Transform your meal with this light and flavorful dish of garlic zucchini noodles. Perfect for a quick and healthy dinner, these noodles are a great alternative to traditional pasta, offering a fresh and vibrant taste that pairs wonderfully with the aromatic garlic and zesty lemon juice.
If you don't typically have zucchinis or fresh parsley at home, you might need to pick them up at the supermarket. Zucchinis are usually found in the produce section, while fresh parsley can be located among the fresh herbs. Make sure to choose firm and bright green zucchinis for the best texture.
Ingredients For Garlic Zucchini Noodles Recipe
Zucchinis: Fresh, medium-sized zucchinis are spiralized into noodles for a healthy pasta alternative.
Garlic: Minced garlic adds a robust and aromatic flavor to the dish.
Olive oil: Used for sautéing the garlic and zucchini noodles, adding a rich and smooth texture.
Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the dish.
Pepper: Adds a subtle heat and depth to the noodles.
Lemon juice: Provides a zesty and fresh tang that brightens the flavors.
Fresh parsley: Optional garnish that adds a pop of color and a hint of herbaceous freshness.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
When spiralizing the zucchinis, make sure to use a consistent, even pressure to create uniform noodles. This ensures they cook evenly and have a pleasing texture. Additionally, avoid overcooking the zucchini noodles; they should be slightly tender but still have a bit of crunch to maintain their structure and prevent them from becoming mushy.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
Zucchinis - Substitute with yellow squash: Yellow squash has a similar texture and mild flavor, making it a great alternative for zucchini noodles.
Garlic - Substitute with shallots: Shallots provide a milder, slightly sweet flavor that can complement the dish well if you want a less pungent alternative to garlic.
Olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a high smoke point and a neutral flavor, making it a good substitute for olive oil in cooking.
Salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce can add a savory umami flavor to the dish, though it will also add a bit of liquid, so use sparingly.
Pepper - Substitute with cayenne pepper: Cayenne pepper can add a bit of heat and spice to the dish, offering a different flavor profile compared to black pepper.
Lemon juice - Substitute with lime juice: Lime juice provides a similar acidic and citrusy flavor, making it a good alternative to lemon juice.
Fresh parsley - Substitute with fresh cilantro: Fresh cilantro can add a different but equally fresh and vibrant flavor to the dish, making it a good substitute for fresh parsley.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to This Dish
How To Store / Freeze This Dish
- Allow the zucchini noodles to cool completely before storing. This prevents condensation, which can make the noodles soggy.
- Transfer the cooled noodles to an airtight container. For best results, use a container that fits the amount of noodles snugly to minimize air exposure.
- Store the container in the refrigerator. The noodles will stay fresh for up to 3 days.
- To freeze, spread the noodles out on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. This prevents them from sticking together.
- Place the baking sheet in the freezer for about 1-2 hours, or until the noodles are frozen solid.
- Transfer the frozen noodles to a freezer-safe bag or container. Label with the date to keep track of freshness.
- When ready to use, thaw the noodles in the refrigerator overnight. For a quicker option, you can also place the bag in a bowl of cold water.
- Reheat the noodles by sautéing them in a pan over medium heat with a little olive oil until warmed through. Avoid microwaving, as this can make them mushy.
- If you notice excess moisture after thawing, gently pat the noodles dry with a paper towel before reheating. This helps maintain their texture.
- For added flavor, consider tossing the reheated noodles with a bit more lemon juice and fresh parsley before serving.
How To Reheat Leftovers
Stovetop Method:
- Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat.
- Add a splash of olive oil to the pan.
- Toss in the leftover zucchini noodles and stir gently.
- Cook for 2-3 minutes until heated through, ensuring not to overcook to maintain the noodles' texture.
Microwave Method:
- Place the zucchini noodles in a microwave-safe dish.
- Cover the dish with a microwave-safe lid or a damp paper towel to retain moisture.
- Microwave on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Check the temperature and microwave for an additional 30 seconds if needed.
Oven Method:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Spread the zucchini noodles evenly on a baking sheet.
- Cover the noodles with aluminum foil to prevent drying out.
- Bake for 5-7 minutes, checking halfway to ensure they are warming evenly.
Steam Method:
- Set up a steamer basket over a pot of simmering water.
- Place the zucchini noodles in the steamer basket.
- Cover and steam for 2-3 minutes until heated through.
- Be cautious not to over-steam to avoid soggy noodles.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Spiralizer: A tool used to create zucchini noodles by cutting the zucchini into long, spiral shapes.
Cutting board: A flat surface used for chopping and preparing ingredients like garlic and zucchini.
Chef's knife: A versatile knife used for chopping, slicing, and mincing ingredients such as garlic.
Garlic press: An optional tool to easily mince garlic cloves.
Frying pan: A shallow pan used for sautéing garlic and cooking zucchini noodles.
Wooden spoon: A utensil used for stirring and sautéing ingredients in the pan.
Measuring spoons: Tools used to measure out precise amounts of olive oil, lemon juice, and other seasonings.
Tongs: A utensil used to toss and handle the zucchini noodles while cooking.
Citrus juicer: An optional tool to extract fresh lemon juice.
Serving bowl: A bowl used to serve the finished garlic zucchini noodles.
Herb chopper: An optional tool to finely chop fresh parsley for garnish.
How to Save Time on Making This Recipe
Pre-spiralize the zucchini: Spiralize the zucchinis in advance and store them in an airtight container in the fridge.
Use pre-minced garlic: Save time by using pre-minced garlic available in jars.
Heat the pan while prepping: Start heating the olive oil in the pan while you spiralize the zucchinis.
Measure ingredients beforehand: Measure out the lemon juice, salt, and pepper before you start cooking.
Chop parsley in advance: If using, chop the parsley ahead of time and store it in the fridge.
Garlic Zucchini Noodles Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 medium zucchinis
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- to taste Salt and pepper
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Spiralize the zucchinis into noodles.
- Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
- Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant.
- Add zucchini noodles and cook for 2-3 minutes.
- Season with salt, pepper, and lemon juice.
- Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
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