Vegan Zucchini Spaghetti (Zoodles) Salad with Rosemary Tomato Sauce: Easy 5 Minute Meal

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Mood: Type. Clack. Type. I’m working away. It’s been hours since breakfast & I’ve hardly looked up from my screen. All of a sudden, I hear a familiar growl. Yep, it’s the food oompa loompas getting restless in my tummy. “Hey lady, we’re hungry. Are you feeding us or not?” I look up at the clock. Lunch time has come & gone. I stand up to stretch & then out of nowhere, the full intensity of the hunger wave hits me, HARD. I rush to the kitchen, absolutely famished. I’m craving something healthy yet wholesome, & I want it NOW. I open the fridge door & peer in expectantly. Alas! I’m running low on groceries & I have to settle for a handful of humble vegetables. I hear the clock ticking away. A restless appetite + a looming work deadline = Activate Ninja Cooking Mode. I glance around the kitchen for ways to speed up the cooking process. The trusty Spiralizer on the counter catches my eye & then suddenly, my gaze darts to the friendly neighbourhood Microwave. Could I? Should I? Yes, I should! 5 minutes later, I’m in food paradise:) Does this situation sound all too familiar to you? Been there? Done that? Yes? Then, this recipe is definitely for you:) This bowl of Vegan Zucchini Spaghetti (Zoodles) Salad, with Rosemary Tomato Sauce, is not only insanely scrumptious, but it’s also surprisingly filling. Seriously, I was actually stuffed by the end of the meal & I was all set for hours to come. This dish has now become my go-to recipe, whenever I’m craving a light & filling quick fix meal:) Fresh. Simple. Healthy. Wholesome. Delicious:) Happy Eating:)

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PS: My wonderful parents got me these gorgeous Coconut Bowls (the one in the blog photo) for my birthday & I’m in love with them:) Strong, sustainable, beautiful:)

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Time: 5 Minutes
Serving Size: 1 person 
Category: Salad; Main Course
Author: Animagus Eats

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Ingredients:
Salad
• 1 Zucchini (medium)
• 1/3 cup Tomatoes (halved/quartered)
• 2-3 Garlic Cloves (chopped)
• 1/2 tbsp Plant Based Oil (optional)*
• 1/2 tsp Fresh Rosemary (chopped)*
• Seasoning – 1/4 tsp Pepper, 1/4 tsp Chilli Flakes, 1 tsp Dried Oregano/Herb Mix, 1/4 – 1/2 tsp Salt (to taste)

Garnish
• Nut-Free Crunchy Vegan Parmesan Cheese (optional)

Equipment
• Spiralizer*

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Method:
1. Add the tomatoes, garlic cloves, rosemary, seasonings and oil to a wide microwave-safe dish. Using a spoon (or your hands), mix the ingredients together & make sure the tomatoes are completely coated with all the delicious spices and herbs:) Place the dish in the microwave & cook it on HIGH Cook Mode for 3 1/2 Minutes. If you prefer not to use the microwave, you can also sauté the tomato sauce mixture on the stovetop:)

2. While your Tomato Sauce is cooking away, it’s time to make some Zoodles:) Spiralize the Zucchini using a spiralizer & set the Zoodles aside for later. I usually leave them raw/fresh, so that they are firm & have a nice bite to them:)

3. When the microwave timer goes off, take the dish out of the microwave & using a fork, smash the tomatoes & mix them well with the other ingredients & the delicious pan juices. Do a taste test & adjust the seasoning based on your preferences:) Your chunky Rosemary Tomato Sauce is done:)

Assembling the Salad
4. Add the Zucchini Spaghetti to a bowl & scoop up the Rosemary Tomato Sauce on top of the Zoodles. Remember to only add the sauce & assemble the salad when you are ready to eat/serve. The Zoodles can get quite soggy & will release water, if they sit in the sauce for too long:)

5. Garnish the Salad with fresh greens and/or a sprinkle of Nut-Free Crunchy Vegan Parmesan Cheese. And voila! Your Vegan Zucchini Spaghetti (Zoodles) Salad, with Rosemary Tomato Sauce, is ready to be served:) Bon Appétit:)

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Notes:
*I used Olive Oil & it really gave a nice flavour to the Rosemary Tomato Sauce. You can also skip the oil & use 1/2 tbsp vegetable broth/water instead, if you prefer oil-free cooking:) I have only tested the recipe with Olive Oil, but if you decide to make it oil-free, please let me know how it turns out:)
*In case you don’t have/like Rosemary, you can also use another fresh herb for the Sauce, such as Oregano, Basil, Sage, etc:)
*Never used a spiralizer before? Watch these quick tutorials about how to use table top & hand-held spiralizers. You should definitely get one, in case you don’t have one already! It’s a great way to replace carbs with fresh vegetables:) It’s also quite therapeutic & spiralizing is great workout for your arms;)