When the spiralizer came into the house many months ago, we were thrilled to create exciting salads and dishes with spiralized beets, carrots, cucumber, zucchini etc….It is a fabulous tool and easy to visualize new and exciting recipes when you look at the pretty noodles of a wide array of vegetables.
What I never really visualized, is actually using the noodles as a replacement for spaghetti noodles….never sounded that interesting. How can this plain zucchini replace full-on taste of delicious pasta? Well, I was just plain wrong in having resisted making this before …. I have to say I am a believer! What a fun and incredibly nutritious way to ditch the carbs and processed pasta intake and opt for this.
I can’t wait to try more recipes with the zucchini noodles but for now let me share this one
You will need a spiralizer, I bought this basic one with a stand from Amazon. To make zoodles, trim the ends of your zucchini and place between the spiked handle end and the blade, then turn the handle. The noodles will just flow out beautifully.
You can steam or saute them. I chose to saute in this recipe with a little avocado oil, salt and pepper.
Keeping with the “lean” theme, I made turkey meatballs and pan fried them in olive oil. The whole thing takes no more them 30 mins to pull together.
Turkey meatballs
- 1 lb ground organic turkey
- 1/2 finely chopped onion
- 1/2 finely chopped bell pepper
- 1 clove crushed garlic
- 1/2 cup chopped parsley
- Pink salt and black pepper to taste
- Olive or avocado oil for pan frying
Noodles
- 3 yellow or green zucchini – spiralized
- Olive or avocado oil
- 1/2 teaspoon chopped thyme leaves
- Pink salt and black pepper to taste
Sauce
- 1large chopped tomato
- 1 medium chopped onion
- 5-6 mushroom chopped
- 1/2 tsp chopped thyme leaves
- 1/2 tsp Grated lemon peel
- 1 cup chopped red bell pepper
- 1/2 cup chopped basil leaves
- Juice of one lemon
- 1 tablespoon crushed garlic
- Olive or avocado oil
- Pink salt and black pepper to taste
- Combine all the ingredients for the Turkey meatballs and pan fry until brown. Do not overcook. Set aside on paper towel while you make the sauce.
- Add oil to a pan and saute the chopped onions, mushrooms, thyme and bell pepper
- Add garlic and tomatoes and cook for a couple of mins.
- Add basil, lemon peel, salt and pepper and mix it around until it looks like a sauce but tomatoes are still chunky.
- Add the meatballs and squeeze in the juice of one lemon. The meatballs are ready when heated through.
- Add oil to a pan, when heated add thyme and garlic.
- Add the noodles and fry for all of 1 min ( maybe 2). Salt and pepper to taste
- Plate the noodles with the meatballs on tops and garnish with basil
Sharing this with Angie @ Fiesta Friday co-hosted Mollie @ thefrugalhausfrau and Johanne @ the frenchgardenerdishes
Also sharing on Throwback Thursday.
Food For The Soul 
I love my spiralizer and zucchini noodles. Your meatballs sound delicious and what a gorgeous plate of goodness you created.
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it really is such and fun tool 🙂 thanks so much and enjoyed your sunday!
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Looks delicious! Am now wanting to try out spiralizing too of course. Thank you for sharing this Zeba! 🙂
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Thanks Lili….try it and you will love it. looking forward to seeing all the fabulous “spiralized” dishes you share 🙂
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Will definitely try it. Thanks again for the inspiration Zeba! 🙂
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I have two spiralizers – one is electric and the other is manual. They make cooking fun as you try different veggies. I love your use of fresh herbs in the sauce and even the zucchini. Great recipe to try 🙂
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Thanks…I am definitely hooked 🙂 Is there a good electric one you would recommend?
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I have a Kitchen-Aid and I love it. I’m not sure who else makes them.
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I have a spiralizer but haven’t really gotten to use it due to a key member of the fam who won’t touch hardly any vegetables, and I’m usually too tired to do multiple dishes…Soon, my friend, because you have just convinced me it’s worthwhile. This looks incredibly good!
Mollie
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Mollie…I hear you. I did make some brown rice noodles on the side for the “members” of the family that still needed to venture into the zoodles concept. Next time I am not giving any other choices as this was amazingly delicious!
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lol! I might need to do the same.
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Zeba, your zucchini noodles with the meatballs looks spectacular and am sure tastes simply awesome!
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Thanks Sandhya!
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You weren’t kidding Zeba we were really on the same page this week. i must say, I would have loved the addition of the sweet basil too but my plants went toes up.
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Hi Julie…yes we were truly thinking alike this week 🙂 My basil is still surviving until now inspite of the scorching summer we had….grateful for that!
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Did you and Julie plan your noodles and turkey meatballs together, Zeba? It certainly sounds like it. I too love using the spiralizer and have created beautiful salads, and meatballs with the zucchini strips in place of the pasta. That sure is a bowl of comfort food right there, love all the spices and fresh herbs. Love your pictures too, they are so clear and crisp.
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Thanks so much Loretta! Yes Julie and I were just exchanging notes that we ended up with exact same theme…haha 🙂 I love the spiralizer too and can’t wait to try more dishes. Do you have any more ideas you have posted on your blog?
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I need a fix for my soul after this presidential debate and I’d love a bowl of this Zeba! So funny you and Julie chose a similar recipe. Both winners in my book!
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Hahaha Johanne…I ended up turning the TV off after 30 mins but should have tried the food therapy instead, atleast that would have helped me feeling good 🙂 Thanks so much!
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