Courgetti – Three Ways

At this time of year courgettes are everywhere. If you are lucky enough to have a veg patch, you are probably swimming in them. If you’re neighbours with someone with a veg patch, you’re also probably swimming in them. And they’re also super cheap in the supermarket.

Courgetti is basically spiralised or shredded courgette that can be used in place of pasta. This makes for a lighter lunch, especially if you are looking to cut down on carbs, and it increases your veg intake. You can also mix with spaghetti to give you a half-and-half veg/pasta mix which is quite tasty.

Courgettes take on the flavour of what’s around them, so it’s important to make that tasty. Here are three quick options that you can use for lunch. 

First spiralise two good sized courgettes, then choose how you want to transform them into a delicious lunch for two.

CHILLI, LEMON, RICOTTA AND MINT 

½ red chilli, thinly sliced

50g soft ricotta

Good quality olive oil

½ small pack mint, leaves picked

Zest and juice of lemon

Salt and pepper

• Toss the courgetti in a bowl with the chilli, olive oil, lemon juice, 3/4 of the mint, some salt and pepper.
• Put onto a plate and garnish with the lemon zest, reserved mint and small dollops of the ricotta.
• Enjoy!

PESTO (VEGAN)

Bunch basil

4 generous handfuls spinach

1 tbsp lemon juice

1 tbsp pine nuts

1 clove garlic

3 tbsp olive oil

2 tbsp nutritional yeast flakes

12 chopped cherry tomatoes

2 tbsp walnuts, chopped

• Whizz up the basil, spinach, lemon juice, pine nuts, garlic and olive oil in a blender. 
• Transfer to a bowl and add nutritional yeast and walnuts. 
• Add the courgetti and tomatoes and mix well. 
• Transfer to a pan and heat through, season to taste.
• Enjoy!

CARBONARA

1 clove of garlic, diced

4 slices bacon

4 eggs (depends on hunger)

2 tbsp grated parmesan

• In a frying pan, slowly cook bacon on both sides until crispy, remove and set aside. 
• Add garlic to pan and let it brown slightly on low. Add the courgetti too the pan with the bacon fat and garlic. Cook on medium/high until browned. 
• Add parmesan, stirring frequently to incorporate. 
• Meanwhile, poach the eggs in a separate pan. 
• Crumble bacon and stir into noodles. 
• Add poached eggs on top and serve.
• Enjoy!