Zucchini Noodles with Pesto: Spiralize zucchini into noodles and toss them with homemade or store-bought pesto sauce. Top with cherry tomatoes and a sprinkle of grated parmesan cheese

Zucchini noodles with pesto is a delicious and healthy dish that's perfect for a light dinner. Here's a simple recipe to make this flavorful meal:

Ingredients:

3-4 medium-sized zucchinis
1 cup fresh basil leaves
1/3 cup pine nuts or walnuts (you can also use almonds)
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2-3 garlic cloves
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Cherry tomatoes (optional, for garnish)
Extra grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for garnish)

Instructions:

Wash the zucchinis and trim off the ends. Using a spiralizer or a julienne peeler, turn the zucchinis into long, noodle-like strands. If you don't have a spiralizer, you can also use a vegetable peeler to make wider, ribbon-like noodles.
Place the zucchini noodles in a colander, sprinkle some salt over them, and let them sit for about 10 minutes. This helps to draw out excess moisture. After 10 minutes, pat them dry with paper towels.
In a food processor or blender, combine the fresh basil leaves, pine nuts (or walnuts), grated Parmesan cheese, and garlic cloves. Pulse until the ingredients are roughly chopped.
With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until the pesto reaches your desired consistency. You may need to scrape down the sides of the bowl occasionally.
Taste the pesto and add salt and pepper as needed.
In a large skillet, heat a little olive oil over medium heat. Add the zucchini noodles and sauté for 2-3 minutes until they are just tender. Be careful not to overcook them, as zucchini noodles can become mushy quickly.
Remove the zucchini noodles from the heat and toss them with the pesto sauce until they are evenly coated.
Optional: Garnish the zucchini noodles with halved cherry tomatoes and some extra grated Parmesan cheese.

Serve the zucchini noodles with pesto immediately, while they're still warm. This dish is not only light and nutritious but also packed with vibrant flavors. Enjoy!