s still plenty of summer to enjoy so let’s not rush the process. The snow will arrive soon enough; meantime, let’s savor the green.
- The Salad
- 2 ears of shucked corn cooked on the grill, (or 1 cup corn kernels)
- ¼ tsp smoked paprika
- 2 medium sized zucchinis, sliced thin with a mandoline
- 1 avocado, diced
- 2 Tbsp sunflower seed
- ½ cup fresh blueberries
- The Herbed Buttermilk Dressing
- 4 Tbsp buttermilk
- 2 Tbsp natural mayonnaise (see Notes)
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
- ½ tsp apple cider vinegar
- ½ tsp honey
- pinch sea salt, coarse pepper
- 2 tsp finely chopped dill
- At least one hour before serving time, assemble the Herb Buttermilk dressing ingredients in a container with fitted lid shaking and/or whisking to fully combine - store in fridge. Making the dressing ahead allows the ingredients time to harmonize and the flavors to develop.
- Brush shucked corn with olive oil and sprinkle with paprika.
- Heat barbecue to high setting and then reduce to low heat as you place corn on the grill.
- Grill corn for approximately 6-8 minutes, rotating as you go along and adding more paprika if you wish, until the corn is cooked and nicely browned in spots.
- Carefully remove corn from grill and allow cobs to cool slightly before slicing the corn off the cobs with a knife.
- Assemble zucchini ribbons on a serving plate and top with grilled corn, chopped avocado, blueberries and sunflower seeds.
- Remove Herbed Buttermilk dressing from fridge, give it a good shake or whisk and taste making any final flavor adjustments desired before drizzling over salad. Enjoy!
Mandoline - if you search the word mandoline on my site you will see all of the recipes I've made using my mandoline (a worthwhile $14 investment).
Raw Zucchini - I have come to love the taste of raw zucchini - particularly in the company of a delicious dressing - but if it's not your thing, you could grill the strips along with the corn in a vegetable basket.
Sizing - I know many of you are growing your own gorgeous garden zucchini and I have seen some the size of an adult's head! If you are working with a huge zucchini just slice enough to reasonably accommodate your salad servings.
Non-grill option - if you don't have a grill or don't wish to use it for this recipe, simply use 1 cup of sweet corn kernels (you can boil the cobs or steam from frozen). If you wish you can also sauté some corn in a skillet with a splash of olive oil and a sprinkle of paprika.
Mayonnaise - I prefer a simple olive oil & egg mixture for mayonnaise which can be tricky to find in stores. (Even the one's that announce that they are made with olive oil almost always list soybean oil as the first ingredient). A combination of fat fear and a preference for cheap oil means that the more traditional whole ingredients are scarce on the shelves. Empire mayonnaise is one brand available at Whole Foods but you can also try your hand at making your own mayo - it's wonderfully simple - here is one method.
Such gorgeous scenery…and bunnies!! I’m happy to hear you got to disconnect and enjoy some time at your cabin! I just did a three day hike and had no cell or wifi reception for the whole time. It was amazing….I’ve been so incredibly busy lately I think I’ve forgotten what it actually means to disconnect. Nothing like time with nature to give you a refreshed and revitalized perspective.
I love your gorgeous zucchini ribbon salad. I’m still obsessed with anything that has smoked paprika! Although the other day making kombucha I accidentally grabbed a pinch of smoked paprika instead of cayenne to add to my mixture…not so good!! Haha
The dressing sounds delicious too. We have been making a super cool mayo at the cafe I work at. We used to make a soy-based vegan mayo which none of us were to happy about (the soy thing…) so now we make one using a creamy sunflower seed base with olive oil and grape seed oil and it’s great! I love homemade mayo, especially now that you can just whip everything together in the vitamix. I think I made it a few too many times by hand, with a whisk in cooking school to appreciate that process…hah!
Such beautiful pictures, Kelly! You cabin looks the perfect relaxing retreat. And that bunny had such long legs! I can almost imagine how high and far and jumped while you were laying down. :)
This salad is also gorgeous! The fresh zucchini tastes incredible right now and I’m sure that dressing makes it even better!!
What a beautiful warm post, Kelly. I already feel relaxed and calm only reading your words and looking at the photographs. I cannot believe you have made such perfect, immediate hunger-inducing photographs in your cabin! I love the way you have described this beautiful salad. Every single word is necessary… I can close my eyes and feel the textures dancing under my palate…
I haven’t had raw zucchini this summer yet! (I still haven’t exactly realised all the vegetables suddenly have real flavours!). Oh, and I’ve never had a buttermilk dressing all my life! (Actually the last time I had buttermilk… must have been more than ten years ago…). I must quickly try it!
I am so happy you made it to your cabin! I know how much that setting means to you and the family. Smiling brightly over here knowing you were so happy. The pictures are gorgeous, and yes, let’s savor the green!!! I love your line about all we look at but do not see. I know exactly what you mean. Nature is such a great reminder of that. Loved this post Kelly. Xx
although I like to think I could find my way back there in my heart even when far away, it sure is wonderful to be there :) thank you Kristy.
Such a peaceful, wonderful post and those photos are stunning! Exactly what summer is all about! Always looking for new and interesting ways to eat zucchini!
what a lovely note to read… thank you. I hope your summer is going well too Donna.
Thank you for sharing your magical place with us! It’s just as I imagined. And that salad, divine!
thank you Kim ❤️
What a beautiful spot, it reminds me of our cabin. How fortunate that you were able to get there this year. It’s lucky that you saw the bunnies, we haven’t seen one at the lake in years.
