11
Sep
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Prep
15 min
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Cook
2-5 min
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Ready In
20 to 25 min
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1 per person servings
Ingredients
- Fresh zucchinis (typically one zucchini per person)
- Salt (to taste)
- Olive oil or your preferred cooking oil (for cooking)
- Optional: Your choice of pasta sauce and toppings
Directions
- Preparation of Zucchinis:
- Wash the zucchinis thoroughly.
- Cut off the ends of each zucchini.
- Making Zoodles:
- Using a Spiralizer: Place the zucchini in your spiralizer and turn to create thin, noodle-like strands.
- Using a Julienne Peeler: Drag the julienne peeler down the zucchini to create thin, noodle-like strips.
- Using a Regular Vegetable Peeler: Drag the vegetable peeler down the zucchini to create wider, ribbon-like strips, similar to pappardelle pasta.
- Salting (optional but recommended):
- Place the zoodles in a colander or strainer over a bowl or sink. Sprinkle them with salt and toss to coat. This will help draw out moisture. Let them sit for about 10 minutes.
- After 10 minutes, gently press the zoodles to squeeze out any excess moisture. This step helps prevent the zoodles from becoming too watery when cooked.
- Cooking:
- In a large pan, heat a bit of olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the zoodles to the pan and sauté for 2-5 minutes, or until they are just tender. Avoid overcooking to prevent them from becoming mushy.
- If you prefer, you can skip the cooking step and have them raw, especially if you’re adding a warm sauce which can soften the zoodles slightly.
- Serving:
- Once cooked, remove from heat. You can mix them with your favorite pasta sauce, whether it’s marinara, pesto, Alfredo, or just a simple garlic and oil. Add protein or veggies as desired.
- Serve immediately!
Note: Zucchini releases a lot of moisture when cooked, so it’s essential to not overcook it. It’s also recommended to avoid boiling zoodles, as this can make them too soft and watery.
Footnotes
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Cook's Note:
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Editor's Note:
