Zoodles are a healthy alternative to traditional pasta, and a good spiralizer can make a fresh and healthy meal fast. This recipe is a quick and colorful meal that is easy to make.

You will need to buy zoodles at the store, or ideally, make them fresh at home with a spiralizer. For this recipe, we used the Nunewares 4-Blade Spiralizer because it can make spaghetti and fettuccine sized pasta widths for 3mm, 5mm, and 5.5mm veggie noodles. Once cooked, the texture and size of this thinner ribbon of noodle are very pasta-like.

INGREDIENTS

• 3-4 medium-sized zucchini
• 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
• 4 slices of sandwich pepperoni, silvered
• 1 T grated Italian cheese
• 1 T Olive Oil

DIRECTIONS

1. Trim then spiralize zucchini just before use, or if earlier, refrigerate until preparation.

   

2. Heat Olive Oil over medium heat, add zucchini and stir frequently till desired consistency, making sure not to overcook or moisture will drown and the zoodles will become limp and mushy.

   

3. Add tomatoes and slivered pepperoni. Mix in. Heat briefly. 
4. Sprinkle with grated cheese and serve immediately.
5. Add crushed red pepper flakes to taste if desired

Serves two generously.

Creamed Ginger Glazed Carrot Coins look colorful and lovely on the plate, are tasty and are easy to make. The ginger offers a tangy bite that balances nicely with the creamy sauce, but the carrot is not mushy. A nice zest to pair with poultry dishes.

In a saucepan, bring 1 in. of water to a boil. Place carrots in a steamer basket over the boiling water; cover and steam for 8-10 minutes or until crisp yet tender. Remove basket; drain liquid and return vegetables to the pan.

Add sauce, butter, parsley, salt and pepper; heat through.

Yield: 4 servings.

Prep/Total Time: 25 min.

Ingredients

This recipe is very versatile to what vegetables or pasta you have on hand.

We used frozen green beans and corn, some fresh carrots and ziti.

Directions

1. In a 5-quart slow cooker, combine frozen corn and/or peas, onion, carrots, zucchini, and garlic.
2. Stir in broth, tomato paste, salt, and basil.
3. Cover and cook on low-heat setting for 7 to 8 hours or on a high-heat setting for 3 1/2 to 4 hours.
4. If using low-heat setting, turn to a high-heat setting.
5. Stir in frozen green beans and pasta such as ziti or macaroni.
6. Cover and cook for 45 minutes more.
7. Before serving, stir in parsley.