Imagine you're sitting on a cozy Italian terrace, surrounded by the sweet aroma of tomatoes and basil, watching the sunset over the rolling hills. You take a sip of your Chianti and twirl your fork into a bowl of steaming hot pasta... or do you?
Hold on to your forks because we're about to introduce you to a low-carb alternative that will blow your taste buds away. Say goodbye to the bloated feeling and hello to the zesty freshness of our Zucchini Noodle "Pasta" Salad!
This dish combines the goodness of summer vegetables with a deliciously tangy dressing, making for the perfect guilt-free indulgence. Trust us. Your taste buds won't even know the difference.
So this salad will impress whether you're trying to keep it light or just in the mood for a refreshing twist on a classic dish. Get ready to slurp those zoodles up!
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Servings |
4 Persons |
|
Preparation Time |
5 Minutes |
|
Cooking Time |
10 Minutes |
|
Total Time |
15 Minutes |
Nutritional Facts
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Calories |
299 cal |
|
Protein |
7 g |
|
Carbs |
12 g |
|
Fat |
25 g |
Ingredients
- 5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons red-wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 1 small shallot, chopped
- 1 clove garlic, grated
- 16 ounces spiralized zucchini noodles
- 3 cups halved cherry tomatoes
- ⅓ cup pitted Kalamata olives
- ¾ cup shaved Parmesan cheese, divided
Instructions
- Combine the oil, vinegar, oregano, mustard, crushed red pepper, shallot, and garlic in a sizable bowl.
- Toss lightly to include zucchini noodles, tomatoes, olives, and half the Parmesan.
- Sprinkle the leftover Parmesan over all four bowls after dividing evenly. Viola!
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Well, that's all from the recipe, but here's a bonus for you. Do you want to know how to make zucchini noodles in the comfort of your own home? Who doesn't? Let's begin, shall we?
How to Make Zucchini Noodles?
Making zucchini noodles is an art, and you need to be a perfectionist to make these healthy noodles. There are three ways to make Zucchini noodles; here are the details.
1. With a Julienne Peeler
The great thing about a julienne peeler is that you likely already have one in your kitchen, making it a convenient tool for making zucchini pasta. A julienne peeler often comes in a dual design, with one side juliennes and the other slices. This is perfect for creating thick, flat slices of zucchini noodles.
One of the biggest benefits of using a julienne peeler is its size. It takes up virtually no space in your kitchen and can easily fit in your utensil drawer. When it comes to zucchini noodles, a julienne peeler creates the thinnest, most delicate noodles. You can then quickly pull the strands apart with your fingers for a delicious and healthy pasta alternative.
2. With a Spiralizer
A spiralizer is a kitchen tool that creates curls of your favorite vegetables in just seconds. It's the fastest tool available and requires minimal effort or strength, thanks to its suction cup feet that keep it in place. Simply cut off the ends of the zucchini, place it next to the blade, and spin away. In less than 8 seconds, the entire zucchini will be spiral sliced and ready to use.
With this tool, you can make zucchini noodles and slice up other vegetables like carrots, sweet potatoes, apples, and pears. The options are endless!
The spiralizer offers easy-to-swap-out blades, allowing you to easily make your favorite carrot pasta, curly sweet potato fries, or apple chips. While it may be larger than other options, it's still a favorite due to its sturdy construction, different blade/slicing options, and reasonable price point.
3. With a Mandoline
A mandoline slicer is another kitchen tool that creates julienne noodles that are slightly thicker than a peeler but does it half the time. It offers several blade options, allowing you to vary the thickness and create different styles of flat zucchini pasta, consistent slices, or rounds. While it has several benefits, the blades on a mandoline slicer are incredibly sharp, so using a plastic holder or a cut-resistant glove is essential to avoid injury.
The mandoline slicer is also versatile, effortlessly slicing through hard vegetables, making it an excellent option for creating various dishes. While the julienne noodles may be slightly thicker than those created by a peeler, the mandoline slicer offers the advantage of being faster and easier to use.
The Bottom Line
This low-carb zucchini noodle "pasta" salad is perfect for anyone craving a healthy and flavorful meal. The combination of zucchini noodles, cherry tomatoes, fresh oregano, and olive oil delivers a tasty and filling meal that is low in carbs and high in nutrients.
Not only is this dish delicious and satisfying, but it is also extremely easy to make. With minimal preparation time and simple ingredients, you can whip up this salad quickly. It is perfect for a quick lunch or a light dinner.
Furthermore, this dish is a great way to incorporate more vegetables and healthy fats into your diet. The zucchini noodles replace traditional carb-heavy pasta, and the cherry tomatoes provide healthy nutrients.
Overall, this low-carb zucchini noodle "pasta" salad is a refreshing and healthy option for anyone looking to maintain a balanced diet without sacrificing flavor. Give it a try and see for yourself!
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