Yes, we know that pasta is definitely one of the most popular staples in the US, we all grew up eating mac and cheese and having pizza night, but is it really good for us? If you're like us, always on the look for a healthy twist on classic dishes, this recipe is for you!
Zoodles or zucchini noodles are the new 'pasta'. Do they taste like pasta? Not really, but you won't mind as they taste super fresh, crunchy and delish! Using zoodles is also a great way to incorporate more vegetables in your diet with lots of nutrients, vitamins and fiber, low in calories, and obviously gluten-free so if you try to cut back on carbohydrates, this is a way to go! This meal is super easy and totally fool-proof, the only part that can take a little time is processing zucchinis into strips.
The vegetables contain vitamins, fiber and nutrients, the nuts, the avocado and the lentils contain good, healthy fats and protein so this meal is not only delicious and quick but super-healthy as well. If you've never had a 'pasta' sauce made with nuts, you should give it a try, you won't regret it! Are you inspired? Come get your vegetables, lemon, avocado, cilantro, macadamia nuts, tahini and flavored salt at the Napili Farmers Market and you will only need a few more ingredients!
Bon appetite!
Ingredients:
3-4 large zucchini
half of a red cabbage
1/4 cup + 1/4 cup olive oil
a juice of one lemon
1 cup of lentils
8 oz green beans
1 cup of nuts (we used macadamia nuts and cashews, mixed)
3-4 heaped tablespoons tahini
salt and pepper
1 ripe avocado
about a cup of water
3-4 cloves of garlic, or Asafoetida if you are on a sattvic diet
a small handful of chopped cilantro
half a cup sunflower seeds
Instructions:
Process zucchinis into strips like pasta. Use a spiralizer if you have one, if you don't, you can use a food processor with its shredding blade. You'll have short strips but they will work. :) Shred cabbage to very thin shreds and mix with zucchini.
Add 1/4 cup olive oil, 1 -2 tablespoon lemon juice and salt to zucchini strips and marinate for an hour.
Cook lentils according to the instructions on the package (it's very easy, just pour water and lentils in a pot, bring the mixture to a boil, then lower the temperature and simmer until lentils are done). In the meantime boil water and cook green beans just for a few minutes - you want them to remain crunchy and fresh.
For the sauce, blend mac nuts, cashews, 1/4 olive oil, tahini, 1-2 tablespoon lemon juice, water, garlic or Asafoetida, avocado, salt and pepper in a food processor until smooth.
Pour sauce on top of each serving, top with chopped cilantro and sunflower seeds. Enjoy!