August 5, 2011

Pesto Zucchini "Spaghetti"

You may have guessed that those “noodles” aren’t really pasta, but julienned zucchini. A great pasta alternative if you’re eating paleo, gluten-free, or low-carb. I feel like I’m the last one in the blogosphere to try out zucchini “noodles”.

Why did I wait so long? A mandoline, my friends. I was holding out for a mandoline. After ~~asking around on Twitter~~ doing some serious research, I found one that I liked, and after multiple uses, I still like it. If you’ve never used a mandoline slicer, you’re missing out on some seriously cool slicing action. And perhaps having a finger nearly sliced off. Given my track record with sharp objects, I probably shouldn’t be allowed to use a mandoline. I’ve been good about using the guard, though. No blood shed. . . yet.To prepare the “noodles” I used a technique I saw in Vegetable Harvest by Patricia Wells where she sprinkled the julienned zucchini with salt and let it rest in a colander to extract the moisture. In that particular recipe, she just tossed it with a simple creamy dressing and was finished. I squeezed it out a little, then threw it in a pan for a few minutes to warm up.

I was surprised at how the texture and appearance of the zucchini resembled actual pasta. I think I even giggled a few times. My kids were hesitant (I’m still trying to get them to like zucchini. Tonight we made some progress!) but I think after a few tries they’ll be slurping up those “noodles” like nobody’s business.

Especially if it’s got bacon sprinkled in it. Bacon is my insurance if I’m not sure if something will turn out well. Throw a little bacon in and a mediocre dish will rise to “pretty good” status. Instantly.

I really don’t think I needed the insurance with this, though.

Pesto Zucchini "Spaghetti"

Total Time: about 30 minutes

Ingredients:

4 medium zucchini, julienned thinly (mandoline slicers are great for this)
generous pinch of salt
6 slices of uncooked bacon
1/2 cup green onions, sliced into 1-inch pieces
2 cups broccoli florets
2-3 T prepared basil pesto
Fresh Parmesan or Romano cheese, for garnish

Directions:

Place zucchini strips in a colander over a bowl or in the sink. Sprinkle zucchini with salt and toss to combine. Let the zucchini sit for 15 minutes while the salt extracts the moisture. Drain excess water, squeezing zucchini, if necessary.

Meanwhile, cook bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crisp, turning frequently. Remove bacon to a stack of paper towels to drain. Crumble bacon. Remove all but 2 T of bacon drippings from the pan.

Return the pan to medium heat. Add the green onions and broccoli, stirring frequently for about 3-5 minutes or until crisp-tender. Add zucchini and 2 T of pesto, tossing to combine all ingredients. Taste and add more pesto, if needed. The mixture only needs to warm up, so 2-3 minutes of cooking ought to do it.

Serve with bacon crumbles and freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

Serves 4.

from Perry's Plate

30 Minutes and Under, Gluten-Free, Main Dish Pork, Paleo/Primal, Perry's Plate Originals

35 comments »

35 Responses to “Pesto Zucchini "Spaghetti"”

1

April — August 5, 2011 @ 5:00 am

Man, that looks really good!! I've got a mandolin… in a drawer… somewhere

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2

Natalie — August 5, 2011 @ 5:11 am

April – Quick! Get it out!

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3

pinksuedeshoe — August 5, 2011 @ 5:46 am

That looks amazing! People keep leaving me zucchini on my porch, I'm trying this on Sunday! Have you ever tried Spaghetti Squash? I like it like a hundred times more than actual pasta. But man, in the summer zucchini is free! (also, please dear neighbors stop with the vegetable offerings, there is only one person here who will eat it!)

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4

Cara — August 5, 2011 @ 2:28 pm

Zucchini Noodles are a favorite in our house! We love them with a fresh tomato sauce, sauteed shrimp and goat cheese :)

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5

carlyklock — August 5, 2011 @ 2:48 pm

Sounds as good a reason as any for me to go out and buy a mandoline! Thanks for sharing.

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6

Christina — August 5, 2011 @ 2:54 pm

I've GOT to the try this! Wish you lived closer so I could drop off 100 pounds of zucchini on your doorstep ;)

xoxo
tina

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7

Rivki Locker (Ordinary Blogger) — August 5, 2011 @ 3:00 pm

If you hadn't mentioned this wasn't real pasta, I'd never have known.
I got a mandoline recently and even though I don't use it often, it's a great tool.

