Zucchini Noodle Delight with Creamy Fresh Pesto
Dive into this refreshing and nutritious dish that creatively substitutes traditional pasta with spiralized zucchini noodles. Perfect for health-conscious food lovers and a delightful surprise for non-vegetarians, this raw 'pasta' dish bursts with vibrant flavors from freshly chopped zebra green tomatoes and a creamy homemade basil pesto. Ideal for summer gatherings or a light weeknight meal, this dish not only caters to raw food enthusiasts but also showcases the versatility of vegetables. Enjoy the elegant presentation and satisfying textures as you savor every bite!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
Zucchini
3 medium (peeled and spiralized)
Zebra green tomato
1 medium (seeded and chopped)
Extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon (for zucchini mixture)
Sea salt
1 pinch (to taste)
Black pepper
1 pinch (freshly ground, to taste)
Raw pine nuts
1 tablespoon (for garnish)
Basil leaves
as needed (for garnish)
Fresh basil leaves
2 cups packed (for pesto)
Minced garlic
1 teaspoon (for pesto)
Pine nuts
1/2 cup (preferably raw, for pesto)
Extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup (for pesto)
Extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons (for final adjustment)
Sea salt
1 teaspoon (for pesto)
Black pepper
1 pinch (freshly ground for pesto)
Instructions
1
Using a vegetable peeler or a spiralizer, carefully slice the zucchini into long, thin strips, discarding the central seeds.
2
Gather the zucchini strips and cut them into thinner 'noodle' shapes to resemble angel hair pasta.
3
In a medium mixing bowl, combine the zucchini noodles with the chopped zebra green tomato.
4
Drizzle the extra virgin olive oil over the zucchini mixture, season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, and toss gently to combine. Set aside.
5
To make the pesto, place the packed fresh basil leaves, minced garlic, raw pine nuts, 1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil, sea salt, and a pinch of black pepper into a blender.
6
Blend until smooth, ensuring some pine nut pieces remain for added texture. Adjust seasoning to taste.
7
Toss the zucchini and tomato mixture with just enough pesto to coat the noodles evenly, ensuring that every strand is flavorful.
8
Should you desire extra seasoning, feel free to sprinkle in additional salt and pepper as per your taste.
9
To serve, elegantly plate the zucchini noodles, garnishing with raw pine nuts and fresh basil leaves.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Zucchini Noodle Delight with Creamy Fresh Pesto?
It is a refreshing and nutritious raw dish that uses spiralized zucchini noodles as a substitute for traditional pasta, topped with a homemade basil pesto and zebra green tomatoes.
Is this recipe suitable for vegans?
Yes, this recipe is entirely plant-based and suitable for a vegan diet.
Is the Zucchini Noodle Delight gluten-free?
Yes, since it uses zucchini instead of wheat-based pasta, it is naturally gluten-free.
What type of tomatoes are used in this recipe?
This recipe specifically calls for one medium zebra green tomato, seeded and chopped.
Do I need a spiralizer to make the zucchini noodles?
While a spiralizer is recommended, you can also use a vegetable peeler to slice the zucchini into long, thin strips.
How many zucchinis are required for this dish?
The recipe requires 3 medium zucchinis.
Should the zucchini noodles be cooked?
No, this is a raw food dish; the zucchini noodles are served fresh without cooking to maintain their nutrients and texture.
What ingredients are in the homemade pesto?
The pesto consists of fresh basil leaves, minced garlic, raw pine nuts, extra virgin olive oil, sea salt, and black pepper.
What is the recommended texture for the pesto?
The pesto should be blended until smooth, but it is recommended to leave some pine nut pieces for added texture.
How much basil is needed for the pesto?
You will need 2 cups of packed fresh basil leaves for the pesto.
What kind of nuts are used in this recipe?
The recipe uses raw pine nuts both for the pesto and as a garnish.
How much garlic is used in the pesto?
The recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of minced garlic.
What type of oil is recommended?
Extra virgin olive oil is used for the zucchini mixture, the pesto, and final adjustments.
How much olive oil is used in total?
The recipe uses approximately 1 tablespoon for the zucchini, 1/4 cup for the pesto, and 2 additional tablespoons for final adjustments.
What part of the zucchini should be discarded?
When slicing or spiralizing, you should discard the central seeds of the zucchini.
How do I prepare the zebra green tomato?
The zebra green tomato should be seeded and chopped before being added to the noodles.
What seasoning is used for the zucchini mixture?
The zucchini and tomato mixture is seasoned with a pinch of sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Can I adjust the seasoning at the end?
Yes, you can sprinkle in additional salt and pepper as per your taste once the dish is assembled.
What is the garnish for this dish?
The dish is garnished with raw pine nuts and fresh basil leaves.
Is this a good dish for summer?
Yes, it is described as an ideal summer dish due to its light and refreshing nature.
How do you ensure the noodles are flavorful?
Toss the zucchini and tomato mixture with enough pesto to coat every strand evenly.
Is this recipe considered a light meal?
Yes, it is perfect for a light weeknight meal or a healthy lunch.
Does this dish contain cholesterol?
Based on the plant-based ingredients, this dish is naturally cholesterol-free.
Is the salt used specifically sea salt?
Yes, the recipe specifies sea salt for both the zucchini mixture and the pesto.
What is the total ingredient count?
There are 14 ingredients listed in the recipe instructions and details.
Can I use a blender for the pesto?
Yes, a blender is used to combine the basil, garlic, pine nuts, and oil into a smooth pesto.
What is the presentation style for this dish?
The zucchini noodles should be elegantly plated and garnished for a sophisticated look.
Is this dish suitable for non-vegetarians?
Yes, it is described as a delightful surprise for non-vegetarians due to its vibrant flavors.
How do I achieve an 'angel hair' shape with zucchini?
After peeling or spiralizing, gather the strips and cut them into thinner shapes to resemble angel hair pasta.
What categories does this recipe fall under?
The tags indicate it is raw, vegan, healthy, gluten-free, and vegetarian.