Carpaccio is traditionally made with raw meat or fish, but this vegetarian version swaps that for tender slices of zucchini. Scatter over slices of pickled plum, drizzle with dressing, and finish with a few herbs, toasted nuts, or even crumbled cheese if you like. Recipe compliment of Juicy Delicious.

Ingredients

• 180ml white wine vinegar
• 125g castor sugar
• 3 sprigs rosemary
• 3 sprigs thyme
• 3 bay leaves
• 2 garlic cloves, sliced
• 1 Tbsp grated ginger
• 1⁄4 tsp salt
• 1⁄4 tsp peppercorns
• 3 plums sliced into wedges
• 1 red onion thinly sliced
• 3 plums thinly sliced, using a peeler or a mandolin slicer
• 4 medium sized Zucchini, thinly sliced into circles, using peeler or mandolin slicer
• 20g wild rocket leaves
• 20g sunflower seeds, lightly toasted

Sunflower seed dressing:

• 100g raw sunflower seeds
• Juice and zest of 1 lemon
• 1Tbsp chopped mint
• 1Tbsp chopped basil
• 1 Tbsp chopped parsley
• 2 garlic cloves
• 60ml water
• 20ml olive oil
• 1Tbsp honey 1tsp salt

Method

1. In a saucepan, bring to the boil the vinegar, sugar, rosemary, thyme, and bay leaves Cook for 5 minutes, remove from heat, and allow to cool slightly.
2. In a separate bowl, place the garlic, ginger, plum wedges and red onion, and mix them together before pouring the hot pickling vinegar mixture over the plums and onions.
3. Mix well, cover, and leave to marinade for 2 hours.
4. While the plums marinate, make the dressing by blending all the ingredients for the dressing until smooth and creamy. Cover and set aside.
5. To plate, neatly arrange the zucchini and the thinly sliced plums on a platter, then top with rocket leaves.
6. Scoop the plums and onions from the pickling solution and place in top of the rocket leaves.
7. Serve dressed in sunflower seed dressing.