Garlic and Olive Oil Zoodles!!!! (Zucchini Noodles)

Zoodles???? What the heck are zoodles you ask? I know, sounds like a weird kids' toy, right? Well no, Zoodles are zucchini cut into strands that look spaghetti noodles; the "Z" stands for zucchini and the "oodles" stand for noodles, hence why they are called Zoodles!

I went out to dinner with my dear friend Kate at a restaurant called Coco Bar and Bistro (food was awesome by the way) which is located in downtown Buffalo. I ordered off of the pre-fix menu and one of the appetizer choices was Zucchini Noodles with Marinara Sauce. It tasted out of this world and I couldn't stop talking about how delicious it was. I asked the waitress about it and she told me it's something new the chef was trying. I knew I had to google these strands of deliciousness to see just how they were made. I saw that there were a few cooking gadgets that would spiral the zucchini into spaghetti strands. Some were pretty elaborate and some some very basic, so it was hard to decide which one was best to buy. I saw that Bed Bath and Beyond sold a variety of these gadgets so that was my store of choice.

The funny thing is that my cousin Keri who lives in San Diego, California posted a picture on Instagram of Zoodles. I immediately replied to her and told her that I tried them for the first time a few nights prior and that I was buying a zoodle maker. Her homemade zoodles looked amazing. She simply added olive oil and salt n pepper. Keri also mentioned that she bought the Paderno Spiralizer and loved it. I opted for the Veggetti Spiral Vegetable Cutter. It was only $14.99 plus I had a 20% off coupon so I figured if it was a bust I wasn't breaking the bank to buy it.

So tonight, I finally got a chance to use my Veggetti to make Zoodles! It's awesome and soooo easy to use. Honestly, I thought my gadget worked great…bonus for being so cheap. You literally just cut the ends off of the zucchini attached a safety holder and twist the zucchini into a cylinder type cutter. They have two sizes of strands thick or thin; I used the thick cutter. The strands are continuous so they are super long. You have to cut them so they are easier to eat. The boys were floored when they saw I was making noodle strands from zucchini. You could add yellow squash, carrots, cucumber or any other vegetable that would fit in the cylinder and hold up to the spiral type cutting. The only draw backs were that you can't use a large sized zucchini, it has to be thin enough to fit through the cylinder. The other draw back is that this gadget spirals most of the zucchini but there is a small piece that's left over….it's edible just not spiral-able. I'm not sure if the other models have this issue.

I made my zoodles with fresh garlic and olive oil and served it with broiled lemon butter tilapia. I sautéed the zoodles on the stove top and it took 5 minutes to cook. You can do a quick boil, cook it in the microwave or even eat it raw. Which ever way you decide it's super simple and super delicious. What I love most about Zoodles is that it's a healthy low-carb alternative to pasta. I love my pasta, but every once in a while I want to go guilt free eat'n! This is quilt free for sure. Plus, its a nice quick dish for the hot summer months. The boys liked it but I could tell they much prefer their carb ridden pasta. You should error on the side of one zucchini per adult because it does wilt while cooking…kind of like sautéed spinach.

Zoodles will be a staple in our house. The next time I make zoodles I will make them with my 5-Minute Marinara Sauce. If you've never heard of zoodles or have debated whether or not to get this gadget…go buy it and begin spiralizing your veggies! You will not be disappointed. Salute to Zoodles and my new beloved gadget to add to my collection!

• Click to see some of my other Vegetti recipes that are just as delicious. 
• Zoodle Stir Fry with Chicken and Vegetables
• Zoodles with Meat Sauce
• Veggetti Cucumber Quinoa & Feta Salad
• Shrimp Scampi Over Zoodles

My Zoodle maker

Here are the noodle type strands it makes, so simple to use

This is the piece of the zucchini that's left over, still edible just not spiral-able

You could eat it raw, it's so fresh

Yep, this is how long the strands are!!!

Sauteeing with olive oil, butter and garlic

Look at how beautiful these zoodles are!

I served the zoodles with a broiled lemon butter tilapia, perfect compliment!

Garlic & Olive Oil Zoodles (Click to print recipe)

Preparation and Cook time: 15 minutes

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

• 4 medium sized zucchini
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 tb butter
• 4 cloves of garlic mined
• 2 tb fresh chopped parsley
• pinch of grated red pepper flakes
• a squeeze of half lemon
• salt n pepper to taste

Using your zoodle maker, cut your zucchini according to your device. In a skillet, sauté olive oil, butter and garlic over medium to high heat. Add zucchini strands to pan and sauté for 5-7 minutes. Add parsley, red pepper flakes, a squeeze of lemon and salt n pepper to taste.

Food Impressions:

Nate: "Wow, those are so cool…what are they?" Zucchini Spaghetti Nate. I hope they taste as good as they look!" Once he tasted them he response - "Eh, they are ok just not as good as spaghetti though."

Tyler: "I like zoodles a lot" He didn't even finish the small portion I gave him!

Zachary: "I love Zoodles, they are super tasty." He had two helpings! He loved them the most of his brothers.

Dave: "I really like these, they are flavorful and a good a nice change from pasta." Dave was eating them raw and liked them just as much.

Andrea: Loved them! I can't wait to use my veggetti again but with other types of veggies. The book says it will also make spirals out of potatoes but I'm not sure how they will fit. I'd like to that next. I also can't wait to try it with marinara sauce. I can't wait for zucchini season to begin now!