Zucchini Pasta and Almond Pesto

Ingredients

• 6 Medium Zucchini

PESTO SAUCE

• 2 containers of basil (80 grams total)
• 1/3 cup toasted slivered almonds
• 5 Tbsp olive oil
• 1⁄2 tsp sea salt, ⅛ tsp pepper
• 4 cloves roasted garlic
• 1⁄4 cup grated Parmesan cheese 

Directions

1. Spiralize zucchini in a bowl, using your preferred spiralizing blade.  I like ribbons (pictured above) , however long noodles work perfectly too.  
2. Salt zucchini with ¼-½ tsp sea salt and stir to coat.  This will result in excess water sweating out of the zucchini and therefore less coming out when you are cooking them.  Let noodles sweat for up to 1 hr at room temperature.  Use paper towels to absorb excess moisture.
3. Roasting garlic:  In a small frying pan on low heat , saute whole garlic cloves in 5 Tbsps olive oil, until slightly brown and soft in texture.  Use the olive oil infused with the garlic as part of the pesto sauce.
4. In a food processor, add pesto sauce ingredients and process until smooth. Set aside.
5. Heat 1⁄2 tbsp olive oil in a frying pan and add spiralized zucchini and cook on high for 2-3 minutes.
6. Add pesto sauce to the cooked zucchini. Toss to coat and heat through.
7. Serve immediately.
8.  Pesto sauce can be frozen for up to 3 month.  It will also keep in the fridge for 1 week.

NUTRITIONIST’S TIP:
This Almond Pesto sauce can be served over regular pasta also.  I like the zucchini because it’s a great gluten-free alternative to pasta.  I’ve tried many gluten-free pasta brands and by far the best is Rummo from Italy (they make both gluten-free and regular)