Monday 12 May 2014

They're Back, and Zucchini Pasta


They're back!  

Someone (iphone challenged hubby) didn't realize he was taking pictures with a filter.  So here is London in all of its gloomy yellow-cast glory.  Thankfully there were hundreds of photos taken with my camera (which came back in one piece, hallelujah!), and I think I can edit these to improve the lighting and the colouring.


While the boys were away, my girl was also away, off to the States to celebrate the college graduation of a special someone in her life.  I had an entire week to:

Do less laundry.
Worry that they were all safe in their travels.
Creep their social media to see what they were doing.
Cook smaller portions.

I tried something new, and everyone that was home seemed to like it.  Zucchini 'pasta'.


Healthy and ridiculously easy.  I used a julienne peeler to shred the zucchini into ribbons of  'pasta', steamed it with garlic, added a little seasoning, and served it with some chicken.  


The taste is mild, the texture is good, and it makes a great pasta substitute.  I first tried this at a Pampered Chef party I recently went to.  They served it with chicken and a bruschetta type mixture that they mixed in with the steamed zucchini.  I opted to skip the bruschetta mixture as most of my kids don't like tomatoes, and just served the seasoned zucchini with the seasoned chicken.  This zucchini 'pasta' is very similar to the spaghetti squash that we also enjoy as an occasional substitute for pasta. 

The Miracle of Spaghetti Squash


Zucchini Pasta with Bruschetta Chicken

6 medium sized or 4 large zucchini, washed
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp olive oil
Additional seasoning to taste,  I used a bit of pepper, oregano, cumin, and some red pepper flakes

Using a julienne peeler, run it lengthwise along all sides of the zucchini to create ribbons of 'pasta'.  Keep peeling until you get to the middle, seeded part of the zucchini.  Stop there.  Toss your zucchini ribbons with minced garlic, then steam the zucchini until it is tender yet still slightly firm, just like al dente pasta.  You don't want it to be too soft or it will become mushy.  Drain any liquid that the zucchini has released.  Toss steamed zucchini with olive oil and seasoning. 

Bruschetta Chicken

3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Salt, pepper, oregano (or Montreal Chicken Spice if it's available where you are) to taste
1 tbsp olive oil

3 cups diced fresh tomatoes (I prefer Roma tomatoes)
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup (small handful) fresh basil leaves, torn
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Season chicken and heat oil in a pan over medium heat.  Cook chicken breasts for 5-7 minutes on each side until cooked through.  Remove from pan and shred chicken or cut into bite sized pieces.  Set aside.

Toss together the diced fresh tomatoes, garlic, basil, and Parmesan cheese in a medium bowl.  Combine the tomato mixture with the chopped chicken.

Serve the Bruschetta Chicken on top of the Zucchini Pasta.  Garnish with additional Parmesan cheese.  Enjoy!



Thank you for featuring me!

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37 comments:

  1. I think the photos with the filter are beautiful...and they go very well with your zucchini pasta, which looks delicious!

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  2. Great photos!!! Not gonna lie, kinda liking the gloomy yellow :-)

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  3. I also like the photos--gives them a sort of vintage look.

    I've been seeing this zucchini pasta all over this afternoon and didn't realize it was yours. Very cool idea, especially for someone like my husband who eats low carb. Thanks for sharing!

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  4. I've got to try this, not only is it healthy, it is so gorgeous!
    Jenna

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  5. Zucchini pasta can't be beat - hands down!!!!! I'm going to make some for my family to switch things up a bit.

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  6. Looks delicious!! :) And great photos too!!

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  7. Did you learn about it while you were abroad? Love that you're using zucchini noodles!

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  8. Oh dear! All those lovely London photos look like they were taken in a bygone era!

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  9. Stopping by from Tasty Tuesdays to pin your Zucchini noodles. They look delicious! ...Shari www.PureGraceFarms.com

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  10. MMM! I love zucchini!! I will have to get one of those peelers! That is just so COOL!!

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  11. London looks as I remember it in the 1970's!

