Zucchini Noodles with Shrimp and Goat Cheese

I confess that I might be one of those people who buys gadgets. The kind that really only have one use and seem like a waste of space and money. I’m not a total sucker for gadgets, but I do have my share. The pumpkin cheesecake pan, pasta roller and ravioli mold, and waffle maker all have their place in my kitchen – no more than a handful of times per year. One gadget I never got into at all, however, was the zester/stripper. I think this is supposed to be used for citrus zest, but either it’s a total bust or I just don’t get it because I’ve never had much success in that arena. And once I became the owner of a microplane, I’ve never had any reason to turn back. Until now. I finally found the perfect use for this gadget, and that is making zucchini noodles.

How does one make zucchini noodles? It’s actually quite simple. Just take your (washed) zucchini and run the stripper (or is it the zester?) along it to create long skinny strips. Continue until you see seeds, then turn the zucchini and start on the next side. Go all the way around cutting your zucchini noodles until you’re left with the middle part of the squash containing the seeds. You can just discard that. Pretty quickly, you’ve got a big pile of zucchini noodles!

These noodles are a great meal for those watching their carbs or simply trying to eat more veggies. They have a mild flavor and nice texture that will work well in many typical pasta dishes. I will say it, and you better repeat it: There is nothing wrong with a meal without a starch!

Zucchini Noodles with Shrimp and Goat Cheese
1 tsp olive oil
1/2 of a small onion, thinly sliced
1 clove minced garlic
1/2 lb raw shrimp, thawed, peeled, deveined
freshly ground salt & pepper
1/2 cup diced tomatoes
pinch of crushed red pepper
2 tsp chopped fresh basil
7 oz grated zucchini (yield from 1 medium zucchini and one summer squash)
1 oz goat cheese

Heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onions and saute for about 5 minutes, until softened. Add the shrimp and garlic. Cook the shrimp for about 1 minute on each side, until just opaque. Remove the shrimp from the pan. Add the tomatoes, crushed red pepper, and basil. Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer and cook for about 5 minutes. Add the zucchini and saute over medium heat until slightly softened, about 3 minutes, then add the shrimp and heat through, about 1-2 minutes more. Serve with crumbled goat cheese.

Nutritional Info
Servings Per Recipe: 1
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 432.2
Total Fat: 14.6 g
Cholesterol: 353.0 mg
Sodium: 627.3 mg
Total Carbs: 20.1 g
Dietary Fiber: 5.5 g
Protein: 54.1 g

PS: the 7oz of raw zucchini used here is only 32 calories. If you removed that and had a 2oz serving of pasta instead, you’re talking about 200 calories and a whole lotta carbs. Just sayin’!
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51 Responses to “Zucchini Noodles with Shrimp and Goat Cheese”

  1. 1

    Kerstin — June 16, 2009 @ 3:09 am Reply

    What a cool idea! Perfect for a light summer meal – love it!

  2. 2

    Hennergy Hand & Foot Spa — June 16, 2009 @ 2:16 pm Reply

    What a great idea my husband is on Atkins and I'm always looking for low carb meals that we'd both enjoy.

  3. 3

    Elly — June 17, 2009 @ 1:01 am Reply

    This looks really great! I've made zucchini ribbons before but never used them as a sub for pasta. I'll have to give it a try – anything is good with goat cheese as we both know. πŸ™‚

  4. 4

    Liza — June 17, 2009 @ 2:04 am Reply

    sounds awesome! what a great idea.

  5. 5

    Jennifer — June 17, 2009 @ 2:51 am Reply

    I LOVE this idea!!! I am going to try! thanks!

  6. 6

    Dr. Davon Jacobson, MD — June 17, 2009 @ 4:33 pm Reply

    This is really a well laid out website. I love how your posts tie in with the food and drink theme so well. You seem to really love your site. I myself love to read up on recipes along side helping others in health. Keep up the great work here and please visit by my blog sometime. The url is http://healthy-nutrition-facts.blogspot.com

  7. 7

    foodcreate — June 17, 2009 @ 11:11 pm Reply

    Mouthwatering recipe! Thanks for sharing your recipe:)And if you can visit me I can visit you:)Welcome~~~http://foodcreate.com

  8. 8

    katskitchen — June 18, 2009 @ 2:13 pm Reply

    zucchini noodles, great idea for a healthy summer dish. I've got some of those gadgets that are used maybe a time or two each year, but I guess that's what makes being in the kitchen fun!

