Zucchini Noodles with Creamy Cashew Pesto
This delightful Zucchini Noodles with Creamy Cashew Pesto recipe transforms fresh zucchini into a vibrant, low-carb pasta that is both delicious and nutritious. Utilizing a spiralizer, mandolin, or sharp knife, you'll create beautiful strands of zucchini that serve as the perfect base for our rich and flavorful cashew pesto. The pesto features fresh basil, garlic, and a hint of lemon or lime, combined with creamy raw cashews and a touch of nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor without dairy. This dish is not only gluten-free and almost raw but also packed with healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals. Perfect for a light lunch or dinner, this meal is both satisfying and restorative. For more innovative, health-focused recipes, be sure to explore my blog at www.innerharmonynutrition.com.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
Fresh basil leaves
1/2 cup (packed)
Garlic cloves
2 (peeled)
Raw cashew nuts
1/4 cup (unsalted)
Extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup (cold-pressed)
Lemon or lime juice
1 tablespoon (freshly squeezed)
Nutritional yeast
1 1/2 tablespoons (raw)
Zucchini
2 (washed and trimmed)
Salt
1/2 teaspoon (to taste)
Instructions
1
Begin by preparing the cashew pesto. In a food processor, combine the fresh basil leaves, garlic cloves, raw cashew nuts, extra-virgin olive oil, lemon or lime juice, nutritional yeast, and salt. Process until smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides as needed. Adjust seasoning to taste.
2
Next, wash and trim the zucchini. Using a spiral slicer, mandolin, or sharp knife, slice the zucchini into long noodle-like strips. If using a knife, aim for thin, even slices to mimic pasta.
3
Place the freshly spiralized zucchini noodles into a large mixing bowl. Sprinkle with salt and toss gently to combine. The salt will help to draw out excess moisture from the zucchini, enhancing the texture of your dish.
4
Add the creamy cashew pesto to the zucchini noodles and gently mix until the noodles are evenly coated. Be careful not to overmix to preserve the integrity of the zucchini strips.
5
Serve immediately, garnished with fresh basil leaves or a sprinkle of extra nutritional yeast if desired. Enjoy your beautiful, nutritious creation infused with love!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Zucchini Noodles with Creamy Cashew Pesto?
It is a vibrant, low-carb pasta alternative made from spiralized zucchini and a nutrient-dense, dairy-free cashew-based pesto.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, this recipe is naturally gluten-free because it uses fresh zucchini instead of traditional wheat pasta.
What tools can I use to make the zucchini noodles?
You can use a spiralizer, a mandolin, or a sharp knife to create thin, noodle-like strips from the zucchini.
What ingredients are needed for the creamy cashew pesto?
The pesto consists of fresh basil leaves, garlic cloves, raw cashew nuts, extra-virgin olive oil, lemon or lime juice, nutritional yeast, and salt.
Is this recipe vegan?
Yes, this recipe is vegan-friendly as it uses nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor instead of dairy products.
Why do you add salt to the zucchini noodles before mixing?
Salt helps to draw out excess moisture from the zucchini, which improves the texture and prevents the dish from becoming too watery.
Can I use lime juice instead of lemon juice?
Yes, the recipe allows for either freshly squeezed lemon or lime juice depending on your preference.
How do I achieve a creamy texture for the pesto?
Processing the raw cashew nuts with olive oil and other ingredients in a food processor until smooth creates the creamy consistency.
Is this a raw food recipe?
This recipe is described as almost raw, as the ingredients are fresh and not cooked.
What is the purpose of nutritional yeast in this recipe?
Nutritional yeast provides a savory, cheesy flavor that mimics parmesan cheese without using dairy.
How many zucchinis do I need?
The recipe calls for 2 washed and trimmed zucchinis.
What type of cashews should I use?
You should use raw, unsalted cashew nuts for the best flavor and texture in the pesto.
How much basil is required for the pesto?
You will need 1/2 cup of packed fresh basil leaves.
Is this recipe suitable for a low-carb diet?
Yes, it is specifically designed as a low-carb and paleo-friendly meal.
How many garlic cloves are in the recipe?
The recipe uses 2 peeled garlic cloves.
What type of olive oil is recommended?
The recipe recommends using 1/4 cup of cold-pressed extra-virgin olive oil.
Should the zucchini be cooked?
No, the zucchini is served raw to maintain its nutrients and refreshing texture.
What can I use as a garnish?
You can garnish the dish with fresh basil leaves or an extra sprinkle of nutritional yeast.
Is this dish good for a light lunch?
Yes, it is perfect for a light lunch or dinner as it is both satisfying and restorative.
How long does it take to prepare the pesto?
The pesto is made quickly by processing all ingredients in a food processor until smooth.
How much nutritional yeast is used?
The recipe requires 1.5 tablespoons of raw nutritional yeast.
Can I make the noodles without a spiralizer?
Yes, you can use a mandolin or a sharp knife to slice the zucchini into thin, even strips to mimic pasta.
How much salt should I add to the noodles?
The recipe calls for 1/2 teaspoon of salt, or you can adjust to your personal taste.
Should I serve this dish immediately?
Yes, for the best texture and freshness, it is recommended to serve the dish immediately after mixing.
How do I avoid breaking the zucchini noodles?
Gently mix the pesto with the noodles and avoid overmixing to preserve the integrity of the zucchini strips.
What are the health benefits of this dish?
It is packed with healthy fats from cashews and olive oil, along with vitamins and minerals from the fresh zucchini and basil.
Does this recipe contain cholesterol?
Being entirely plant-based, this recipe is naturally cholesterol-free.
What is the preparation for the garlic?
The garlic cloves should be peeled before being added to the food processor.
Is this recipe suitable for summer?
Yes, it is tagged as a summer recipe because it is light, refreshing, and uses seasonal zucchini.
Where can I find more recipes like this?
You can find more innovative, health-focused recipes at www.innerharmonynutrition.com.