YOU GUYS. I’ve been out of commission with bronchitis for two weeks, which is my (valid?) excuse for being absent from the blog for so long! I’VE MISSED YOU!!!! ? ? ?
Now that I’m off the steroids and antibiotics and finally feeling human (sort of) again, I bring you this super easy (so necessary) and delicious zucchini noodles (aka. zoodles) salad that is both light and hearty.
Perfect for when you are both swamped AND starving. #storyofmylife
There is SO much that needs to be done still for our move to Belize, and I’m frankly overwhelmed with the monstrously long “to-do” list I’m facing. My Evernote account is screaming for mercy with all the different lists and notes I’ve got going, but we ARE making some progress at least.
We fly out from JFK on May 3rd, and if our three flights are all on time we’ll be in settled into our condo in San Pedro by dinner. If one of our connectors is even a little bit late, we’ll be stuck in Miami overnight. That wouldn’t usually be a problem, but we’ll have a TON of luggage with us, AND our two cats. ? ? Oy.
Peach and Foof are going to FREAK. OUT. Which is bad because they’ll be riding in the cabin with us as carry ons, and I can guarantee that THEY WILL NOT BE USING THEIR INSIDE VOICES.
I’ve set aside a hefty budget to buy all of our surrounding seat-mates cocktails and earphones just in case. Our flight leaves JFK at 8:15am – so it will be Bloody Mary’s all around.
And keep them coming. For reals. ✈️ ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
Like we don’t have enough to do, I need to get our taxes filed ASAP, so that they’re all wrapped up before we leave for SC for 2 weeks in April. Every year I swear up and down that THIS TIME I won’t wait until the last minute to go through all of my receipts. And every Spring I’m staring down a gargantuan pile of them that takes literally days to go through.
I don’t understand how the obsessive planner in me lets this happen – I really don’t. Usually she’s in my head yelling – “GET IT TOGETHER SISTER” and it keeps me on top of things.
When it comes to taxes though, the procrastinator side of me is like “there, there, the taxes can wait – a few more minutes of Candy Crush Soda will clear your head and make you even more productive when you start them later.” ? ?? ? ? ? ? ⏳ ? ? ? ?
#struggles
But enough about me and my issues. Let’s talk about this awesome low carb zoodles salad.
Honestly calling this recipe a salad isn’t really doing it justice. There is no cooking involved, making it super easy and technically raw – so maybe a salad?
And yet it’s so gratifyingly toothsome that it eats more like a plate of delicious pasta.
#winning
I actually made this back in February, when the winter flavors of bitter radicchio, earthy walnuts and salty ribbons of Parmesan cheese felt more appropriate. And while I’m just now getting around to posting it with Spring already knocking at the door – it still totally works.
The light citrus vinaigrette and fresh parsley makes this sufficiently Spring-like, while the toasty flavors of parmesan and walnuts give it heft and comfort food appeal.
It’s basically a seasonal win/win. Like Winter and Spring holding hands and nodding enthusiastically at you while waiting for you to take that first bite.
Too weird? What can I say – I’m three four five coffees in and make no excuses. ☕️ ☕️ ☕️ ☕️ ☕️
Now before I go, let’s talk about spiralizers for a minute. The genius apparatus that makes veggie noodles of all kinds possible.
Do you have one? If yes – excellent. ? ?? ?
If not, I recommend this spiralizer because it’s super easy to use and pretty much foolproof for around 30 bucks. You can get them a little cheaper if you go with the handheld small ones, but they are generally harder to use, and won’t work as well with firmer low carb veggies like daikon radish, jicama, or even sweet potatoes if you’re Paleo.
This version also works as a mandolin for thinly slicing veggies for chips and such, which is a nice feature that not all spiralizers have!
Once you’ve got your spiralizer, I recommend making this low carb zoodles salad recipe ASAP!
Then you can also try my Bacon and Zucchini Noodle Eggs in a Nest and Chicken Cacciatore Meatballs with Zoodles – two IBIH favorites!!! I’m excited for you! ?
Now I’m off to play Candy Crush work on my taxes… ? ? ?
Have a great week Peeps! ?
Zucchini Noodles Salad with Parmesan & Walnuts – Low Carb
- Yield: Four 1.5 cup servings 1x
Description
A healthy alternative to pasta salad using low carb zucchini noodles. Loaded with Parmesan, walnuts, radicchio and parsley in a light lemon vinaigrette.
Ingredients
For the salad:
- 4 cups spiralized zucchini noodles
- 1 cup fresh radicchio, shredded
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, roughly chopped
- 1 oz parmesan cheese, shaved
- 1/4 cup walnuts, roughly chopped
For the vinaigrette:
- 1/3 cup avocado oil (or light olive oil)
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp minced fresh garlic
- 1/2 tsp granulated sugar substitute (I used swerve)
- Kosher salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Gently toss the salad ingredients together in a medium bowl.
- In a small bowl, whisk to together the vinaigrette ingredients.
- Pour the vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently to coat.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
Approx nutrition info per serving: 265 calories, 25g fat, 5.5g net carbs, 6g protein
- Category: Low Carb Zoodle Recipe
- Cuisine: Italian
Nikki Butler says
Can you make the vinaigrette the day before? I’m going to make this for a Thanksgiving side!
