Zoodles with Avocado Cream Sauce

Thanksgiving is only 6 days away! Below is a delicious, healthy, and creative recipe for your Thanksgiving feast! For every holiday, I make a new, healthy, and interesting dish. I do this partly because I think it is fun to add a different dish than the typical Thanksgiving or holiday staples, but also I have been a vegetarian for 8 years and counting. My family is very big into traditional meat and holiday dishes. Luckily, I've always loved to cook. Last year I made this recipe for the holidays and it was a big hit! This dish is a healthy, unique, and filling alternative to pasta, unhealthy dishes, and traditional holiday meals.

Last year I invested only $12 in this zoodler from Amazon. It was the best purchase I've made for under $15. It works similar to a pencil sharpener, but it creates fun, curly shaped zucchini noodles. You can also purchase a cheap julienne cutter that will turn zucchini into noodles.  

This is one of my favorite zoodle (zucchini noodle) recipes because it includes avocados! Avocados are great for making sauces because they are naturally thick, creamy, filling, and delicious. You can add a little heat to this dish by sprinkling in some crushed red pepper. You can also have fun and get creative by adding your favorite seasonings. Enjoy! 

Vegan Zoodles with Avocado Cream Sauce

Prep Time: 15 minutes          Cooking Time: 10 minutes          Serves: 6 

INGREDIENTS:
4 cups red cherry tomatoes
6 large zucchini, spiralized
2 heads of broccoli 
2 peppers 
½ of a white onion

SAUCE:
2 avocados
½ cup Spinach
¼ cup olive oil
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup fresh flat leaf parsley
2 garlic cloves
juice of 1 lemon
½ to 1 cup water
freshly ground pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS:

1. Cut the ends of the zucchini. 
2. Using a spiralizer or julienne peeler, turn the 6 zucchinis into noodles. 
3. Place zoodles on paper towel to soak up moisture. 
4. Place avocados, spinach, olive oil, salt, parsley, garlic, and lemon in a blender or food processor and process until smooth.
5. Add water to the blender or food processor to thin out the sauce, as desired. 
6. Sautée broccoli, peppers, and onion in a pan with olive oil, then remove and place in a bowl.
7. Place zoodles in a pan with olive oil and cook for 3-5 minutes.
8. Drain excess water from the pan.
9. Combine zoodles, broccoli, peppers, and cherry tomatoes. 
10. Add avocado cream sauce to the zoodles and sauteed vegetables (if desired add freshly ground pepper).
11. Enjoy!