How to make Zoodles: Zucchini Noodles

Ever since I purchased this awesome vegetable spiralizer a couple weeks ago, we've been making zoodles like crazy! We've been using them in place of pasta and having them as side dishes and they have been wonderful. I've made zoodles in the past using a special peeler that I have but it just took forever and they weren't very uniform. This spiralizer is so easy to use and clean. Making zoodles is easier and faster than slicing up zucchini and seasoning it to roast or cook on the stove. Eric really likes zucchini and has been requesting and making zoodles too. It is quickly becoming my favorite kitchen gadget and for $35 there is no reason not to own one. I'm excited to try out other vegetables and such too. If you don't own one you should check it out. I promise I'm not a spokesperson for this spiralizer, it just really is that great.

Rule of thumb for how much zucchini you need for zoodles: For a side dish (like serving with grilled chicken) - 1 small zucchini per person; for a main dish (like zoodles and meatballs) - 1 medium zucchini per person

The recipe below and photos are from when we had zoodles as a side dish with grilled chicken but you can easily adjust the ingredients for a main dish or for serving more people. Are you ready to learn how to make zucchini noodles?!? (p.s. how super fun is that font I found for the photo below)

Zoodles - Zucchini noodles side dish
serves 2 as a side dish (see rule of thumb above for adjusting)

Ingredients:

- 2 small zucchini
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon of olive oil
- Ground pepper
- Crushed red pepper- optional

The spiralizer only has a few pieces and is easy to assemble. You screw the prongs and handle together into the sliding plate piece that goes along the bottom. An put in your small spiraling blade plastic plate (there are 3 different blade plates it comes with). Of course it comes with instructions but you can easily figure it out from the photo too.

Chop off the top of your zucchini and affix that end to the prongs and the end of the zucchini into the small metal ring on the blade plate end.

Then you just turn the handle and it will start turning the zucchini through the blade plate to make your spirals. I place a cutting board or something at that end to catch the spirals.

When you are only left with about 1/2 inch of zucchini attached to the prongs it won't spiral any more zucchini and you just pull that part back out which also pulls out the "core" from where you attached the zucchini end to the metal ring.

Repeat this with the 2nd zucchini. And then you have your zucchini spirals! See that simple. Sometimes I'll give them a rough chop since some of the spirals can be quite long.

Next heat a skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil and garlic. After about 30 seconds add the zucchini noodles and season with pepper and crushed red pepper if you want spicier noodles.

Cook 1 1/2 minutes or longer if you want more tender zoodles. We like ours to not be as tender as regular pasta noodles. Serve and enjoy!

So check out the vegetable spiralizer and start making zoodles! It is an easy way to replace carbs with vegetables for anyone who doesn't gravitate toward eating veggies often. I think this would also be a great gift for anyone who loves to cook.