The salad is beautiful, I love the ribbons and paprika grilled corn. I’m going to give your buttermilk dressing a go for tomorrow’s lunch. I had planned a dish from Tosca Reno’s Eat-Clean cookbook, but your beautiful photos have inspired me. XOXO
I find myself using paprika more and more – robust without being overbearing (that could describe many things – heeheeh) I hope you enjoy the dressing if you give it a try. Yes, the cottage… we are very blessed Eva. I truly cherish it.
What a beautiful plate of food! Very pretty presentation. Looks delicious. And I love the combination of flavors; especially the blueberries!
Hi Jenn! what a delight to read your comment. Blueberries make my heart sing :) Thank you kindly for coming by and welcome to Inspired Edibles.
ALL of your pictures are gorgeous! What a beautiful getaway. To be somewhere where you can go to sleep and wake up to sounds of nature – there’s nothing better to feed the soul. Rabbits are sly little buggers aren’t they? :) That salad of yours is so elegant! You definitely know how to make a simple vegetable like zucchini look irresistible. Love that buttermilk dressing, but I never would have thought to pair it with this salad. Very inspiring my dear!
thank you MJ — the mandoline does all the work with the ribbons — I could not, to save my life, ever carve out something nearly as elegant with my own hands. the ingredients seem to come together nicely – the dressing is so mild but gives just that hint of creamy deliciousness to the fruit & veg :)
Your writing is so beautiful. For a moment I felt as if I was lying right there next to you, hoping that bunny would be okay.
I’m so glad you were able to get away and enjoy your cabin. Sounds like a place of solitude. And what a gorgeous salad. So many elements of flavor! Beautiful presentation too. xo
I know… the bunny. my heart sank when I realized the fear. the other thing is how different bunnies who have to earn their living are built — the long lean body (not as much food) and extension for fleeing. nature is an amazing thing to witness. thank you for your kind words about my writing Amanda.
Your cabin, the dock, the boys with your pup and ducks… the rabbit and hummingbirds. I was there… enjoying each piece of bliss. Recharging is a must and going to a place that nurtures our soul is so important to our well being. Loved seeing the cabin, old and new, the love and care that went into the details of making it new again. And this salad. The buttermilk dressing got my attention! Looking forward to trying your recipe, Kelly! Welcome back my dear! xx
thank you kindly Traci – there is so much beauty all around us and being in that natural environment disconnected allows us to sink into it for a while… xx
Welcome back, Kelly! I loved seeing pictures from your beautiful retreat. What a perfect place to unwind and get away from technology for a bit. And this salad! So, so gorgeous. I have never made my own buttermilk dressing, so I’m looking forward to trying out your recipe. And I love how you’ve added a sweet element with the blueberries! This is a great meal for these hot, lazy summer days…
yes, indeed. I’ve made it clear to all that the day we get wifi at the cabin is the day I stop going :). i think you would really enjoy this simple, light buttermilk dressing Julia – it’s delicious on just about everything!
This post brought me a lot of peace, in the beginning of a day that promises to be super stressful as far as work is concerned.
good to have this frame of mind right now, and face it all with a smile!
the shots of the salad are absolutely perfect!
amen to peace. I hope it was a good week Sally.
Breathtakingly beautiful photos! The salad looks totally refreshing and delicious.
thank you so much Angie – I hope you’re having a beautiful summer too!
Oh, this is just so beautiful Kelly. That first photo is magic, I love the fade out (not sure what you call that in photography). So… any chance of you renting your cabin? :) Seriously, it looks like the most heavenly place and I loved reading your description of all the moments. You really have a gift for words. This salad is exactly what I’m in the mood for. Fresh, simple and full of summer – thank you! (now I want to go for a swim in that serene lake).
thank you Clare… I’m happy the words resonated with you. You know when you love something, things flow clear. I want to go back and swim in that lake too…
Wow…gorgeous photos and a gorgeous salad. It just sounds and looks so delicious. Perfect, since now is the time I have about 20 zucchini sitting in my refrigerator. So glad you had a chance to get back to the cabin. Definitely is a great recharge. We are heading to our wire-less vacation this weekend, and I can’t wait. Glad you’re back, missed you! XXX
hello lovely! not sure if you caught it in the notes, but the reference to zucchini being the size of an adult’s head? yup, that’s from your IG photo :) love it so much… your boys bring me the biggest smile. xx
Kelly… the writing, the photos and this salad, all gorgeous!! I felt like I was with you on the dock, watching the hummingbirds and crouching out of the way of that adorable rabbit – so beautifully written and captured. What a gift for all of you to be able to return to your place of peace and restoration. I’ve been seeing more and more zucchini ribbons and I have to agree the $14 mandoline investment definitely seems worthwhile ;-) I love all the ingredients you’ve brought together in this stunning salad including those plump cheerful blueberries. I’m looking forward to trying your homemade buttermilk dressing; sounds delightful and yes, real mayo!
it really was a gift Elizabeth – I had been missing this peaceful place and all the good that flows from it. Thank you, as always, for your kind and supportive words – yes, the buttermilk dressing – so lovely and light… I hope you enjoy :)
Welcome back Kelly! It sounds like you had such a wonderful time recharging. I felt peaceful just reading your post. Recently I was able to have a bit of a reprieve up in the Adirondacks. Breathing that fresh air is so life giving, literally. Didn’t stop my kids from being crazy. LOL Love the Zucchini ribbons! xo Emilie
how beautiful – I grew up in the Laurentian mountains (Quebec) the northern extension of the Adirondacks. Yes…boys are rarely still — at any age!! :p
What a beautiful, beautiful spot. We have (had) a lake cabin house-sitting gig for the past five summers and I really miss it. (Schedules did not work out to do it this summer.) You have a gem of a view.
Thanks Debra – there’s nothing quite like fresh water. I hope you make it back to your lake spot soon!