Once summer hits in British Columbia, farmers’ markets are in full swing. There is bountiful produce to enjoy, especially if you grow your own veggies or herbs. This recipe makes use of several market goodies: zucchini, tomatoes, mint, basil and garlic. Zucchini noodles are a low glycemic alternative to pasta and, for pesto-lovers, I have created a vegan, mint version high in flavour and healthy fats. Mint can help aid digestion and may even lower cholesterol. Let me know your thoughts by leaving a comment or sharing your versions with me @dr.dylancutler.
Ingredients:
- 1 zucchini
- 1 cup fresh basil
- 1 cup fresh mint
- 1/2 cup raw walnuts
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- cherry tomatoes
- spiralizer (or sharp knife)
How to:
- If using a spiralizer, cut both ends of zucchini off and get to work! Otherwise, cut zucchini into thin slices.
- Wrap zucchini in paper towel to absorb excess liquid.
- Use a food processor to combine basil, mint, walnuts, olive oil, garlic and lemon juice until a smooth paste is formed.
- Combine zucchini with pesto and mix well. I added spoonfuls of pesto slowly until I reached the ratio I wanted, which resulted in half the pesto leftover.
- Add veggies, like tomatoes, or a high-protein source, such as beans or legumes, if you’d like to make this a meal. Enjoy your minty zoodles!
PCOS Powers:
- zucchini = anti-inflammatory, high in potassium (can help reduce blood pressure), high in fiber (can help lower cholesterol), low glycemic, and a source of polyphenols (may beneficially affect thyroid, adrenal, and insulin regulation)
- walnuts = no cholesterol, high in unsaturated fats which help reduce both LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels, may help prevent cardiovascular disease
- mint = can aid indigestion, may help manage cholesterol
- garlic = can help lower cholesterol, an antibiotic, & blood cleanser which relaxes blood vessels for easier blood flow
PIN FOR LATER:
I want to get one of those spiralizers for my SIL. She eats low carb and I think she’s love zucchini noodles.
This looks lovely, light, and perfect for summer! I just rediscovered my spiralizer this morning so I’m thinking it’s a sign that I need to make zucchini noodles and pesto asap!
yum, this looks great. I love Zucchini and we grow our own in my garden, can’t wait to try this recipe!
Wonderful! Well you are well-prepared!
Oh wow, I’ve never thought of using mint in pesto! I buy a mint plant every spring, and it goes crazy, and I only have a couple of recipes to use it with. Now I’ve got a third! Thanks for sharing
Oh my gosh, this looks so yummy!
I’m going to have to try it <3
Lovely, simple and just the perfect recipe for the people with crazy zucchini plant…
Oooh delicious, I love zucchini noodles and really love the sound of this mint pesto especially with my mint plant growing wild at the moment, time to do some harvesting! 😀
This is soooo yummy!!! Great recipe!!! I think this is going to be one of my favourites!!!
What an interesting way to create a pasta dish, looks yummy! I will have to try to make this for sure!
This looks so yummy! I’m going to have to try this out myself!
wow! This looks delicious and the photos are amazing! I will try as soon as back from holidays!
This looks and sounds amazing. I need to try this. I am a zucchini and pesto fan so I’m sure it will be delicious.
Xo,
Angelle
http://www.dashingdarlin.com
Looks delicious. I love zucchini noodles and mint pesto! I just got back from BC and was enamoured with all the incredible produce!
I just love anything pesto! Thank you for sharing this over at Healthy Living Link party. I will be featuring your dish for tomorrow’s party, I hope to see you again, pinned and shared!
This looks and sounds absolutely delicious! Thanks so much for sharing on the Healthy Living Link Party 🙂 We will be featuring your recipe tonight so don’t forget to stop by and grab your “featured” button! Have a wonderful night! 🙂
Wow! How exciting. Thank you so much. I love connecting with health-conscious bloggers! <3
Love it! Never tried mint pesto but sound delicious!!
Hey cuz–i made this one for my parents and they loved it (even dad!). Perfect for these scorching hot summer days.
xo,
Sofia
This makes me so happy! I love when I hear others are trying my recipes… and even better when it is family! Miss you cuz and a family reunion is in order. Until then, I’ll post a few more recipes for you 😉 xoxo
Oh my! This is perfect for summer nights. It’s healthy and definitely full to the tummy!
Yum this sounds so wonderful. I love it when pesto is walnut based, instead of pine nut based. Question: Which spiraler do you use? I have one, but it’s more for curly fries, so they come out fettuchini sized instead of spaghetti sized!
Amber
http://amusedblog.com
I am so excited to try this. I love zucchini, and have been looking for new dishes in which to use the fresh mint that I have been growing at home this summer. Thanks!
love pesto! can’t wait to try this recipe 🙂 xo, sharon
http://www.stylelullaby.com/fashion/getting-ready-holidays-jenni-kayne/
I’ve got to try this 🙂
I love zoodles! And can’t go wrong with vegan pesto. It goes well with so many meals and snacks 🙂
Oh my it looks so tasty! Love it!
Such a relief finding a vegan pesto recipe! I used to loooove pesto before I went vegan and I was low key disappointed that I wouldn’t be able to have it anymore. This looks so delicious and fresh.
This looks sooo yummy… Would love to try it this weekend for our family dinner 😀
First of all your photos from this set is amazing. Definitely drooling over that image on the left as I comment. Your ingredients and recipe seem totally doable. Wish I could make this right now. Thanks for sharing!
Vincent
http://vincentcarabeo.com/
These look so good! I really need to get one of those spirulizers so I can finally make them at home! Thank you for the recipe!
I love using zucchini noodles!!! And pesto….well the combo is DELICIOUS!
This recipe is absolutely created for me! I love all the ingredients you used to make this delicious pasta. And your photos are gorgeous, they make me hungry!
This dish looks AWESOME. I <3 zoodles.
This looks positively delicious! So nice and fresh. Great to keep in mind for January 🙂
Yummy yummmm! Mint pesto sounds Heavenly!
I am obsessed with pesto and zucchini noodles! This is definitely a recipe that I need to try! Thanks.
I eat a lot of zucchini when it’s in season and prepare it in many ways. I keep meaning to ask Santa for a spiralizer. That would be another great way to prepare a lot of veggies. This Pesto sounds yummy and using veggies as pasta is so much better for you…
This looks delicious!!! I’m dying to try a spiralizer and make zucchini noodles. It looks delicious!
I recently bought a spiral slicer so I love finding healthy and delicious vegan recipes to try! I love this delectable recipe and can’t wait to make it. I’m pinning, sharing and featuring this recipe at this week;’s Healthy Living Link Up!