Low Carb High Taste Zoodles (15 Minutes, Vegan)
- Updated on Jul 01, 2015
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“Fast, Faast, FAAAST. Last night I turned off the light switch in my hotel room and was in bed before the room was dark” – Muhammad Ali
This is pretty much how quick I got my zucchini noodles done. SPEED!
At first I didn’t think much of it, but when I was last on Amazon I just chucked this small zucchini noodle maker in my cart.
I liked it, because it’s not a massive kitchen tool, but it rather looks like an oversized pencil sharpener that you can put next to the glasses on your shelf.
Apart from that it looked like it would help me to whip up healthy meals fast! And so it did.
(FYI: WE don’t have a deal or anything with that zoodle maker, I just really like it. But I used an affiliate link as it would be silly not to, haha.)
Out came an Italian style Zucchini Noodle dish.
It’s super easy to prepare since you just have to throw your zoodles in a pan, slice your cherry tomatoes, chuck in some walnuts and finally add a tablespoon of pesto (if you’re vegan go for a pesto without cheese, for example this one.
Even the busiest anti cook should be able to throw this together for a quick lunch or dinner.
What’s more the dish tastes much better than the time spent on it would suggest.
On this note I have to mention that it’s already very good without the feta, but with it, it’s really next level stuff.
On top of that it’s a very nice low carb recipe, so if you’re following that particular way of living or are just wanting to cut down on carbs then this is a great place to start (more veggie low carb recipes this way!).
Plus, I had the impression the zucchini noodles actually taste a bit like pasta once they are spiraled.
Health Benefits – Low Carb High Taste Zoodles
Let’s swing the spotlight over to the star of this post’s show – the zucchini.
First of all I’ll have to reveal a long kept secret about the zucchini: it’s a FRUIT! (1); but well, just in botanical terms. When it comes to cooking it’s more similar to a vegetable.
Zucchinis keep well in the fridge for a long time, but they become bitter over an extended period, meaning they’re more enjoyable to eat fresh.
As already mentioned, zucchinis are the perfect fruit (!!) for people interested in losing weight. They’re high in water and just contain around 17 calories per 1 cup (223 grams) (2).
Looking at the micronutrients they unfortunately also keep it relatively low key.
Still, they do contain high amounts of vitamin C and potassium, important to avoid avoid fatigue, muscle damage and muscle weakness (3).
All in all a very cool fruit!
Now we’d love to know:
- What do you think about zoodles? Just a trend or a practical way to get more veggies into your diet?
- Can they really be a true pasta replacement?
- Do you think zucchinis should go to the fruit section in the supermarkets?
- What’s the difference between a courgette and a zucchini? Do you even care?
Ingredients
- 1 medium zucchini
- 1 cup basil, fresh
- 1 tbsp pesto
- 1 handful cherry tomatoes
- 1 handful walnuts
- Salt and pepper to taste
Optional
- ¼ cup feta cheese
Instructions
- Use a spiral maker to get those lovely zucchini noodles aka zoodles. If you don’t have that magical thingy, you can also simply dice up the zucchini.
- Off it goes into the pan with a little bit of olive oil. Set it on medium heat.
- Cut the cherry tomatoes in halves and add them to the pan. Also add the walnuts.
- Give it a nice toss. After around 7-8 minutes add the pesto and give it another toss.
- To finish off the zoodles garnish with basil leaves (and feta cheese, if you have it around)
- Ready. Enjoy!
NOTES
IF YOU LIKED THIS RECIPE: Then you should definitely check out how to make Pesto yourself! Super quick to make and damn tasty! If you’re interested a real pasta dish, you HAVE TO check out this Pasta Salad With Peanut Butter! MAKE IT VEGAN: Just get a vegan pesto (like this one and BAM!, it’s vegan 🙂 Recipe inspired by Two Peas and Their Pod
Nutrition
Comments
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27 comments
NOMMMM!!! I haven’t used my spiralizer in a long time, and it’s time I WHIP IT OUT… Like, right this very second! Come to mama! LOL!
hahaha, make it real Gigi! 😀
Oh! I’m so in love with zoodles! Thanks for sharing!
me too! Hope there won’t come up any jealousy! 😉
I really have to get a spiralizer. This idea is just too cool not to try. And I love ANYTHING with cherry tomatoes. Nice touch with the walnuts!
Well, I guess then this actually might be a good recipe for you!
Just got a spiralizer so I’m looking for lots of great ideas to make use of it. Thanks!
I love zoodles, so happy to find new recipes to use up all this zucchini!
You’re also in love with zoodles?!? I guess we have to find a way to make it work for all of us, hahaha 😀
I am going to try this for sure… looks delicious!
I love this recipe. I have seen different recipes around the web for zoodles and now seeing it here makes me want to make them even more. Great pictures!
Sounds great! I love zoodles and bet they’re great with the feta.
Love this recipe Howie! Zoodles are the best, and I always make them during summer. I haven’t tried them with pesto before though, so I’ll definitely have to try this out. Thanks so much for sharing!
hey Harriet, they are excellent with pesto! So easy as well.
I am totally obsessed with noodles this summer (mainly because it is an easy way to get my kids to eat all sorts of veg 🙂 ) This recipe sounds amazing!
Thanks Donna! I agree, somehow spiralizing stuff makes it taste better, hahaha
Great recipe Howie! I love using my spiralizer, in fact I just used it today for some carrots! I am loving this because zucchini is my favorite vegetable. It’s been awhile since I’ve actually made zoodles…time to get to it again! Sounds amazing with pesto! I’m a pesto fiend!
Hahaaa, zucchini is actually a fruit! 😀
Yes, the spiralizer is definitely more fun than I thought!
I love zoodles, I was on a low carb diet for a while but it didn’t agree with me, but still trying to keep pretty low carb. Definitely gotta try them this way!
Give it a go! Actually, if you eat two zucchinis and a whole bunch of walnuts and cherry tomatoes it doesnt feel like low carb at all anymore! 😉
This was absolutely amazing. This is a great meal for Weight Watchers too. I used three large tomatoes diced up but other than that I followed the recipe as is. I have added this to my favorites list on my kitchen computer and we will be making it again for sure.
Hi Joseph,
thanks for that super cool feedback!! 😀
Yep, it’s deffo a good recipe if you’re looking to reduce weight. Glad you liked it too!
Yum, I just made this- added more of the vegan pesto than the recipe called for, and added fresh spinach. It was great- thanks for the recipe!
Awesomeee 😀
Really glad you liked our zoodle recipe, Mary!
This was really good! If you are two people eating you really need two zuccihnies.
Glad you liked the recipe, Lotta 😀
And thanks for the tip regarding the zucchini!
I had put the spiralizer away, I will dust it off. Thank you, I was looking for fresh ideas for low-carb meals. Only one comment if I may, instead of multitasking and risking burning the tofu, may I suggest meal preparation first. Here is a super cool podcast on how to meal prep https://www.vegetarianzen.com/vz-039-meal-prepping-shortcuts/. It makes your recipe even easier to prepare. Thank you again for such a great recipe.