Zoodles

This little instrument makes the best substitute for pasta.  It will make use of zucchini or yellow squash to make what has become known as zoodles or vegetable pasta.  When these noodles are cooked and sauces added or other ingredients, it can make a complete meal or a wonderful tasting vegetable side dish.  I found this particular one at Amazon, but recently, I have seen them at Walmart, Target or Cosco.

 Zucchini is a vegetable that is added to the SCD diet in phase 1.  When it is first added, or if you are experiencing symptoms, you should peel the zucchini first before using it in your recipes. Otherwise this vegetable, or fruit can be eaten with the peel.

Below are some recipes I have enjoyed cooking with the noodles you can make with this unique tool.




Simple Zoodles Only
After making zoodles with your noodle making tool, toss them with 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil and salt and pepper.  Heat a pan under medium heat and add noodles.  Cook until desired tenderness.  I serve these with meat patties or meatballs.

Later on, in your diet, when onions and mushrooms are added, chop up some onions and mushroom and saute in olive oil for 4-5 minutes and then add zucchini needles and cook an additional 3-5 minutes or until desired tenderness is reached.  Toss in some roasted walnuts and cooked chicken and you have a one-bowl meal! 


 

Now on a strict SCD Diet you can eventually have feta cheese and tomatoes, but you may never be able to tolerate these two items.  If this is the case, just leave them out.  I love the idea of adding pesto, nuts and fresh basil to zoodles.  With recipes, always remember you can add what you like and leave out what you don't.  Use recipes as jumping off points for creative cooking.  Take notes as you do so, and write out your own recipes that work for you. This recipe reminds me of something I will bring up again...grow herbs!  Basil is worth growing, for the sole reason of making pesto.  Make lots of pesto and freeze it for winter use.  One day soon, I will add a pesto recipe.

But take the time to grow your own herbs.  Nothing is more enjoyable.  They are easy, they smell wonderful, and oh! so tasty.

Zoodles and Pesto
Ingredients

• 1 medium sized zucchini
• 1 cup of fresh basil leaves
• 1 tbsp of pesto (make it yourself)
• Dash salt and pepper
• A good handful of cherry tomatoes
• A handful of walnuts
• Optional:
• ¼ cup of feta cheese

Instructions

1. Use a spiral maker to get those lovely zucchini noodles aka zoodles. If you don’t have that magical thingy, you can also simply dice up the zucchini.
2. Off it goes into the pan with a little bit of olive oil. Set it on medium heat.
3. Cut the cherry tomatoes in halves and add them to the pan. Also add a nice handful of walnuts.
4. Give it a nice toss. After around 7-8 minutes add the pesto and give it another toss.
5. To finish off the zoodles garnish with basil leaves (and feta cheese, if you have it around)
6. Ready. Enjoy!

Other items which can be added: avocado, sliced olives, sun-dried tomatoes,



Zucchini Noodles with Toasted Sesame Oil and Nut Sauce

Ingredients

• 3 small zucchini (about 16 ounces)
• 1 tablespoon natural cashew butter
• 1/2 to 1 tablespoon water
• 1/2 tablespoon cider vinegar
• 1/2 tablespoon coconut aminos
• 1 to 2 cloves garlic, pressed or minced
• 1/2 to 1 teaspoon red pepper to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
• 1/2 teaspoon grated fresh ginger

Instructions

1. Wash the zucchini well and trim off their ends. Use a spiralizer or a mandolin to turn the zucchini into “noodles.” In saucepan, saute noodles in 1 tablespoon of toasted sesame oil for 3-5 minutes. Place noodles in a large bowl.
2. In a small bowl, whisk the nut butter with 1/2 tablespoon of water and all remaining ingredients. If the mixture is hard to combine, add up to another 1/2 tablespoon of water, but be careful not to make the sauce too runny.
3.  Add the sauce and stir well to coat the noodles completely. Serve right away. (Leftovers can be refrigerated)

Toasted cashews can be added if desired.  The above picture has sliced bell peppers added, but autoimmune sufferers cannot usually tolerate them, so I left them out of this recipe.  If you like peppers and can tolerate them, by all means....eat them!

Well, I hope this gives you a start on how to incorporate zucchini noodles into your diet.  They really are very good and as versatile as pasta.  Buy a noodle maker and give them a try.