If you’ve never used a spiralizer to make zucchini pasta, you are truly missing out! I finally caved and bought a legitimate one that has a crank, and I love it! I’m growing zucchini and cucumbers in my garden, so I figured I should start spiralizing!
As far as kitchen appliances go, spiralizers are fairly inexpensive and have a wide price range so you can choose what you like. Mine is a 4-blade Paderno, and I love how compact and easy it is to use and clean.
I decided to use my spiralizer to make a simple lunch that is light, cool, and tastes like summer. I used the smallest blade to create angel hair pasta, but a larger cut would work well too. I threw an avocado, fresh basil, lemon, pistachios, salt and pepper into a food processor to make an oil-free pesto that’s creamy and full of fresh flavor.
This basil pesto is SO GOOD. It almost didn’t make it to the pasta because I kept sampling it!
I use this basil pesto as one of the layers in my zucchini & tomato lasagna, which you should also try!
The key to capturing those fresh summer flavors is to use the best produce you can find — preferably local or from your own garden!
- 1-2 zucchini, spiralized into noodles
- ¼ cup pistachios
- Large handful fresh basil leaves
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 small avocado
- ¼ tsp. sea salt, plus more to taste
- Black pepper
- 1 ear of corn, uncooked
- Handful grape or cherry tomatoes, cut in half
- Optional: large pinch micro greens, fresh basil for garnish
- Place zucchini noodles in a large bowl.
- Process pistachios, basil, lemon juice, avocado, salt, and pepper in a food processor until fairly smooth, scraping sides as necessary.
- Add basil pesto to bowl with noodles a few Tablespoons at a time until desired amount of sauciness is reached.
- Divide pasta between two plates and add tomato halves, corn kernels, micro greens, and fresh basil leaves if desired. Sprinkle with more sea salt and pepper and serve!
This zucchini pasta dish comes together quickly and is such a beautiful and delicious dish! And since you’re replacing pasta with zucchini, it’s a low-carb and lower calorie option for those of us who aren’t thrilled about the idea of wearing a swimsuit this summer.
So now it’s time to buy a spiralizer and start turning your hard veggies into noodles!
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