Imagine twirling your fork into a plate of vibrant, fresh zucchini noodles that are not just a healthy alternative to pasta, but a gourmet experience that will make your taste buds dance! This Zucchini Noodles with Cranberries and Walnuts recipe is about to revolutionize your meal prep, offering a perfect blend of nutrition, flavor, and elegance that will have you forgetting traditional pasta forever. Whether you're a health enthusiast, a low-carb dieter, or simply someone who loves exciting, fresh flavors, this dish is your ultimate culinary escape.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 20 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 2 servings
Ingredients
- 2 medium zucchinis, spiralized
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Wash zucchinis thoroughly under cool running water and pat dry with clean kitchen towel.
- Using a spiralizer, transform zucchinis into thin, noodle-like strands, ensuring consistent length and thickness.
- Place spiralized zucchini noodles in a large mixing bowl and gently pat with paper towels to remove excess moisture, which prevents soggy texture.
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together olive oil and balsamic vinegar to create a light dressing, seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Toast chopped walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent burning, until they become fragrant and golden brown.
- Pour the prepared dressing over zucchini noodles and toss gently to ensure even coating.
- Add dried cranberries and toasted walnuts to the zucchini noodles, mixing carefully to distribute ingredients evenly.
- Transfer the prepared zucchini noodle mixture to serving plates, ensuring an attractive presentation.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and additional cracked black pepper if desired.
- Serve immediately to enjoy the best texture and flavor of the zucchini noodles.
Tips
- Pat those zucchini noodles dry thoroughly - moisture is the enemy of a perfect "zoodle" texture! Use clean kitchen towels or paper towels to remove excess water.
- Toast your walnuts carefully - the key is constant stirring and watching them like a hawk to prevent burning. The moment they become fragrant, they're ready.
- Serve immediately after preparing to maintain the ideal crisp texture of the zucchini noodles. Letting them sit too long can make them soggy.
- For extra flavor, consider adding a sprinkle of nutritional yeast or some crumbled feta cheese to enhance the dish's complexity.
- If you don't have a spiralizer, don't worry! You can use a julienne peeler or even a sharp knife to create similar noodle-like strands. Pro tip: This recipe is incredibly versatile - feel free to experiment with different nuts or dried fruits to make it your own signature dish!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 320kcal
Carbohydrates: 25g
Protein: 8g
Fat: 24g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Cholesterol: 0mg