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  12. I think the photos look great the way they are. I love using my filters on my iPhone and my dslr. I think it gives them a snappy retro feel! I have a peeler that will give me noodles, but, it doesn't have that fancy edge. Now, I want one ; Thanks for linking at Tasty Tuesdays. Pinned and stopping by from YUMeating.com

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  13. That looks like a great recipe! I might have to try it. Have a terrific day!

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  14. I love the photos, and someday, I'm going to make zucchini pasta--pinning! :)

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  15. I kinda like the filter -- it seems to suit London.
    What a great idea for a pasta substitute! I had tried the spaghetti squash one before, but I never considered zucchini. looks delicious.

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  16. What a terrific idea! I am going to try this at home... :)
    hugs x, Crystelle
    Crystelle Boutique

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  17. I have been wanting to try zucchini pasta but I'm so worried my picky-eater hubby will not like it. :( I think after seeing your beautiful photos I'm going to try it anyway! Thanks!

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  18. I've been wanting to try Zucchini Pasta, I might have to try this out! Thank you for linking up at The Wednesday Round Up!

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  19. yay london and yay zucchini pasta. i really want to try this out, but the boyfriend thinks it will be soggy? thoughts?

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  20. Your photos of London still look good with the filter. I love London and was there last summer and miss it so much! Thanks for sharing these photos at this and that wordless wed. party!
    Julie at Julie's Lifestyle

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  21. I am going to get brave and try this in the summer when the veggies are fresh from the garden!

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  22. Haha so funny about not realising about the filter on the iphone. If it was overcast and gloomy (as London often is) then don't worry, it gives a cool retro vibe ;)

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  23. Its exactly the look I was going for! Love ya Jenn your Iphone Challenged Hubby

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  24. The zucchini pasta looks so good! Love the pictures of London. Have a great day!

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  25. Your London pictures look wonderful and so does your zucchini pasta. Thanks for linking up to my Almost Wordless Wednesday party and I hope you will join me again next week.

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  26. Pasta looks tasty! I loved visiting London (yikes, I'm not going to say how many years ago!).

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  27. Zucchini Pasta does sound delicious. And I love the pictures even in yellow because they're LONDON wooott!! :)

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  28. A couple of weeks ago my husband bought gadget that makes zucchini spaghetti.. I love it. I am going to try the brochette in with it. Thank you for sharing them on our Four Seasons Blog Hop

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  29. Beautiful pics! Thank you for sharing!

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  30. What a great idea. I recently started eating a gluten free and vegan diet and I'm on the lookout for tricks like this. I eat spaghetti squash a lot so the zucchini will be a nice change. Thank you for sharing!

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  31. Sounds wonderful and I just saw the tool to make zucchini spaghetti in the store the other day! I thought hmmm how often would I use this but didn't really think it out because after seeing your recipe I am sure I need one now!! Stopping by from Get Him Fed party.

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  32. I have been wanting to try zucchini pasta. It looks so good! Perked my interest when I saw it at The Weekend Social Link up!

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  33. Thanks so much for the "veggie" reminder of zucchini pasta. I've always loved the idea and haven't visited it for a while. Plus thanks so much for linking up to #theWeekendSocial. Please come back next week and link up more tastiness! :)

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  34. LOVE this recipe! Thanks so much for sharing at Tuesdays with a Twist. YOU have been featured this morning at Back to the Basics!!!

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  35. Thanks so much for Wednesday's Adorned From Above Link Party.
    Have a great week.
    Debi and Charly

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  36. Beautiful photos and I just love that Zucchini Pasta! Thanks so much for sharing this great recipe with Full Plate Thursday and have a great week!
    Come Back Soon!
    Miz Helen

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  37. I left a comment before and it must have disappeared. :( Your photos and your pasta are gorgeous! :-) Thanks for linking up with "Try a New Recipe Tuesday." I hope that you will be able to join us again this week. http://our4kiddos.blogspot.com/2014/05/try-new-recipe-tuesday-may-20.html

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