Zucchini spaghetti is an alternative to traditional pasta that offers several benefits: they are low-calorie, contain few carbohydrates and are gluten-free. Just like regular pasta, they can be served with different types of sauces or added to soups and minestrone. There are various methods of cooking them, so choose the one that you find best suited to your needs. In the microwave, sautéed or boiled, they require a maximum of 5 minutes to cook. Baking them is another option, which takes 15 minutes instead. Experiment with sauces and various cooking techniques to discover the method you prefer the most!
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Cooking in the Microwave Oven
Step 1. Place the zucchini noodles in a microwave-safe dish
It is preferable to use a large glass bowl, so that you can easily stir the spaghetti between cooking intervals. Avoid putting them in a shallow dish, otherwise you risk getting dirty. Choose a roomy and tall one.
You can add water if you want, but this is usually not necessary. In fact, courgettes are naturally rich in it
Step 2. Put the zucchini noodles in the microwave
Do not cover the dish. Place it directly in the center of the oven to promote even cooking. Once the dish has been placed, close the microwave door.
Step 3. Cook the spaghetti for 1 minute
Set the microwave to cook for 1 minute at medium temperature; avoid cooking spaghetti at a high temperature. Press the power button and let the microwave cook the zucchini noodles.
Step 4. Remove the pan from the oven and check the consistency of the spaghetti to see if they are crunchy
This feature depends on your personal taste: some people prefer zucchini noodles to have a compact consistency, similar to pasta al dente, while others prefer them soft. Taste a spaghetti to control the cooking according to your tastes.
Step 5. Stir the spaghetti and cook for another 30 seconds if necessary
If you find them too hard, stir them in the pan with the help of two forks to redistribute them. Then, put them back in the microwave. Close the door and cook them for another 30 seconds.
Step 6. Cook them at intervals of 30 seconds until the desired consistency is achieved
After 30 seconds, check the consistency of the spaghetti again. If necessary, stir them and cook them at intervals of 30 seconds until they reach the consistency of your choice. If you need to cook a lot of them, you may need to repeat the process several times.
Try not to overcook them
Step 7. Plate the spaghetti and serve them with your favorite sauce
Divide them among the dishes you intend to serve, then season them with a ladleful of sauce (prepare or reheat in advance). If desired, sprinkle with cheese or nutritional yeast and serve immediately.
- If you like to eat spicy, you could sprinkle some red pepper flakes on the noodles before serving.
- Choose a thick sauce. Once served, zucchini noodles tend to become immediately watery. If the sauce has a liquid consistency, they will become even more so.
Method 2 of 4: Boiled
Step 1. Bring the water to a boil over high heat
Take a pot, turn on the tap and fill it about halfway full. You don't need to use the exact amount of water - just make sure you use enough water to fully submerge the spaghetti. Put it on the stove and wait for it to come to a boil.
Step 2. Cook the spaghetti for 1-3 minutes
Stir them with a spoon until they are completely submerged in the water. Let them boil for 1-3 minutes, stirring occasionally. If you're only going to make one serving of spaghetti, 60 seconds of cooking should be enough. If you want to prepare larger quantities (for 4 or more people), cook them for about 3 minutes.
- If you plan on making large quantities, try dividing them into groups and cooking them separately to avoid overfilling the pot.
- Even if you prefer them soft, don't boil them for more than 5 minutes or they will overcook.
Step 3. Remove the spaghetti from the heat immediately
The risk of them overcooking is always around the corner, especially in boiling water. When cooked, grab the pot with pot holders and remove it from the heat. Turn off the gas and let them sit in the pot, as they will continue to cook inside.
Step 4. Drain them well
Place a colander in the sink and carefully pour the contents of the pot into it. Be careful, as noodles tend to stick and fall back all together. Let the water drip through the holes in the colander. Make sure the noodles are drained well. In this regard, you could slightly shake the colander.
If you are concerned that they will get soggy, spread a clean tea towel on the counter. Once drained, move them to the towel and lightly dab them with paper towels
Step 5. Distribute the spaghetti between the dishes you intend to serve and add the sauce of your choice
Heat the sauce before seasoning them. You can try using the one you usually use to season pasta, so experiment with marinara, pesto, butter and parmesan, etc. If desired, sprinkle some cheese or nutritional yeast and serve them immediately.
Method 3 of 4: Stir-fried
Step 1. To cook spaghetti this way, first heat 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of olive oil or avocado in a pan
Measure your favorite cooking oil and use it to coat a medium-sized non-stick pan. Put it on the fire setting it to medium temperature and let the oil heat up. It will take about 1-2 minutes.
If you want, chop a clove of garlic and brown it in hot oil
Step 2. Transfer the spaghetti to the pan and sauté for 1-2 minutes
Stir them occasionally with a wooden spoon while cooking. If you prefer them softer or need to make a lot of them, allow 3-5 minutes. While cooking, season with salt and pepper to taste.
Remove the pan from the heat immediately to prevent them from overcooking
Step 3. Plate the spaghetti and toss with your favorite sauce
Lemon sauce with garlic and prawns is particularly good for this cooking method, but you can use whatever you like. Experiment too! Prefer thick sauces, while avoiding liquid ones, as zucchini noodles tend to get mushy very easily. If you want, you can add a sprinkle of Parmesan or nutritional yeast and bring them to the table.
Method 4 of 4: Baking
Step 1. Preheat the oven to 90 ° C
Using the oven is perhaps the least suitable cooking method for preparing zucchini noodles - it takes longer and the results are more or less the same than the other methods. If you want, you can still give it a try! Preheat the oven to 90 ° C and let it heat up.
Step 2. Line a baking sheet using a dry paper towel
Cooking in the oven tends to extract a lot of water from the zucchini spaghetti, so, before spreading them on the pan, cover it with a paper towel. The napkin will absorb excess water as it flows out of the zucchini. Don't worry - it won't catch fire.
Step 3. Spread the spaghetti on a baking sheet and sprinkle with sea salt
Arrange them evenly on the pan until they form a single layer. Take a pinch of sea salt and spread it evenly. Salt is great for flavoring zucchini, but remember that it also deprives them of the water they contain. The paper napkin will therefore have the function of absorbing it.
Step 4. Bake the zucchini spaghetti for 10-15 minutes
Carefully place the pan on the center rack of the oven, then close the door. Let them cook for 10-15 minutes. It is not necessary to stir them during cooking.
Step 5. Take the spaghetti out of the oven and move them to a dry tea towel
Carefully remove the pan from the oven with the help of a glove. Place it on a heat-resistant surface. Spread a clean tea towel on the work surface, then move the zucchini noodles onto it using tongs. Blot them lightly with a clean paper towel to absorb excess water.
Step 6. Plate the spaghetti and toss with your favorite sauce
Distribute the portions you intend to serve, then pour a ladleful of hot sauce over each. You can experiment with any sauce, although it's best to choose a thick one. If desired, sprinkle with cheese and other toppings. Serve immediately.
