Easy Veggie "Pasta"

Continuing with this month of healthy recipes, I have a fun way to get TONS of veggies into your diet!  It is super easy and quick, which I love on those nights that I don't want to chop a bunch of veggies and wash a boatload of knives/cutting boards/pots/pans/dishes.

There are so many ways to prepare this dish, and I will share a few of my favorite versions.  :)

Here is my "recipe" for easy Veggie "Pasta!"

Disclaimer:  This cannot completely replace or mimic pasta noodles, especially because I am a carbolic.  However, considering the amount of nutrition it packs versus the higher calorie amount in pasta, it is a good swap to make every so once in a while.

Before I get to the magic ingredient, I should explain a couple of things.  I have a serious pasta addiction.  When I was a child, I brought spaghetti sandwiches in my bag lunch.  Yes, that's two slices of white Wonder bread wrapped around as much spaghetti as I could possibly eat, without it falling apart.  I became REALLY good at making them.  :)

Anyways, I have tried all kinds of pasta substitutes:

• Spaghetti squash:
• Texture: a bit crunchy
• Taste: good, but can be a bit on the watery side
• Prep time: lots of time needed
• Shirataki noodles:
• Texture: can be odd & squishy
• Taste:  sometimes fishy, depending on the brand
• Prep: very little!
• Homemade zucchini noodles
• Texture: best by far, unless you don't remove the seeds
• Taste:  awesome!
• Prep:  a bit of time to use the spiral veggie cutter and more time to cook;  lots of clean-up  :(

So for me, the best of the three is the zucchini noodles, which do take a bit of time.  However, it was my lucky day at the store because I found this on sale.  I fell in love.  :)

Yes, I do realize that this says Best By: 08/13/13, but I took these pictures about 6 months ago, hence the Blogspot web address.  Yep, I'm juuuust a bit behind with this post!  :)

It's broccoli slaw!  How does this become pasta?  Here's the "recipe."


Veggie "Pasta"
A Vintage Zest original

Ingredients
Broccoli slaw
(Serving options below)


Directions

1.  Place the broccoli slaw on a microwave safe plate.

2.  If desired, you may remove the large pieces of cabbage that will not "feel" like pasta when cooked.

3.  Steam in the microwave with a bit of water or in a microwave steamer for 4 to 5 minutes, depending on your settings.  I check on mine every 2 minutes, just to see how it is doing and to stir it around.

That's it!

So, how do I serve it?  Any way that I would normally eat pasta!  Here are my favorite topping ideas, which I always have on hand:

• Pesto
• Spicy tomato sauce (if I have extra from this lasagna recipe)
• Sundried tomatoes
• Cherry tomatoes, sliced
• Mozzarella cheese
• Grilled chicken breast (you can see that above)

Then, I just stick it in the microwave again, and it's perfect!  You could always cook this in a pan, but on my lazy days, I love just having one plate to clean at the end of a very healthy dinner.

What is your favorite no-cook healthy dinner?