  9. 9

    Dawn — July 19, 2009 @ 3:40 am Reply

    I made this tonight and it was delicious! I will definitely make it again. I used my zester too, but after a while I switched to a cheese grater and it worked fine (although the zester made them look cooler!) I love your blog. Thanks for all of the healthy and yummy recipes!!

  10. 10

    Lisa — July 20, 2009 @ 3:49 am Reply

    Wow! I just made this and it was absolutely Deeeeeeeeeelish. Thank you so much. I'm on South Beach Phase 1 right now and it was just what I needed!

  11. 11

    Jeremy — September 14, 2009 @ 9:58 am Reply

    Can I seriously come over for lunch soon? …… your recipe sounds so yummy…..

  12. 12

    legend_018 — October 23, 2009 @ 1:13 pm Reply

    I have some shrimp leftover in the freezor and bought some goat cheese yesterday. was looking for something to make and came across this. im hoping to make this tonight. ill let you know how it goes. im a newbie, but just created my own food blog and will hopefully put this up there if all turns out well with a link to your recipe and a big thank you…http://maryskitchenadventures.blogspot.com/

  13. 13

    legend_018 — October 24, 2009 @ 12:33 am Reply

    it was a big hit. posted on my site. seehttp://maryskitchenadventures.blogspot.com/2009/10/zucchini-noodles-with-shrimp-and-goat.html

  14. 14

    legend_018 — January 16, 2010 @ 3:50 pm Reply

    Hi. I was just curious. If I wanted to make sure I had enough for 6 people, would I be safe doubling the recipe, or should I make even more than that?

  15. 15

    Cara — January 16, 2010 @ 4:11 pm Reply

    This post has been removed by the author.

  16. 16

    Cara — January 16, 2010 @ 4:12 pm Reply

    Legend, I guess I am a piggy, because I ate this recipe (quantities as written here) entirely on my own! For me it was perfect because I like to keep my dinners around 500 calories or less, and with ample protein. Perhaps 1/2 lb shrimp per person sounds like a lot, but remember, the zucchini noodles are not as filling (nor as caloric!) as a seving of pasta. Still, most people aren't necessarily trying to eat as much protein as me (I shoot for at least 125gm/day) so you probably don't really need 1/2 lb shrimp per person. I would probably multiply the remaining ingredients by 6, however.

  17. 17

    What's the scoop? — April 27, 2010 @ 11:12 am Reply

    Hey! I just found your blog and am LOVING it πŸ™‚ I have a question..Where did you get the zucchini spiral machine …haha for lack of better words! I also love all of your recipes! πŸ™‚ I will be trying some of them and adding you to my blogroll! πŸ™‚

  18. 18

    Cara — April 27, 2010 @ 11:26 am Reply

    Hey scoop, thanks for the kind words! I actually just use a zester, which I got at Crate & Barrel, but I see my link above is broken now, oops! It looks like this: http://tinyurl.com/27srty2and I'm sure you can get it at any kitchen goods store πŸ™‚

  19. 19

    Cara — March 28, 2011 @ 8:40 pm Reply

    Hey scoop, thanks for the kind words! I actually just use a zester, which I got at Crate & Barrel, but I see my link above is broken now, oops! It looks like this: http://tinyurl.com/27srty2and I'm sure you can get it at any kitchen goods store πŸ™‚

  20. 20

    Cara — March 28, 2011 @ 8:40 pm Reply

    Hey scoop, thanks for the kind words! I actually just use a zester, which I got at Crate & Barrel, but I see my link above is broken now, oops! It looks like this: http://tinyurl.com/27srty2and I'm sure you can get it at any kitchen goods store πŸ™‚

