Dishin with Denise… Spiralize Your Spring… with Zucchini Pasta

Denise Gianatasio is a Northport Village resident and freelance writer. 
She is a licensed agent at Signature Premier Properties, 172 Main Street, Northport 631-754-3600. Denise enjoys cooking and sharing her recipes and family stories, as she wants to inspire a warm sense of home with 
her readers. Please feel free to contact her for any advice you may need at  
dishinwithdenise@yahoo.com.

Spring is in the air ~ you can see it everywhere…hopefully this past winter didn’t pile on too many extra pounds. It’s time to lighten up our meals and get more vegetables into our diets. Healthy starts at “Home” in your kitchen. For those of us that love to cook ~ we are lucky ~ we get to choose what’s on the menu. We can use the freshest ingredients that go into our recipes and this is essential to the idea of healthy cooking. I am not sure if you know this? It’s true…I am a pasta lover/addict! 
    For me this is my new pasta replacement…or fix~ that truly satisfies those cravings.
    This spring ease off the carbs and discover pasta reinvented. Here’s a dish you can create using fresh zucchini as pasta ~ you see it’s not so much about avoiding foods you love ~ it’s about discovering new ways to make them healthier. This vegetable pasta is quick, easy and loaded with nutrition. Heated or served raw as salads the possibilities are endless. I love making a sausage meat Bolognese sauce and tossing with yellow and green zucchini with some carrot (for sweetness) until done~slightly aldente, topped with fresh basil, grated cheese, and that glass of wine. Do go and buy yourself a spiralizer, a great kitchen helper. A small investment for such a delicious return.
    A new must have kitchen staple. Easily found at your local Bed Bath and Beyond, William Sonoma, or Amazon.com.
    

    Sautéing the zucchini in a wok with olive oil you get to select your desired doneness. I like mine soft as it fools me into believing its pasta. It has been fun creating new and exciting pasta and noodle recipes with the spiralizer.  Go ahead and refresh your routine, with seasonal fresh
produce. A creative new delicious way to healthy meal
alternatives…that won’t sacrifice an ounce of flavor. 
    Get your fork twirling and yourself spiralizing…    Happy Spring Time xo Dishin’ with Denise

2 Lbs sweet or hot Italian sausage 
    (or combination) decased
2 cans San Marzano tomatoes blended
1 vidalia onion diced
2 cloves minced garlic
½ cup olive oil
Fresh basil~ approx ¾ cup chopped
8 zucchinis (green and yellow~ spiralized
2-3 carrots spiralized
Red pepper flakes
Fresh black pepper and salt to taste

    Sautee onion in olive oil until soft and golden, add red pepper, and garlic, stir for 2-3 minutes (do not brown)
    In separate pan, decase sausage meat, chop up and brown; (takes about 20 minutes) add tomatoes, onions,
garlic and cook for 30 minutes on medium Add zucchini carrots, basil, salt and pepper. Toss until vegetables are soft or desired. Approx (15 minutes) 
    Topping suggestions: Grated cheese, toasted pignoli nuts, toasted Italian breadcrumbs, mozzarella cheese,
petite frozen peas