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8

Lauren's Latest — August 5, 2011 @ 3:18 pm

I totally throw bacon into dishes I'm unsure of too! It works like a charm…

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9

Lauren's Latest — August 5, 2011 @ 3:19 pm

I totally throw bacon into dishes I'm unsure of too! It works like a charm…

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10

Joanne — August 5, 2011 @ 4:58 pm

Alright, so my next foodie splurge purchase needs to be a mandoline. Got it.

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11

Jodi — August 5, 2011 @ 9:01 pm

OK-silly question. Did you peel the zucchini first?

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12

DancingMooney ♥ — August 5, 2011 @ 11:09 pm

I keep thinking I'd slice a finger off too, using one of those things, but I bet they are handy and fun too…

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13

Ann — August 5, 2011 @ 11:36 pm

Incredible! I have a friend who is a serious low-carber…I'm going to forward this to her. I have a mandolin, but it only slices…so the julienne, I'd have to do by hand…but that's okay!

This looks absolutely amazing! Congratulations on another winner!

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14

myfudo — August 7, 2011 @ 1:50 am

We love pasta. I wish I can always get in touch with you to have more of your brilliant tips and recipes

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15

megcjones — August 8, 2011 @ 3:27 pm

these look just great! i'm terrified of mandolines – we had to use one in my culinary class last week and i made somebody else in my group do it. i'm just sure i'll slice a finger off. but then i see dishes like this and get all jealous…which mandoline did you end up getting?

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16

Natalie — August 8, 2011 @ 3:30 pm

Jodi – No, I didn't peel it. I think it might be easier to slice with the peel on, but peeling would be fine, too.

megcjones – If you use the guard you have nothing to worry about :) I ended up getting the Progressive one. I linked to it within the post. It's pretty inexpensive (under $20) and I was surprised how sturdy and sharp it was for the price.

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17

Amy — August 8, 2011 @ 5:33 pm

This is perfect timing. I just posted my menu plan for this week and I wanted to make zucchini "spaghetti". I was just going to wing it, but this is even better!

Amy @ A Little Nosh

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18

Andra — August 8, 2011 @ 10:29 pm

I use my Titan Peeler for this, the julienne peeler that comes in the set is perfect for zucchini pasta! Plus it's nice that I can throw it in the drawer when it's not in use, no extra parts. They do make an extra stand that makes the peeler into more of a mandolin, but I've found it to be unnecessary.

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19

Natalie — August 8, 2011 @ 10:34 pm

Amy – I've been known to read minds via food. :)

Andra – The Titan peeler! I totally forgot about that little gadget. Yes, I can totally see the space-saving advantage of having one of those!

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20

Terri @ that's some good cookin' — August 10, 2011 @ 10:46 pm

Ooooooooooo, Natalie. I think you totally nailed this one. Yum.

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21

Natalie — August 10, 2011 @ 11:19 pm

Terri – Thanks! Honestly… I think I did, too. And the funny thing is that I wasn't trying to "develop" anything. I threw it together one night for my kids when the hubs had to work late. Love it when great things happen without a lot of forethought!

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22

ourlifeinfood.com — August 17, 2011 @ 8:21 pm

This looks wonderful! The broccoli/Parmesan/bacon combo sounds great. I eat low carb and have tried zucchini ribbons before, but I've never tried it this way. I guess I need to get a mandoline!

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23

Sammi D. — August 27, 2011 @ 12:22 am

Tried this tonight…fantastic! My roommate hardly ever eats zucchini and she even loved it. :)

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24

Natalie — August 27, 2011 @ 1:02 am

ourlifeinfood – I've never tried zucchini ribbons!

Glad you liked it Sammi (and roommate!) It's definitely a twist on zucchini, isn't it?

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25

MaggiC — August 27, 2011 @ 8:51 pm

I just bought a mandolin for the purpose of making zucchini spaghetti. I am so happy i came across this recipe! I am making this for dinner tonight

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26

Jessy — January 23, 2012 @ 5:02 am

I’d swear that was real spaghetti in the photo (+ zucchini)!?

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Pingback: Meal Idea Monday: Introducing Perry’s Plate and Pesto Zucchini “Spaghetti” « Food Tidings Blog
27

Sarah — May 7, 2012 @ 5:14 pm

Just made this for dinner! Absolutely delicious!

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28

Monica B. — February 20, 2013 @ 9:07 am

I don’t think I’ve ever told you how much I love this recipe. I make this all. the. time. Probably too much, but, whatever.

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Pingback: Pesto Zucchini “Spaghetti” | preferablypaleo
29

Becca — March 19, 2013 @ 9:19 am

Amazing! A new instant fave… even got my husband to consider paleo

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