  21. 21

    What's the scoop? — March 28, 2011 @ 8:40 pm Reply

    Hey! I just found your blog and am LOVING it πŸ™‚ I have a question..Where did you get the zucchini spiral machine …haha for lack of better words! I also love all of your recipes! πŸ™‚ I will be trying some of them and adding you to my blogroll! πŸ™‚

  22. 22

    Cara — March 28, 2011 @ 8:40 pm Reply

    Legend, I guess I am a piggy, because I ate this recipe (quantities as written here) entirely on my own! For me it was perfect because I like to keep my dinners around 500 calories or less, and with ample protein. Perhaps 1/2 lb shrimp per person sounds like a lot, but remember, the zucchini noodles are not as filling (nor as caloric!) as a seving of pasta. Still, most people aren't necessarily trying to eat as much protein as me (I shoot for at least 125gm/day) so you probably don't really need 1/2 lb shrimp per person. I would probably multiply the remaining ingredients by 6, however.

  23. 23

    legend_018 — March 28, 2011 @ 8:40 pm Reply

    Hi. I was just curious. If I wanted to make sure I had enough for 6 people, would I be safe doubling the recipe, or should I make even more than that?

  24. 24

    legend_018 — March 28, 2011 @ 8:40 pm Reply

    it was a big hit. posted on my site. seehttp://maryskitchenadventures.blogspot.com/2009/10/zucchini-noodles-with-shrimp-and-goat.html

  25. 25

    legend_018 — March 28, 2011 @ 8:40 pm Reply

    I have some shrimp leftover in the freezor and bought some goat cheese yesterday. was looking for something to make and came across this. im hoping to make this tonight. ill let you know how it goes. im a newbie, but just created my own food blog and will hopefully put this up there if all turns out well with a link to your recipe and a big thank you…http://maryskitchenadventures.blogspot.com/

  26. 26

    Jeremy — March 28, 2011 @ 8:40 pm Reply

    Can I seriously come over for lunch soon? …… your recipe sounds so yummy…..

  27. 27

    Lisa — March 28, 2011 @ 8:40 pm Reply

    Wow! I just made this and it was absolutely Deeeeeeeeeelish. Thank you so much. I'm on South Beach Phase 1 right now and it was just what I needed!

  28. 28

    Lisa — March 28, 2011 @ 8:40 pm Reply

    Wow! I just made this and it was absolutely Deeeeeeeeeelish. Thank you so much. I'm on South Beach Phase 1 right now and it was just what I needed!

  29. 29

    Dawn — March 28, 2011 @ 8:40 pm Reply

    I made this tonight and it was delicious! I will definitely make it again. I used my zester too, but after a while I switched to a cheese grater and it worked fine (although the zester made them look cooler!) I love your blog. Thanks for all of the healthy and yummy recipes!!

  30. 30

    katskitchen — March 28, 2011 @ 8:40 pm Reply

    zucchini noodles, great idea for a healthy summer dish. I've got some of those gadgets that are used maybe a time or two each year, but I guess that's what makes being in the kitchen fun!

  31. 31

    katskitchen — March 28, 2011 @ 8:40 pm Reply

    zucchini noodles, great idea for a healthy summer dish. I've got some of those gadgets that are used maybe a time or two each year, but I guess that's what makes being in the kitchen fun!

  32. 32

    Jennifer — March 28, 2011 @ 8:40 pm Reply

    I LOVE this idea!!! I am going to try! thanks!

  33. 33

    Liza — March 28, 2011 @ 8:40 pm Reply

    sounds awesome! what a great idea.

  34. 34

    Elly — March 28, 2011 @ 8:40 pm Reply

    This looks really great! I've made zucchini ribbons before but never used them as a sub for pasta. I'll have to give it a try – anything is good with goat cheese as we both know. πŸ™‚

  35. 35

    Hennergy Hand & Foot Spa — March 28, 2011 @ 8:40 pm Reply

    What a great idea my husband is on Atkins and I'm always looking for low carb meals that we'd both enjoy.

  36. 36

    Hennergy Hand & Foot Spa — March 28, 2011 @ 8:40 pm Reply

    What a great idea my husband is on Atkins and I'm always looking for low carb meals that we'd both enjoy.

