Vegan Pumpkin Seed Pesto Zucchini Noodles (Printer-Friendly)

Spiralized zucchini meets creamy pumpkin seed pesto for a quick plant-based meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pumpkin Seed Pesto

01 - 1 cup raw pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
02 - 2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
03 - 2 cloves garlic
04 - 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
05 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
06 - 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
07 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
08 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
09 - 2 to 4 tablespoons water, as needed

→ Zucchini Noodles

10 - 4 medium zucchini, spiralized
11 - 1 tablespoon olive oil, optional for sautéing
12 - 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved, optional for garnish
13 - Fresh basil leaves for garnish

# Method:

01 - In a food processor, combine pumpkin seeds, basil, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, nutritional yeast, salt, and pepper. Pulse until a thick coarse paste forms. Add water one tablespoon at a time to achieve creamy consistency. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
02 - Using a spiralizer or julienne peeler, create noodle-like strands from the zucchini.
03 - For raw noodles, pat the zucchini noodles dry with paper towels and transfer to a large bowl. For warm noodles, heat one tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, add zucchini noodles, and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until warmed through and slightly tender.
04 - Toss the zucchini noodles with the pumpkin seed pesto until evenly coated.
05 - Transfer to serving plates and garnish immediately with cherry tomatoes and fresh basil leaves if desired.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Plant-Based & Dairy-Free: A perfect choice for vegans or those avoiding dairy without sacrificing flavor.
  • Quick & Easy: Requires no actual cooking unless you prefer your noodles warm, making it ideal for busy weekdays.
  • Nutrient-Dense: Packed with healthy fats from pumpkin seeds and olive oil, along with vitamins from fresh zucchini and basil.
02 -
  • Manage Moisture: Zucchini contains a lot of water; salting the noodles and letting them sit for 5 minutes before patting dry can help remove excess liquid.
  • Adjust Consistency: Use the reserved water in the pesto step carefully to reach your preferred thickness without making it too runny.
  • Nutritional Yeast: This ingredient provides the "cheesy" flavor in the dairy-free pesto, so don't skip it if you want that traditional savory kick.
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