Who doesn’t love pasta? (No seriously, don’t even tell me, I’m scared to know!)
With the summer heat, sometimes it can be hard to want to cook over the stove or turn on that oven, which is why I will be sharing a perfect summer alternative for all those pasta lovers out there.
Whats the main ingredient you ask? Avocados. Yes, you heard me, avocados.
Now since we live in a society that that tends to fear fat, avocados can sometimes get a bad name since they are a high fat food (85% of its calories come from fat). However, I am here to tell you that they are a wonderful source of heart-healthy fats that we should not fear (if you don’t believe me, my shirt speaks for itself!) If that isn’t good enough, here are some more health benefits of avocados:
- One avocado has the same amount of potassium as 2-3 bananas.
- Avocados are cholesterol and sodium free
- The phytochemicals in avocados help fight cancer and heart disease
- The oils in the avocados include linoleic and oleic acids, which may help lower cholesterol
- They are an excellent source of vitamins A, C, E, B, iron, fiber, potassium, copper, calcium, magnesium, phosphorous and manganese.
What is so great about avocados is that they are so versatile. Guacamole, while amazing, is not its only quality. Avocados can be a great base for chocolate mousse, smoothies, ice cream and even PASTA SAUCE, which is why we are all here today.
Creamy avocados, fragrant garlic, fresh basil, tart lemon juice, perfectly spiralized zucchinis. What is not to love?
This recipe is perfect for a hot, summer day when you want something light, fresh and filling. Also, it is sooooooo easy! Throw everything in a food processor, top it on some spiralized zucchini and throw in a couple of sundried tomatoes and voila!
Prep time: 5 mins Total time: 15 mins Serves: 2-4 INGREDIENTS
- 2-4 zucchinis (depending on how many people)
- 2 avocados
- ½ cup basil (tightly packed)
- 1-2 garlic cloves (I used 2)
- 1/2 – 1 lemon (I used 1 full lemon)
- 1 Tbs olive oil
- ½ tsp sea salt, or to taste
- ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
- Sundried tomatoes (optional)
- Extra basil for garnish
INSTRUCTIONS
- First, prepare the zucchini noodles by using a spiralizer or a julienne peeler. If you are eating this dish raw, stop here. However, if you want the noodles softer, put in a pot of boiling water until they reach the desired texture.
- To make the sauce: throw the rest of the ingredients into the food processor and process until creamy. Stopping to scrape down the sides when necessary.
- Toss with zucchini noodles and serve right away.
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