Zoodles For Life
Is anyone else obsessed with Zoodles like I am? They can be combined with so many different flavors that it is hard not to love them, unless you just do not like zucchini of course!
My father's dad was full-blooded Italian, so my brother and I grew up with homemade spaghetti and meatballs every Monday night at my grandparents house. Oh, and do not forget Parmesan cheese, and I do not mean the one you buy at the grocery store. My grandfather always had the real deal on hand, and we were not allowed to use anything else. Spaghetti and meatballs has always been my favorite meal because I love Italian foods, flavors and especially, marinara sauce. Sometimes, you will see me eat compliant sauce right out of the jar!
When I started Whole30, pasta was quickly eliminated because I could not have grains. I missed spaghetti, but I soon realized, that I really just missed the sauce and meat part of spaghetti. This is when I discovered zoodles and learned that I could easily live without the pasta.
There are many variations that you can make to mix with zoodles and I am going to share some of my favorite.
Spaghetti and Meatballs
Out of all the different ways to eat them, zoodles topped with spaghetti sauce and meat is by far the best way to eat them in my opinion. I love to make homemade spaghetti sauce. I usually grab a can of low sodium tomato sauce or diced tomatoes and mix it with all the Italian seasonings: Oregano, basil, parsley, garlic, salt, pepper and onion powder. Sometimes, I will saute onions and minced garlic to throw in the sauce before blending it together. When I do not have time to make sauce, I always can find a compliant spaghetti sauce at my local grocery store. I constantly flip back through the whole30 can/can't have ingredients list to make sure the sauce I am choosing is compliant! This is a super easy and delicious meal, especially when the family wants an Italian night for dinner!
Pictured: This plate of zoodles is mixed with mushrooms, lean ground beef and a compliant artichoke marinara sauce. I also have two paleo "Garlic Bread" rolls from Fox Hill Kitchen, who make paleo/low-card/keto bread. They are awesome!
Here is their website: http://foxhillkitchens.com/
Balsamic and Herb Zoodles
Balsamic vinegar is another fantastic flavor that pairs well with zoodles because it can be easily combined with Italian seasonings to create a delicious seasoning. This flavor combination reminds me a lot of a caprese salad, just without the cheese. I mix together balsamic vinegar, extra virgin olive oil and Italian flavors - oregano, basil, garlic, onion, parsley, salt and pepper. After the dressing is mixed well, I drizzle it all over the plate or bowl of zoodles and either heat it in the microwave or eat it as a cold "salad". When I am using flavors like the balsamic, I make sure to add other ingredients, like tomatoes, to my zoodles which enhances the flavors.
Pictured: This plate of zoodles is mixed with tomatoes, mushrooms, chopped avocado and homemade ground chicken breast meatballs.
Creamy Tahini Zoodles
I love Tahini! This is an ingredient often found in hummus products. It is made from ground sesame seeds. I decided to try it as a dressing on my zoodles one day because I was craving the two ingredients. You never know if something will turn out good until you try it, and I am glad I tried this. I mixed 2 tablespoons of Tahini with 1 tablespoon of Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Then I added oregano, basil, parsley, garlic, cumin, salt and pepper to it. I drizzled it all over the plate of zoodles and added a few drops of balsamic vinegar. The Tahini flavors mixed with the seasonings was delicious, and it reminded me of a creamy Alfredo sauce, just without the Alfredo taste. If you do not mind experimenting, this recipe is a must try!
Pictured: This plate of zoodles is mixed with tomatoes, mushrooms, chicken breast and the Tahini dressing.
Other ingredients I have tried that pairs well with zoodles include, avocado, tuna fish and dump ranch. I am eating them more and more though, and I cannot wait to experiment with other flavors!
