Israeli Couscous Salad with Summer Vegetables

Another recipe from FamilyFun.com. If you can't find Israeli couscous, try using orzo pasta.

Israeli Couscous Salad with Summer Vegetables

½ cup diced zucchini
½ cup diced yellow squash
2 cups Israeli couscous (not Moroccan)
2 tbsp. fresh lime juice
2 tsp. curry powder
1 tsp. cumin
½ tsp. turmeric
2 tsp. pure chili pepper powder
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
½ cup red bell pepper (¼-inch dice)
½ cup green bell pepper (¼-inch dice)
½ cup yellow bell pepper (¼-inch dice)
3 tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro
3 tbsp. chopped fresh Italian (flat-leaf) parsley
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the zucchini and yellow squash and cook just until tender but still crisp, about 2 minutes. Scoop the vegetables out of the water with a sieve, reserving the boiling water. Rinse them under cold water and set them aside.

Add the couscous to the boiling water and cook it until tender (10 minutes or more). Drain the couscous. Rinse it well with cold running water, then drain it well again.

In a large bowl, whisk the lime juice, curry powder, cumin, turmeric, and chili pepper powder. Gradually whisk in the oil. Mix in the couscous, reserved vegetables, cilantro, and parsley. Season the mixture with salt and pepper.

Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, until chilled. This salad can be prepared a day ahead; just reseason with lime juice, salt, and pepper before serving.

Quick Start with MSPI Mama: This is one of my Quick Start recipes.