Squash Ceviche w/ Blueberries and Jalapeno {raw + vegan}

Welcome back from your holiday! I think we can all agree that raw + vegan isn't my usual MO when it comes to cooking, but I was looking for something super light and fresh after a weekend of....you know....not light and fresh, and also I was creating a recipe for a raw contest and THIS happened and it is actually delicious, even without fat, cooking or animal products. 

Seriously. 

You know how lime juice can cook stuff and that's why it's used with raw fish to cook it juuuuuust a little bit in regular ceviche?  It's delicious, and this is a pure-veg version of that.  The flavors of the varying veg and fruit and really delicious, AND since there ain't no cooking this is done FAST.  Like, 10 minutes to make, 20 minutes to rest, eat.  You could eat it right away if you're in a hurry, but I like this after it rests with the lime juice just for a little bit.  

Let's get right to it!

You need squash, a small onion (this is a spring vidalia, but a hunk of whatever onion you've got on hand is fine), a garlic clove, some parsley, some blueberries, and a lime.  

And a jalapeno!  I almost forgot about him!  

Now, I made quick work of the veggies with my mandoline, which I'd highly suggest investing in if you don't own one.  If you're not into random sharp objects in your drawers (um....not those drawers), just use a sharp knife and slice everything as thinly as you can.  

I use the second thinnest level for the squash...

...and for the onion....

....and then use the VERY THINNEST setting for the garlic so it's not too strong throughout the dish.  

Then we have mandonlined veggies all ready to go!

Use the same super thin setting for half the jalapeno...

....and stir the veggies all together.  Then, zest the lime and set the lime zest aside.  

Squeeze the lime juice into the vegetables, and stir to coat the veg in the lime, which will soften and cook the veggies.  Now, set the salad aside for 20-30 minutes - we don't want the veggies to go for too long since they're sliced so thinly.  

Right before you'd like to serve, add the blueberries and the lime zest to the ceviche.  Stir everything together.   How pretty!

Then, top the whole mess with parsley, and SERVE!  I like to add the blueberries last because I don't want them to start cooking - I want them to stay sweet to balance the tart from the lime.  I also serve this with a slotted spoon so the veg juice that might come out while the ceviche sits doesn't end up on your plate.  

Look how pretty!  This is simple, delicious, and fresh.  You could mix up the veggies or fruit based on what you have on hand or need to use up, and it'd be just as delicious.  

Perfect for a super healthy summer meal or...with fried chicken, which is how we ate it.  

Whatever.