This post is dedicated to helping you learn how to cook and serve zoodles. Zucchini noodles make a great go-to healthy side dish. This is why they serve as the perfect base to many of our recipes. We love to use it in our weekly meal routine. This article will share what we know so that you can also find ways to incorporate this easy delicious chameleon of an ingredient into your weekday arsenal.
First, What Are Zoodles
Before we show you how to cook and serve zoodles, let’s start at the beginning. Essentially, zoodles are zucchini sliced into long strings resembling pasta noodles. Hence the clever title, zodles. We love zoodles because it offers you so many ways to switch up your usual healthy routine.
When you are first starting out in the kitchen, it takes time to adjust to ingredients and figure out what you like to use. Then once you are accustomed, you can start to play. Zoodles is the kind of thing that transforms zucchini into something new. This is a fun way to switch up the usual “healthy” options and give yourself something new and fresh.
Next, How To Cook Zoodles
The first thing you need to do, is actually make your zoodles. Have no fear! We did a little zoodle tutorial on Instagram. Check out our how to make zoodles post HERE. Also, FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM!
It really is as easy and straightforward as it seems. At first, slicing the noodles may take time, however even that isn’t “difficult” or hard to do. Remember we are never striving for perfection, we are just trying to get the noodles into some sort of sliced pasta shape.
It is possible to use a mandolin, but please note that it is not required and when using it we ask that you use an abundance of caution. A mandolin is not something to take lightly. We have seen some pretty nasty injuries.
Finally, How to Serve Zoodles
Once you learn how to cook and serve zoodles, you can move on to our favorite part- the eating. Another amazing thing about zoodles is you can use them any time! How exciting is that? They can be served hot or cold, thin or thick, shaved or sliced. It’s your world!
We love to serve it cold like in our Zoodle Salad or warm using our classic Zoodle recipe.
We use the classic Zoodles Recipe weekly, as there is so much you can do with it.
Zoodles With Picadillo
Zoodles do not have a big flavor, making them the perfect base for many recipes. We love to use it as the base for any of our picadillo recipes: Instant Pot Turkey Picadillo Classic Picadillo Turkey Veggie Picadillo
Zoodles Love Sauce
They pair perfectly with anything saucy. The zoodles will soak up all the juices and absorb that flavor, which is exactly what you want your noodle to do. We love to pair it with: Instant Pot Carne Con Papas Instant Pot Ropa Vieja Instant Pot Skirt Steak and Camarones al Ajillo and Fricase de Pollo
Zoodles are the Perfect Noodle:
Zucchini noodles are often thought of as pasta supplement but it’s actually a great pairing with another noodle.
Tossing zoodles into spaghetti, linguini or any long pasta noodle with butter is a dream side dish. The tender zucchini melts into the pasta for another texture and flavor. If you fold zoodles into our Cuban Sofrito Spaghetti – Abuela’s Cuban Counter it will trick a lot of picky eaters. Eating zoodles with a drizzle of olive oil and butter is all you need but topping it with our Cuban Meatballs or Turkey Meatballs Sheet Pan Sausage and Peppers is perfection.
Cooking them with Asian noodles like ramen, soba or udon is a great match. Imagine how perfect they would be in a broth or tossed in soy sauce and sesame seeds.
Zoodles and Soup
As we have mentioned, zoodles don’t have a big taste. This makes them perfect to throw into soups, as they add a lot of heft and health. Think things like: Ajiaco Chicken Soup Seafood coconut stew Mushroom Kale and White Bean Soup Oxtail Soup
Zoodles Make a Great Sidedish:
As a side dish it works with almost anything. They are perfect to complete a healthy meal so fish and chicken come to mind.
You Can Pair Zoodles With Heavier Dishes
When in doubt, zoodles make a great side dish to almost anything. We love to use them when we are making a heavier main dish, because they help bring nutrition and balance.
The truth is, as long as you zoodle, you can’t go wrong. They are such a great and clever way to get added vegetables into your diet without stress.
