This delightful tahini zucchini noodles recipe is a refreshing and healthy alternative to traditional pasta. It's perfect for a light lunch or dinner, offering a burst of flavor with every bite. The creamy tahini sauce pairs beautifully with the fresh, crisp zucchini noodles, making it a dish that's both satisfying and nutritious.
While most of the ingredients in this recipe are common pantry staples, you might need to pick up a couple of items from the supermarket. Tahini, a paste made from ground sesame seeds, might not be in everyone's kitchen but can be found in the international or health food aisle. Freshly squeezed lemon juice is essential for the bright, tangy flavor, so make sure to grab a couple of fresh lemons if you don't have them on hand.
Ingredients For Tahini Zucchini Noodles Recipe
Zucchini: Fresh and spiralized, these serve as the base for the noodles.
Tahini: A creamy paste made from ground sesame seeds, adding a rich, nutty flavor.
Lemon juice: Freshly squeezed to provide a tangy brightness to the sauce.
Garlic: Minced to infuse the sauce with a robust, savory taste.
Olive oil: Adds a smooth texture and enhances the flavor of the sauce.
Salt: Enhances the overall taste of the dish.
Black pepper: Freshly ground to add a hint of spice and depth.
Sesame seeds: Used as a garnish to add a bit of crunch and extra sesame flavor.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
When preparing zucchini noodles, it's essential to avoid overcooking them to maintain their crisp texture. After spiralizing, lightly pat the zucchini with a paper towel to remove excess moisture. This step ensures that the tahini sauce adheres better and prevents the dish from becoming watery.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
spiralized zucchini - Substitute with spiralized cucumber: Spiralized cucumber offers a similar texture and freshness, making it a great low-carb alternative.
tahini - Substitute with sunflower seed butter: Sunflower seed butter provides a similar creamy texture and nutty flavor, suitable for those with sesame allergies.
freshly squeezed lemon juice - Substitute with lime juice: Lime juice offers a similar acidity and citrus flavor, adding a refreshing tang to the dish.
minced garlic - Substitute with garlic powder: Garlic powder can provide a similar garlic flavor, though it is less pungent and more convenient.
olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a similar healthy fat profile and a mild flavor, making it a good alternative.
salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce adds a salty umami flavor, enhancing the overall taste of the dish.
freshly ground black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper provides a similar spiciness but with a slightly different flavor profile, often used in lighter-colored dishes.
sesame seeds - Substitute with chia seeds: Chia seeds offer a similar crunchy texture and nutritional benefits, making them a suitable garnish.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to This Dish
How to Store or Freeze This Dish
- To keep your tahini zucchini noodles fresh, store them in an airtight container. This will help maintain their crisp texture and prevent them from becoming soggy.
- Place the container in the refrigerator. The noodles will stay fresh for up to 2 days. Any longer, and the zucchini may start to release too much moisture.
- If you plan to store the tahini sauce separately, keep it in a small jar or container with a tight-fitting lid. This will keep the flavors intact and prevent the sauce from drying out.
- For freezing, first, ensure the zucchini noodles are completely dry. Excess moisture can cause ice crystals to form, which will make the noodles mushy upon thawing.
- Lay the noodles out on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Make sure they are spread out evenly and not touching each other.
- Place the baking sheet in the freezer for about 1-2 hours, or until the noodles are frozen solid. This process, known as flash freezing, prevents the noodles from clumping together.
- Once frozen, transfer the noodles to a freezer-safe bag or container. Label it with the date to keep track of freshness.
- The tahini sauce can also be frozen. Pour it into an ice cube tray and freeze until solid. Once frozen, transfer the cubes to a freezer-safe bag.
- When ready to use, thaw the zucchini noodles and tahini sauce in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat the sauce gently on the stove or in the microwave, adding a splash of water if needed to reach the desired consistency.
- Toss the thawed noodles with the reheated sauce, garnish with sesame seeds, and enjoy your meal as if it were freshly made.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Use a skillet: Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add a small amount of olive oil to the pan. Once the oil is hot, add the leftover zucchini noodles and toss them gently for about 2-3 minutes until they are warmed through. Be careful not to overcook, as the noodles can become mushy.
Microwave: Place the zucchini noodles in a microwave-safe dish. Cover the dish with a microwave-safe lid or a damp paper towel to retain moisture. Microwave on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking and stirring halfway through to ensure even heating.
Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread the zucchini noodles evenly on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover the noodles with aluminum foil to prevent them from drying out. Bake for about 5-7 minutes, or until they are heated through.
Steamer: Fill a pot with a small amount of water and bring it to a simmer. Place the zucchini noodles in a steamer basket and set it over the simmering water. Cover and steam for about 2-3 minutes until they are warmed through.
Double boiler: Fill the bottom part of a double boiler with water and bring it to a gentle simmer. Place the zucchini noodles in the top part of the double boiler and cover. Heat for about 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the noodles are warmed through.
Sous vide: If you have a sous vide machine, set it to 140°F (60°C). Place the zucchini noodles in a vacuum-sealed bag or a zip-lock bag with the air removed. Submerge the bag in the water bath and heat for about 10-15 minutes until the noodles are warmed through.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Spiralizer: A tool used to create long, noodle-like strands from zucchini.
Mixing bowl: A bowl used to combine and whisk the tahini sauce ingredients.
Whisk: An instrument used to blend the tahini, lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper until smooth.
Garlic press: A tool to mince the garlic clove efficiently.
Measuring cups: Used to measure out the tahini and lemon juice accurately.
Measuring spoons: Used to measure the olive oil, salt, and pepper precisely.
Serving bowl: A bowl to toss the zucchini noodles with the tahini sauce and serve.
Tongs: A utensil to toss the zucchini noodles with the tahini sauce evenly.
Knife: Used to cut the garlic clove before mincing.
Cutting board: A surface to safely cut and mince the garlic clove.
Sesame seed shaker: A container to sprinkle sesame seeds evenly for garnish.
How to Save Time on Making This Recipe
Pre-spiralize zucchini: Buy pre-spiralized zucchini from the store to save time on preparation.
Use a food processor: Mince the garlic quickly by using a food processor instead of chopping by hand.
Batch make tahini sauce: Prepare a larger batch of tahini sauce and store it in the fridge for future use.
Lemon juice hack: Use bottled lemon juice if you're in a hurry, though fresh is always best.
Pre-measure ingredients: Measure out all your ingredients beforehand to streamline the cooking process.
Tahini Zucchini Noodles Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 medium zucchini spiralized
- ¼ cup tahini
- 2 tablespoon lemon juice freshly squeezed
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
- 1. Spiralize the zucchinis and set aside.
- 2. In a mixing bowl, whisk together tahini, lemon juice, minced garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- 3. Toss the zucchini noodles with the tahini sauce until well coated.
- 4. Garnish with sesame seeds and serve immediately.
Nutritional Value
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