Submitted by: Lisa Canter
Prep Time: 5 Minutes
Cook Time: 20 Minutes
Servings: 4
I learned this trick of using raw zucchini noodles instead of pasta noodles and it is delicious. Raw zucchini has a great texture and no real taste so that it blend in perfectly with whatever sauce you choose
16 oz. ground beef
1 tomato sauce
1 zucchini
1/4 oz. cheese, any type
I start by putting a little water in a fry pan and adding whatever ground meat I have. Boiling it in about 1/4 cup of water while breaking it up with a fork gives it the texture I want for a sauce. Then I add in mushroom or whatever vegetable I plan on using. Finally I add the sauce in and let it simmer for about 10 minutes while I prepare the zucchini.
I have a mandoline - so this is really helpful - but you could try slicing the long way and making julienne strips yourself. I keep the skin on. I also grate raw cheese using a fine grater.
When making dinner for my family - I will cook them brown rice noodles. They are not ready for my zucchini noodles yet. Mainly because I have two girls 8 and 10. My husband has tried them and does like them.
I carefully combine the sauce and zucchini to make it 1 carb but I also don't think of raw zucchini as having the same effect on your body as a piece of fruit - so I may hit more of a 1.5 carb amount. You don't cook the zucchini - the raw texture and flavor are a perfect noodle substitute. Top off with 1 - 2 ounces of grated raw cheese and enjoy.