This Will Satisfy That Pasta Craving!

Who doesn’t crave a big ole’ plate of pasta from time to time? I’m sure most of us, if not all, developed a close relationship with macaroni and spaghetti in our toddler years!  But as much as we might crave the versatile noodle, a great many of us steer clear because of allergies, food sensitivities or personal dietary choices.

Fortunately there is a way to enjoy all of the warm and comforting “pasta” dishes that we so often yearn for; and I’m not talking about the rice, quinoa or corn pastas that line the gluten free aisles of your local market. (Although they certainly have their place in the kitchen.)

I’m talking about a new breed of pasta – veggie pasta!

This recipe was made using an easy to use and inexpensive tool that turns fresh vegetables into noodles–a Spiralizer!  Not only do the fresh vegetables turned noodles add bundles of nutrients to your favorite dish, they also add new textures and colors!

Now you can build your dish around fresh vegetables and don’t have to hesitate when you want to say, “I’ll have seconds please!”  (But don’t worry if you don’t have a spiralizer, for this recipe you can use a grater and grate the zucchini lengthwise and it will be just as satisfying.)

Ingredients:

• 1 cup fresh basil leaves
• 3 medium zucchinis put through the spiralizer (or grated lengthwise)
• 1/2 tsp. sea salt
• juice of 1/2 lemon
• 1 1/2 tbsp. olive oil
• 1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper
• 3 tbsp. sliced and toasted almonds

Directions:

1. In a food processor or blender pulse basil, 2 tbsp. almonds and salt.
2. Add lemon juice and 1 tbsp. olive oil and pulse until a thick pesto consistency.  Add a few drops of water if necessary.  Add salt to taste.
3. In a skillet, heat remaining 1/2 tbsp. olive oil and add zucchini noodles and crushed red pepper.  Saute until tender, approximately 8-12 minutes.
4. Plate and top with pesto and toasted almonds.

Serves 4- Enjoy!

Remember Always Organic!

Susan Hartman

Susan is a lawyer, Pilates instructor and passionate advocate of natural wellness. In 2006 she began exploring various nutritional and movement therapies, meditation and other alternative means of healing in an attempt to naturally relieve hormonal imbalances, eczema and back and joint pain. After much research and trial and error, she found a personal regimen that not only alleviated her symptoms, but that also left her with a new found sense of overall health and wellness. During this period of exploration, she was introduced to Pilates and was surprised by how quickly she began to feel and see positive results in her body. She loves how Pilates emphasizes body awareness and the connection of breath to movement, and she believes it can bring about lifelong health benefits including stress relief and improved strength, flexibility, balance and coordination.

Today Susan strives to promote the importance of regular exercise, a clean whole foods diet, compassion for self and others, and a curious attitude, all as a means to maintaining vitality and living a balanced and centered life. When she is not practicing law or teaching Pilates, she can be found hiking or biking in the woods, soaking up the sun atop her paddleboard, engaged in a yoga or group fitness class, or immersed in a book or classic movie.