Not being able to eat pasta with this new diet has kinda been killing me. Just kinda.
I had to turn my creative thinking cap on. Like on super power mode.
I came up with zucchini noodles. Yes, zucchini noodles!
These are so easy to make and actually replace a traditional pasta pretty darn well.
You can serve these “noodles” with all sorts of things — Pasta Sauce, Chicken Cattiatore or even on the side with a bit of butter.
Mmm. Butter. That’s not really allowed on the diet either. Sniff.
On the bright side of this diet, I have been trying new healthy recipes (like this one), have lost some weight and inches and I feel great. I just miss my pasta, that’s all.
How to Make Zucchini Noodles
4-6 zucchini
optional: kosher salt and ground black pepper, to taste
Directions
Heat a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Using a mandolin or vegetable peeler, carefully slice the zucchini lengthwise, starting at one end and ending on the other end. As you slice closer to the center of the zucchini, I recommend turning the zucchini over and starting again from the opposite side. You will probably leave about 1/4 of the zucchini, as the seeded area tends to fall apart when cooked anyway.
Add the zucchini slices to the boiling water and cook very quickly, just 1-2 minutes so zucchini is tender, but does not fall apart.
Enjoy!
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Posted in Healthy Recipes, Pasta, Sides, Vegetable, Vegetarian | 
Tags: gluten-free recipe, healthy side, how to make zucchini noodles, zucchini noodles
21 Responses to “How to Make Zucchini Noodles”
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Isn’t zucchini amazing?? I’ve been using it in a lot of recipes..lasagna, manicotti, meatloaf,… They taste like nothing so you can do whatever you want with them. You stop missing the pasta after a while.
Tara recently posted..Veggie Stuffed Meatloaf
It really is! I can see all sorts of ways to use it now. Thanks for the encouragement, Tara!
What a fabulous idea. My garden is exploding with zucchini, I never thought to use it as a pasta substitute. Going to try though, thanks,
Found you from tasty kitchen!
Aimee
Aimee @ ShugarySweets recently posted..Chicken Tenders with Vegetable Stuffing
Oh my gosh, Aimee, you’re gonna love it! Yay for Tasty Kitchen!
I love zucchini noodles! I’ve also been making them with my julienne cutter- they look just like spaghetti!
Betty @ scrambled hen fruit recently posted..Heirloom Tomato Pie
Ooh, I’ll have to pick up a julienne cutter ‘cuz that sounds fantastic!
This is the first time in over six months I’ve pulled out my large pot and filled it with water for boiling! Thanks for the recipe. I’ll be topping with a tomato-mushroom-bacon sauce with fresh buffalo mozzarella (I’m Primal, not hardcore Paleo).
But I promise you this: When you finally do have some pasta after not eating it for a long time, you will probably wonder why you loved it so much in the first place. Just can’t compare to all the real foods we’re eating these days.
Thanks so much for the support, Karen! It’s hard to imagine a world where I don’t love pasta as much as I used to, but I’ll take your word for it!
I heart zucchini of all kinds – flowers or vegetable, cooked or raw…doesn’t really matter. The best summer time vegetable!
Well then, this recipe is for you!
I picked up on the zucchini noodle kick from my Paleo daughter-in-law. I was skeptical – but have used them several times since being exposed. Tonight I’m making a raw tomato sauce to dress them with.
Sounds yummy, Greg!
It was awesome – and I was excited to see fresh zucchini at the grocer today. I’m using them as a side dish with butter and cheese for dinner this evening. I recently got a julienne slicer, and will use it – then slice with the grooves to create spaghetti-like noodles. I’m going to get rid of the green skin to see if I can fool my meat and potatoes son-in-law.
This is the first time I’ve been on your website. I’m so excited to try the zucchini noodles. Thank you!
I’m currently in phase 3 of the HCG diet and discovered your zucchini noodle idea!! I miss my pasta! But, I just made chicken alfredo with these noodles, and OMG!!! I may never eat regular pasta again! lol
It was fantastic! Thank you for sharing!
So awesome…while we are at it…I just wanted to mention spaghetti squash….it will make a great substitute also! Tried your honey whole wheat pizza dough tonight…..it was AMAZING
Thank you so much for sharing it!
Could you slice these zuke strips in half lengthwise? I’d like it to be more like spaghetti strands and less like lasagna. Just wondering if it would hold up or just fall apart.
You know, I’ve never tried with zucchini. But, I’ve seen it done with spaghetti squash so I’d bet it’s worth a try! Please share how it goes if you try it
Wow, great idea! Is that just a normal potato peeler?
I usually just slice zucchini thinly, but this looks so much better
Cheers,
Frank
Thanks, Frank! Yep — just a normal vegetable peeler will do the trick. Enjoy!
My sister can’t eat gluten, so to make noodles she first slices into the side of the zucchini – this way when you use the potato peeler you are left with noodle-like pieces instead of the thick slices. I’m making this with my homemade spaghetti sauce for dinner tonight!