5 Simple Recipes Using Zucchini Noodles

Eating healthy doesn’t have to be boring. In fact, you can make some fabulous meals using fresh ingredients, all the while staying focused on your Thinco program weight control goals. Craving some pasta? Try replacing it with Zucchini noodles. You’ll hardly know the difference!

Zucchini is low in calories and carbohydrates but is surprisingly filling. It is also packed with vitamins and minerals that make this fruit a fabulous addition to your Thinco food plan!

Here are 5 amazing recipes using zucchini noodles.

Tomato, Chickpea and Zucchini Salad

Suitable for Phase 2 & 3

Ingredients:

• 2 cups zucchini noodles
• 80g chickpeas (must be cooked, drained & then weighed) OR 80g canned chickpeas
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes
• 2 lemons

Preparation:

If using uncooked chickpeas – the night before: Place chickpeas in a bowl of water. Soak overnight or for at least 12 hours. Drain excess water.

Method:

In a medium-sized bowl, mix the zucchinis, chickpeas and cherry tomatoes. Squeeze fresh lemon juice to coat. Toss to mix and add salt and pepper to taste. Plate and dig in!

Crab and Zucchini Noodles

Suitable for Phase 2 & 3

Ingredients:

• 100g cooked crab meat
• 3 cups zucchini noodles
• ½ cup onions
• 2 garlic cloves

Preparation:

Saute onions in a pan with garlic until caramelized. Stir in zucchini noodles and add ½ cup of water. Cook for 5-6 minutes and add crab meat. If water completely evaporates, add 1-2 tablespoons of water to avoid scorching. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes. Plate and enjoy!

Avocado, Lime and Cilantro Zucchini Noodles

Suitable for Phase 3

Ingredients:

• 1 avocado
• Lime
• Fresh cilantro
• 2 cups zucchini noodles

Preparation:

Plate zucchini noodles. Sprinkle lime juice and toss. Add fresh cilantro and avocado slices. Enjoy!

Avocado Chicken and Zucchini Noodles

Suitable for Phase 3

Ingredients:

• 175-225g grilled chicken
• 1 avocado
• 2 cups zucchini noodles
• Lime juice
• Garlic shallots
• ½ cup diced onion

Preparation:

Saute onions and garlic in a pan. Once caramelized, add zucchini noodles and ½ cup of water. Cook for 5-6 minutes and then drain. Lower heat source. Return zucchini noodles, garlic and onion to pan and stir in grilled chicken. Squeeze lemon juice and stir. Dish up with sliced avocado and enjoy!

Asian Zucchini Noodle Bowl

Suitable for Phase 2 and 3

Ingredients:

• 1 cup zucchini noodles
• 1 cup bok choy
• 1 cup snow peas
• Braggs Aminos
• ¼ cup green onions (thinly sliced)
• 2 cups all natural chicken broth
• 100g chicken breast cubed

Preparation:

Saute chicken in a pan until no longer pink. Remove from the heat source. In a separate pan heat chicken broth. Add water, bok choy, zucchini noodles and snow peas stirring often. When vegetables are soft, add the chicken to the pot cooking for 10-15 minutes. Dish up in bowls. Garnish with green onions. Add Braggs Aminos to taste and enjoy!

Some tips for preparing zucchini noodles

Most stores now have prepared zucchini noodles in their produce section making preparing these recipes even more convenient. However, if you want to make it from scratch, preparing zucchini noodles is relatively simple. The easiest way to make zucchini noodles is by using a spiralizer. If you don’t have one, you can always use a vegetable peeler to achieve a similar result.

You’ve got this!

Losing weight doesn’t have to be about all the restrictions. Often those restrictions open up a whole new world of colourful foods that make weight control ironically, very delicious. Let your new food choices make the kitchen a fun place to be. It is more than possible when you’re cooking with healthy and life-giving foods. Not only will the scale approve, but so will your taste buds!
Give these recipes a try. We would love to know what you think!

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