Mellissa Sevigny says
Yes!
KalynsKitchen says
Happy Friday! Just letting you know that I featured this recipe today in my Low-Carb Recipe Love on Fridays. I hope a lot of my readers will try it!
Mellissa Sevigny says
Thank you Kalyn!
Jennifer says
I hope you keep writing updates on your move! I really can’t tell you how happy I am for all of you Hungries (even though I have never met you in real life!). I’m sure some of my happiness is due to the suckyness of my current situation, but hey—take happy when you can get it, right??? I think it’s exciting to read about adventures, so I really appreciate you sharing about yours. I am looking forward to trying the salmon patty/cake/fritter recipe because I have leftover salmon to use.
Mellissa Sevigny says
Thanks Jennifer! I don’t want IBIH to become all about our life in Belize (maybe a new blog about that?) but I will definitely mix in anecdotes and updates on how things are going as we progress! Hope you like the salmon patties! :)
shannon @ a periodic table says
so, a few things here:
1. this post made me cry-laugh, and i’m still actually cry-laughing, so forgive any typos.
2. here i am feeling really sorry for myself about our own move to oh…like 20 minutes away from where we were, and then i read about you moving a bajillion miles away with TWO SCREAMING CATS and i’m like “yo, self: you need to CHILL.” Because that is the most daunting thing i can think of, and if i could travel/get drunk with you mid-flight? I’d totally do that.
3. I love that you’re moving to San Pedro: how thrilling! I hope you’re planning to do plentiful photo sharing, just saying.
4. I’ve missed you! and good luck with everything: give my love to Mr. Hungry and Hungry Jr.
5. I’m totally making this salad b/c delicious.
Margaret says
Sounds like you are making very good progress for your move! Whew! Good luck with all the final prep! Thanks for another wonderful looking recipe- it’ll be on my to-try-soon list!
Mellissa Sevigny says
Thanks Margaret! Hope you enjoy this one!
Seagal says
I’ve been using your wonderful recipes for quite some time and haven’t thanked you for all you do! So sorry you’ve been under the weather, with all you must have to do before your move to Belize. I missed the talk about why and wherefore, but will look forward to hearing of your new home and your wild adventures.
The sedative idea is good for the kitties, hope they like their new home when they get there. Of course, I’m thinking of jungle huts in the trees, not a perfectly normal condo, so you will all acclimate.
Thanks again, you help me stay within my goals as a type2 low carber:)
Mellissa Sevigny says
Thanks Seagal! I wrote a lengthy post a couple of weeks ago with photos on our trip and upcoming move – we’re really excited about it! Unfortunately the airlines frown on sedating cats due to pressure changes in the cabin and such there have been complications and even deaths! Who knew? So glad IBIH is helping you meet your goals – thanks for taking the time to comment!
Stephanie says
Glad you’re feeling better, and I can TOTALLY relate about the taxes! I’m obsessively organized, and yet I can’t seem to bring myself to do them monthly, or even quarterly. It’s March for me! Ugh.
This salad is brilliant! Can’t wait to try after this week’s grocery run. And the image of Winter and Spring holding hands brought a huge smile to my face – but all your posts do! BTW, have you thought about talking to your vet about a sedative (or herbal sedative) for your kitties? It may make the trip more tolerable for the little ones!
Mellissa Sevigny says
Sorry I missed this comment Stephanie! I actually DID get some herbal treats that are supposed to be calming since actual sedatives are dangerous for cats on planes apparently. Foof loves them, which is good because she’s the more high strung one, but Peach just sniffs them and walks away so we’ll see how it goes! ?
Karen says
I’m looking for food I can bring on an international flight with me. This might work. Looks delish!
Mellissa says
This would be perfect Karen! No meat or eggs to worry about, it refrigerates well, and it keeps for a few days! Enjoy!
Becky says
Did you cook the zoodles or are they raw? Congrats on the move to paradise! Totally jealous! (Not of your cat wrangling on a crowded plane–consider kitty downers!!)
Mellissa says
Excellent question Becky – no cooking, keep them raw! ?
Kate | HappyForks.com says
The most beautiful zucchini noodles I’ve ever seen! Addition of radicchio makes the color contrast just perfect! Mel, do you think creamy avocado dressing instead of vinaigrette would work as well? I mean replacing avocado oil with half of soft avocado.
Mellissa Sevigny says
It would be thicker and maybe muddy the colors a bit but I bet the flavor would be amazing! Let me know if you try it!
Kate | HappyForks.com says
You are right! I didn’t think about the final look. ;) Your salad looks so pretty! Avocado dressing would be a bit lighter in terms of calories, but it seems that this kind of compromise is not appropriate this time.
Amanda says
Looks yummy and can’t wait to try it. Waiting til I have zukes coming in from my garden…I can’t stand the ones from the grocery store anymore! Bleh! So excited/insanelyjealous of your tropical move! Totally feel you on the taxes….I think I’m waiting for the fairies to tackle them…and they have not. Boo!
Mellissa says
Stupid lazy fairies! Ha ha – if only! ?