If you love pasta but are looking for ways to cut back on refined carbohydrates, give this recipe a try. The “noodles” are made by thinly slicing raw zucchini into long strips. The easiest way to make raw zucchini noodles is to use a spiral slicer, sometimes called a “spiralizer,” but a vegetable peeler will work as well. Toss these “noodles” with your own favorite sauce or try this quick and easy raw marinara. Serve with the Living Caesar salad for a light and healthy Italian meal.

Equipment:

vegetable peeler
spiral slicer (optional)
food processor or blender

Ingredients:

Zucchini Pasta:

3-4 zucchini, (peel them for a more authentic wheat pasta look, if you like)

Marinara Sauce:

2 ripe tomatoes, chopped (about 1 cup)
1 cup sun-dried tomatoes, soaked to soften or oil-packed
1 red bell pepper, chopped (about 1 cup)
4 Tbsp olive oil
2 Tbsp minced fresh basil or 1 tsp dried
2 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp crushed garlic (2 cloves)
1/2 tsp sea salt
Dash cayenne (optional)

Directions:

Zucchini Pasta:

Cut the zucchini into thin noodles using a spiral slicer.  If you don’t have a spiral slicer, use a vegetable peeler to create long ribbons, or “fettuccine” by drawing the peeler down all sides of the zucchini until you reach the core.  You could also shred the zucchini for an “Orzo” (rice-shaped) pasta. Place the zucchini pasta in a serving bowl.

Marinara Sauce:

Place all the ingredients in a food processor fitted with the S blade and process until smooth.  Stop occasionally to scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula.

Assembly:

Spoon the marinara sauce over the zucchini noodles and mix well so all the noodles are covered with marinara.

NOT MEAT BALLS *

To go along with this delicious meal, whip up a batch of “meat balls!”

Ingredients:

2 cups raw walnuts
2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
2 tsp olive oil
2 tsp Bragg Liquid Aminos or soy sauce
1/2 tsp garlic powder
Dash salt
2 Tbsp minced fresh parsley
2 Tbsp minced onion

Directions:

1. Place all the ingredients except the parsley and onion, in a food processor fitted with the S blade and process into a paste.  Stop occasionally to scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula.
2. Transfer to a small mixing bowl.  Stir in the parsley and onion and mix well.
3. Form into balls.

from “Raw Food Made Easy for 1 or 2 People” by Jennifer Cornbleet