Zoodles are zucchini noodles. This healthier alternative to pasta tastes the same – but without gluten, grain or wheat. Zoodles are incredibly easy to make, nutritious and unprocessed. If you are looking to reduce calories, or add more vegetables to your diet – these are truly a find. This recipe comes with green pea pesto. You will love this ode to spring which tickles the taste buds on so many levels.
Zoodles: Zucchini Noodles
Zoodles and green pea pesto recipe on thegoodista.com
Zoodles are unprocessed, nutritious, low carb, wheat, grain and gluten-free lightly steamed zucchini noodles. If you are looking to reduce calories they are of course far lower compared to pasta.
- Pasta: One cup=236 grams = 221 calories and 43 g of carbohydrates
- Zoodles: One cup = 236 grams = 25 calories and 4,6 g of carbohydrates. Zoodles also have the advantage of additional vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, which pasta does not have.
Order from Amzon.co.uk
To appreciate how great these green spirals are, you need to taste them.
You will need to get a spiralizer for best results – which is my newfound best kitchen tool.
It was very cheap to get, and I use it for all sorts of vegetables. Carrots, cucumber, daikon, beets, and zucchini come out like long spirals and look just like spaghetti or noodles. You can order yours from Amazon in the UK, or US – just click on the images.
The spiralizer will lend itself to salads, lightly steamed zoodles, and any decorative additions to your dishes. I love mine – and this recipe would not have become as successful without it, but you can of course just cut very thinly or use an ordinary grater.
Spiralizer from Amazon.com
My best tip is to first try the zucchini noodles lightly steamed. Simply add a few drops extra virgin olive oil and parmesan cheese – and hop! that’s your dinner or healthy side dish.
You will see how kids get curious, and actually eat them too with great delight. The internet is full of great recipes that you can explore – and your spiraliser will be your new best kitchen friend, just like mine is. 🙂
Zoodles with Green Pea Pesto
This recipe came about because I love green peas – and healthy vegetarian tasty dishes. Green peas are best frozen, as they are not messed with in any way. Their nutritional content is as high as if they were fresh. The key to green peas is to never over-cook them. 1 Minute in a steam or boiling water – that’s it!
Zoodles and green pea pesto recipe on thegoodista.com
Zoodles are a perfect marriage with green peas – and what makes the pesto part is the addition of parmesan cheese, and sun-dried tomatoes. I didn’t add any nuts, so the word pesto is a bit doubtful – but it sounds much better than dreadful mushy peas. (which always come over-stewed and flavour less – sorry!)
If you need to convert from metric try this site: Cooking Conversion
- 2 Zucchini - small to medium size
- 1/2 Lemon
- Water for steaming ( water should barely reach the bottom of your steamer)
- Salt
- 500 g Green Peas frozen
- 1/2 Lemon
- 4 Sundried Tomatoes - roughly cut
- 1 Tbs Olive Oil
- 1 Onion - sweet, yellow mediterranean or 1/2 northern european as they are sharper in taste.
- 50 g Parmesan - Parmeggiano Reggiano is always best!
- Chill and Garlic to taste.
- 4 -5 Basil leaves
- 100 ml of water
- Black pepper - but no salt as the cheese and tomatoes provide plenty.
- Cut the ends of your zucchini, and use the spiraliser to get the long ribbons that form the zucchini noodles. Set aside until ready to steam.
- Cut one lemon in half, and use 1/2 for the noodle steaming and 1/2 for the green pea pesto.
- Take out your hand processor and have it ready for the pesto making part.
- First light fry the onion in some olive oil, add the water and let the onions infuse to a boil.
- Add the roughly cut sundried tomatoes, and continue to let it bubble until you have 50 ml or half the water left. Now the frozen peas go in, as you turn down the heat and let it simmer for max 1 minute.
- Pour your whole green pea, onion, tomato mixing a new bowl. Add the juice of 1/3 lemon, fresh basil leaves and the parmesan cheese.
- Hand mix until consistency is pesto looking.
- Now add water and 1/2 lemon to a saucepan, so it barely touches the bottom of your steamer.
- Steam the zucchini ribbons for 2 minutes - no more!
- Serve up the zoodles with the green pea pesto. Add some grated parmesan and basil for looks and a dash of olive oil.
- Bon Apetit!
- You can vary this recipe according to taste, inspiration and mood! Feel free to play with the quantities, as the recipe above is for 2 portions only. Enjoy!
Do You Like Zoodles Too?