  37. 37

    Kerstin — March 28, 2011 @ 8:40 pm Reply

    What a cool idea! Perfect for a light summer meal – love it!

  38. 38

    foodcreate — March 28, 2011 @ 8:49 pm Reply

    Mouthwatering recipe! Thanks for sharing your recipe:)And if you can visit me I can visit you:)Welcome~~~http://foodcreate.com

  39. 39

    Dr. Davon Jacobson, MD — March 28, 2011 @ 8:49 pm Reply

    This is really a well laid out website. I love how your posts tie in with the food and drink theme so well. You seem to really love your site. I myself love to read up on recipes along side helping others in health. Keep up the great work here and please visit by my blog sometime. The url is http://healthy-nutrition-facts.blogspot.com

  40. 40

    Cara — March 29, 2011 @ 2:07 am Reply

    Hey scoop, thanks for the kind words! I actually just use a zester, which I got at Crate & Barrel, but I see my link above is broken now, oops! It looks like this: http://tinyurl.com/27srty2and I'm sure you can get it at any kitchen goods store πŸ™‚

  41. 41

    legend_018 — March 29, 2011 @ 2:07 am Reply

    I have some shrimp leftover in the freezor and bought some goat cheese yesterday. was looking for something to make and came across this. im hoping to make this tonight. ill let you know how it goes. im a newbie, but just created my own food blog and will hopefully put this up there if all turns out well with a link to your recipe and a big thank you…http://maryskitchenadventures.blogspot.com/

  42. 42

    katskitchen — March 29, 2011 @ 2:07 am Reply

    zucchini noodles, great idea for a healthy summer dish. I've got some of those gadgets that are used maybe a time or two each year, but I guess that's what makes being in the kitchen fun!

  43. 43

    Dr. Davon Jacobson, MD — March 29, 2011 @ 2:07 am Reply

    This is really a well laid out website. I love how your posts tie in with the food and drink theme so well. You seem to really love your site. I myself love to read up on recipes along side helping others in health. Keep up the great work here and please visit by my blog sometime. The url is http://healthy-nutrition-facts.blogspot.com

  44. 44

    Liza — March 29, 2011 @ 2:07 am Reply

    sounds awesome! what a great idea.

  45. 45

    Hennergy Hand & Foot Spa — March 29, 2011 @ 2:07 am Reply

    What a great idea my husband is on Atkins and I'm always looking for low carb meals that we'd both enjoy.

  46. 46

    Liza — April 5, 2011 @ 1:24 am Reply

    sounds awesome! what a great idea.

  47. 47

    katskitchen — April 5, 2011 @ 1:24 am Reply

    zucchini noodles, great idea for a healthy summer dish. I've got some of those gadgets that are used maybe a time or two each year, but I guess that's what makes being in the kitchen fun!

  48. 48

    Dr. Davon Jacobson, MD — April 5, 2011 @ 1:24 am Reply

    This is really a well laid out website. I love how your posts tie in with the food and drink theme so well. You seem to really love your site. I myself love to read up on recipes along side helping others in health. Keep up the great work here and please visit by my blog sometime. The url is http://healthy-nutrition-facts.blogspot.com

  49. 49

    Cara — April 5, 2011 @ 1:25 am Reply

    Hey scoop, thanks for the kind words! I actually just use a zester, which I got at Crate & Barrel, but I see my link above is broken now, oops! It looks like this: http://tinyurl.com/27srty2and I'm sure you can get it at any kitchen goods store πŸ™‚

  50. 50

    Dawn — April 5, 2011 @ 1:25 am Reply

    I made this tonight and it was delicious! I will definitely make it again. I used my zester too, but after a while I switched to a cheese grater and it worked fine (although the zester made them look cooler!) I love your blog. Thanks for all of the healthy and yummy recipes!!

  51. 51

    legend_018 — April 5, 2011 @ 1:25 am Reply

    it was a big hit. posted on my site. seehttp://maryskitchenadventures.blogspot.com/2009/10/zucchini-noodles-with-shrimp-and-goat.html

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