Feet under my table -Leslie J. Watkins,  Food

Zucchini Zoodles- A Fix to the Zucchini Abundance!

It’s zucchini season here and it’s overflowing! Do you have that problem, too? Hayco Farms brings me lovely zucchini in my weekly CSA boxes and I was in search of easy and great ways to feed my family. This is such an easy solution for a delicious and healthy way to solve that problem, that I had to share it with you. If you haven’t tried zucchini zoodles, you are missing out! It’s wonderful for my WW plan, too!

So…what are zucchini zoodles?

They are zucchini cut by a spiralizer in different shapes that are a great alternative and low carb version of “pasta”. I have a hand spiralizer that I used for today’s dish since it was just lunch for one…but, I also have an electric one that is perfect for a family dinner. Here are a few that are similar to what I use:

This is SO EASY and perfect for a fast easy lunch or dinner that I had to share it.

The Bella electric spiralizer is the one that I have and it has lots of options for different types of shapes.

(I have attached affiliate links for your shopping convenience in case you need one of these! It costs you no more to shop from these links, just saves you time and helps me to grow here!)

Seriously.

I simply wash my zucchini and remove the ends. I leave the peeling on since most of nutrients in veggies are near the skin. They add fiber and so much more healthy benefits to leave them on, and it saves time in preparing them. too.

I used my hand spiralizer and simply turned the zucchini to get these great “pasta” looking strands of raw zucchini zoodles.

The hand spiralizers are easy to find and use! This one has two sizes for zucchini zoodles…one on each end.

I love to steam mine and just add them to a steamer for my microwave and microwave for about three minutes, drain the liquid and they are ready to add sauce, fresh herbs, and a fresh grated parmesan cheese to the top!

Brilliant!

Zucchini Zoodles

An easy and healthy replacement for pasta!
5 from 5 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 1

Equipment

  • spiralizer, either hand or electric
  • steamer or microwave safe covered dish
  • Saute' pan.

Ingredients
  

  • Zucchini I estimate one per serving, depending on size and portion
  • Marinara
  • olive oil
  • minced garlic
  • onion or shallots, minced
  • cherry tomatoes, cut in half
  • lemon zest
  • Grated Parmesan
  • Fresh basil, oregano, thyme or rosemary

Instructions
 

  • Wash one zucchini per serving, and depending on zucchini size. Remove ends from zucchini.
  • Place zucchini in spiralizer and if hand held, turn zucchini so that the spiralizer cuts into long strands of "spaghetti" looking zucchini. My spiralizer has a holder on the top so that you can push down and get all of the zucchini to push through.
    My electric spiralizer is fast and easy with great instructions and 4 versions from ribbons to zoodles to use for pasta replacement, soups and other great recipes.
  • Place the zucchini in a microwave steamer or microwave safe covered dish and microwave for about 3 minutes. Drain liquid from zoodles.
    ***TIP: You may steam these on the stove, too, if you'd prefer.
  • Slice fresh cherry tomatoes in half.
    Mince garlic and finely chop onion or shallots.
  • Add garlic, shallots or onion, and cherry tomatoes to a bit of olive oil to caramelize tomatoes and saute ingredients together.
  • Heat your favorite marinara sauce and add in the sauteed vegetables.
  • Place zoodles on your serving dish or plate.
  • Pour sauce over the top of the zoodles.
  • Sprinkle with your favorite herbs and lemon zest.
  • Top with freshly grated parmesan. Serve!

Notes

The FASTEST and EASIEST way to prepare a healthy version of a “pasta” dish!
TIP: You can leave out the sauteed vegetables and simply add marinara and parmesan cheese over the zoodles for a faster and easier version.
 
Keyword marinara, zoodles, zucchini

Here’s the finished product! For those looking to have a great way to handle the overflow of zucchini…this is a great solution! It is fresh, delicious and a low carb solution when you want a “pasta” fix!

TIP: I spiralize before a gathering and tuck the spiralized zucchini zoodles in ziploc bags ahead of time. Another time saver for summer gatherings!

Zucchini overflow problem solved!

Meanwhile, I am over here also making a great new zucchini bread recipe, zucchini gratin, zucchini soup and a new dish with a lovely garlic and herb oil infusion! Stay tuned! Seriously….I have a LOT of zucchini!

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