Versatile “zoodles” are a tasty way to make almost any pasta recipe lighter. Mildly flavored zucchini, which is rich in fiber, calcium, vitamins, and even protein, is a great way to add more nutrients to some of your family’s favorite dishes.
There is no special equipment needed to quickly and easily make zucchini noodles at home. Check out these straightforward methods to turn the season’s most plentiful vegetable into plant-powered pasta and more. For a tender, al dente bite, quickly sauté or boil or keep raw for salads and sandwiches.
Use a vegetable peeler to create thin ribbons from the length of the zucchini for the linguine. Stack ribbons evenly on a cutting board. Slice ribbons into linguine-sized noodles (about the length of a matchstick, but thinner) using a sharp knife. This delicate noodle pairs well with lighter sauces like pesto and marinara.
Use a vegetable peeler to shave long, thin ribbons that are between 3/4 and 1 inch wide, much like the first step in making linguine. Wide noodles like those in this dish can withstand heartier sauces like Bolognese and meaty ragu. This zingy orzo salad also works well with other chunky ingredients like the olives and tomatoes.
Slice the squash lengthwise with a mandolin or a sharp knife to produce planks that are about 1/8 of an inch thick, which will make for sturdy sheets of zucchini lasagna. Toothsome zucchini lasagna is the most durable zoodle shape. These hearty sheets are the go-to for layering flavors and are great in any lasagna or other baked pasta casserole.
Although technically not noodles, grated zucchini can be used in both savory and sweet dishes. Simply grate whole squash using a box grater with large holes or a food processor’s shredding attachment to produce shreds. Zucchini “confetti” that is light and moist can add nutritional bulk to a variety of dishes, including salads, sauces, and sandwiches. Use them to keep baked goods extra moist, like these decadently rich gluten-free brownies, or try substituting them for shredded potatoes, like in these kid-friendly cheesy tots.
How to Make Zucchini Noodles with a Peeler Recipe
Zucchini noodles are the epitome of summer; they’re so simple to make and go great with your favorite alfredo sauce. Yay for summer and this delicious recipe, a great replacement for any pasta!
The first thing you need is a good peeler. Here is the one that we use: OXO Good Grips Swivel Peeler.
Buy one, HERE.
We’ve served this recipe with a smooth white sauce.
“Summer will end soon enough, and childhood as well. ”– George R. R. Martin.
So very true. In a blink of an eye, summer will be gone. Our kids are grown and gone. Paul and I are true empty nesters. Undoubtedly, this is a bittersweet period for us, but we look forward to having children.
I do miss our garden, which we had in Medford for ten years, but it’s simple to go to the farmer’s market or sign up for a local CSA box if you want to buy fresh produce.
Continue reading for more information because we regularly consume zucchini noodles (or ribbons).
Do you know how to quickly and easily turn your vegetables into lovely noodles with a good vegetable peeler? When my kids were younger, this was their task.
Any summer squash, cucumber, and melons can be made into ribbons using this technique. YUM!.
The squash’s center can always be composted, made into a soup, or given to your chickens.
If you’re in a bind, pick up some Alfredo sauce from Trader Joe’s!
Here is the spiralizer I always suggest if you enjoy using one when cooking!
Brieftons 10-Blade Spiralizer: Strongest-and-Heaviest Vegetable Spiral Slicer, Best Veggie Pasta Spaghetti Maker for Low Carb / Paleo / Gluten-Free recipes.
Comes with Blade Caddy, Container, Lid & 4 Recipe Ebooks! BUY ONE, HERE.
Enjoy the last day of July, Friends!
I layer them into lasagna and add them to soups, salads, and pasta salads. Making them at home may seem difficult, but with the right equipment (spoiler alert: a spiralizer isn’t always required! ), it’s simple. Making your own zucchini noodles also saves money compared to purchasing them from the store, and it’s entertaining to turn a vegetable into your preferred pasta shapes. So grab a bunch of zucchini, and let’s get started!.
After creating zoodles, you’ll probably have some leftover scraps. Extra zucchini scraps can be used to make hummus, smoothies, creamy zucchini soup, or the “ricotta” filling for this lasagna recipe instead of throwing them away. Make zucchini pesto (the recipe is on page 275 of The Love & Lemons Cookbook) or chop it up and add it to a frittata.
Julienned noodles are thinner and straighter than spiralized noodles, but they taste just the same! I love this option because julienne peelers are tiny, so they’ll fit in any drawer. They’re also cheap! I tested out three types so that I could recommend the best one for you (this one, this one, and this one). They all worked perfectly, so my choice is this OXO Good Grips one because it’s just $7.
Spiralized zucchini noodles are now widely available in stores, but freshly cut ones are so much better. They look like a natural pasta replacement because they are curly and long, but these vibrant, fresh vegetable noodles are capable of so much more than just replacing spaghetti.
I love having a mandoline on hand to make paper-thin slices of vegetables like radishes, cucumbers, and cabbage, but you can also use one to make zucchini noodles by first slicing thin zucchini planks, and then using a sharp knife to cut those planks into fettuccine-sized strips. If you go this route, please, please, please be careful. It’s easy to cut yourself on a mandoline. Because the Benriner Mandoline is compact and convenient to store, I like it.
The Ultimate Guide to Zucchini Noodles
Here are the most popular ways to prepare and cook zucchini noodles. I’ve ranked them from my least favorite to my favorite. Keep scrolling to find a video that demonstrates how I use each device. Be sure to watch that one.
And finally, I’ve included some of my best advice and some of my favorite zucchini noodle recipes right at the end. So let’s dive in!.
FAQ
Can you use a peeler to make zoodles?
You can use the same Y-shaped vegetable peeler to make wide, thin noodles that are similar in shape to pappardelle, so just so you know, vegetable peelers are great for more than just peeling those russet potatoes for dinner. After cutting off the ends, lengthwise slice a side of the zucchini.
How do you Spiralize zucchini with a peeler?
- Use a vegetable peeler. Utilizing a vegetable peeler, lightly peel the zucchini’s sides.
- Carve with a knife. Slice the zucchini into thin strips, working your way to the center.
- Shred with a grater.
What can I use if I don’t have a Spiralizer for zucchini?
Salt the water liberally after bringing a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Add the zucchini noodles and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, or until the noodles are crisp and tender.
