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Raw Zucchini Noodles with Marinara Sauce

By Emily Smith

This recipe is part of Brooke’s 5 Day Healthy Meal Challenge. Brooke, from The Intentional Momma asked me if I would be up to creating healthy, easy, affordable recipes for a five-day meal plan. I was definitely up to the task! You can follow Brooke’s mini-series on her blog, and see how she does trying my recipes (and read what her verdict is too).
I wanted to share with you one of the recipes from DAY 1 that is super easy to do and is surprisingly delicious!  Yes, I used surprisingly – because let’s face it, the first thought that comes to mind when I say that you are going to eat zucchini instead of pasta noodles…well, is probably not you, jumping for joy. Or maybe it is!  Either way, I think you’ll be happy to try this healthy, light-weight alternative to traditional noodles.
This makes an ideal work lunch. You can prepare the noodles in advance and tote them and the marinara sauce in separate containers, mixing only when it’s time to eat. Plus, when you leave the zucchini noodles to ‘sit’ outside the fridge for a 2-4 hours, they take on a more noodle-y texture. And the beauty of such a light meal is that you’re not weighed down for the rest of the afternoon :)

Bon Apetit !!

Raw Zucchini Noodles with Marinara Sauce
Serves 4

6 large zucchinis
1 1/2 cups of blended tomatoes (3-4 Roma tomatoes blended in blender or food processor)
1 clove of garlic
1 green onion, chopped
2 Tablespoons of virgin olive oil
1/3 cup of fresh lemon juice
Pinch of sea salt or pink Himalayan salt
  1. Wash and prepare all vegetables.
  2. Use a spiral slicer or like me, a good ole’ vegetable peeler to make noodles from your zucchinis. Hold them firmly and run the vegetable peeler along the top to bottom. Place each noodle in a dish as you prepare them (I curled mine, because I thought it looked prettier).
  3. The earlier you make your noodles (2-4 hours in advance), the more they will feel like traditional noodles. So if you can, prepare them and let them sit on the counter before serving them.
  4. In a blender or food processor, place peeled garlic, onion, tomatoes, lemon juice, and olive oil.
  5. Blend until smooth. 
  6. Serve the noodles in each individual dish and then top with marinara sauce. Add a pinch of salt or grated himalayan salt on top for taste.  Enjoy!

Gluten Free Recipe Roundup via Musings of a Housewife

Posted in Main Dishes, Vegetables | 11 comments »

11 Comments on Raw Zucchini Noodles with Marinara Sauce

  1. Priya Mahadevan
    September 12, 2012 at 1:19 pm (251 days ago)

    That is artwork and that is beautiful and that is something I like to have for lunch :) thanks for the visual treat!

  2. hilljean
    September 12, 2012 at 3:03 pm (251 days ago)

    PINNING this immediately! Not only does it look delicious, but it’s like, totally Martha Stewart gorgeous. I hope I can master the ribbon effect like you.

  3. Guru Uru
    September 12, 2012 at 9:09 pm (251 days ago)

    I swear zucchini noodles seem to be the newest and most delicious new idea :D
    Yours look awesome!

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru

  4. Paloma King
    September 13, 2012 at 4:23 am (251 days ago)

    Interesting! Looks great! YUM!

  5. Gaby
    September 13, 2012 at 2:59 pm (250 days ago)

    Mmmm this looks delicious Emily, I love shave zucchini ;)

  7. mrs_karenC
    September 13, 2012 at 3:28 pm (250 days ago)

    oh wow…that looks so flipping yummy and so simple

  8. Kate
    September 15, 2012 at 7:46 pm (248 days ago)

    I love pasta, but I’ve been trying some healthier substitutions. Brown rice pasta is good, but I like the idea of zucchini… will definitely try this!

    Found you in the Saturday Sharefest… I’m glad I popped over to have a look :)

  9. Emily // The Best of this Life
    September 18, 2012 at 2:17 am (246 days ago)

    It’s definitely a cinch to make and tastes sooo good – a wonderful substitute to regular pasta! Thanks so much for coming by :)

  10. Emily // The Best of this Life
    September 18, 2012 at 2:22 am (246 days ago)

    Thanks Kate for popping on by! I hope you give these noodles a try, they are awesome :) A great way to include more veggies in your diet and a wonderful alternative to traditional pasta. Cheers!

  11. Jo-Lynne Shane
    September 22, 2012 at 4:40 pm (241 days ago)

    YUM! I love the zucchini ribbons. I have the peeler than makes zucchini spaghetti but the ribbons are so pretty. This would be great with my client, Rose Romano’s peppers!