Guilt Free Pasta: Zucchini Noodles with Roasted Tomatoes and Peas

Zucchini noodles (or Zoodles as people are calling them) are the latest craze.  I am not one to jump on health fads without reason but making noodles out of vegetables…now I can get down with that!  With more and more people trying to eat lower carbs, avoiding grains, cutting out gluten, and trying to add more vegetables to their lifestyles, zucchini noodles are perfection.  As a fan of vegetables (and eating) I love these healthy noodles.  I can eat so much more and not feel guilty.  The best part about these zucchini noodles with roasted tomatoes and peas is that from start to finish the cook time is only about 15 minutes.  Talk abut a quick and healthful dinner.  All while avoiding the drive thru.

If you desire to make this dish completely vegan then simply replace the goat cheese with a soft almond cheese or make a simple cashew cream.  I love the flavor and texture the melting goat cheese adds to this dish.  On the rare occasion when I include diary in my recipes I prefer goat over cow.  Goat cheese contains less lactose and it is formed with shorter amino acid protein chains than cow’s milk.   Goat dairy is usually better tolerated by our bodies then cow’s dairy.  I like to look for raw, organic cheeses from pastured animals when possible.

As someone that is always looking for the cleanest ingredients, I came across this red pepper sauce called Mina Harissa.  I was very intrigued by this sauce because the ingredients were so simple (Red Chili Pepper, Red Bell Pepper, Garlic, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Vinegar, Salt).  I am usually all for making condiments from scratch to make sure that they contain only real food but when you can find a sauce like this, one that already contains natural ingredients, then it can really be a time saver.  This sauce is a flavor enhancer for this dish and adds a slight kick but if you don’t have it simply add some red pepper flakes as a substitute.

If you don’t yet own a spirilizer and just aren’t sure about adding a new appliance to your jam packed kitchen, then you are not alone.  I wasn’t sure about it either.  I even tried making zucchini noodles by simply using a cheese grater or micro plane.  If you don’t plan on getting another kitchen gadget then the cheese grater or micro plane method is a great solution.  But after finally giving in and buying my own spirilizer I will tell you that it is so worth the purchase!  The noodles come out so perfect and remind me so much of traditional noodles.  The one I purchased is easy to clean and breaks down to store conveniently.  OK I am not trying to sell you a spirilizer but I just really love mine.  I can’t wait to start making noodles with everything I can get my hands on.

I said it before but I will say it again because this part is important.  From start to finish this meal can be made in 15 minutes.  15 minute meal!!!!  Have you ever gotten home from a long day, you are super hungry, and have not planned dinner?  I know I have on more than one occasion.  Don’t use his as an excuse to eat something you may regret.  The key is to have meals like this on your back burner so that you can keep on track.

If you have a new love affair with your spirilizer I’d love to know what you have been making.  Share in the comments.