Zesty Peanut Zucchini Noodles (Print Version)

Spiralized zucchini with a creamy peanut dressing, crisp veggies, and fresh herbs for a bright, healthy dish.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 4 medium zucchini, spiralized
02 - 1 cup shredded carrots
03 - 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
04 - 2 scallions, thinly sliced
05 - 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
06 - 1/4 cup roasted peanuts, chopped (plus extra for garnish)

→ Peanut Sauce

07 - 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter, natural and unsweetened preferred
08 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari (for gluten-free option)
09 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
10 - 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
11 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
12 - 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
13 - 1 teaspoon sriracha or chili garlic sauce (optional, adjust to taste)
14 - 2 to 4 tablespoons warm water (to thin sauce)

→ Garnish

15 - 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
16 - Lime wedges

# How to Make It:

01 - Combine spiralized zucchini, shredded carrots, red bell pepper, scallions, and chopped cilantro in a large mixing bowl.
02 - In a separate bowl, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, toasted sesame oil, lime juice, sriracha if using, and 2 tablespoons warm water until smooth. Add more water as needed to achieve a pourable consistency.
03 - Pour the peanut sauce over the vegetable mixture and toss thoroughly to coat evenly.
04 - Incorporate chopped peanuts into the salad and toss again to distribute evenly.
05 - Transfer to serving bowls or a platter. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and additional roasted peanuts. Garnish with lime wedges and extra fresh cilantro if desired.
06 - Serve immediately chilled as a refreshing cold salad, or refrigerate for 20 to 30 minutes to enhance flavors.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • No heat required means you can make this when its too hot to cook or when you just want something fast and fresh.
  • The peanut sauce is so good youll want to drizzle it on everything from rice to roasted vegetables.
  • Its endlessly adaptable, you can swap in whatever crunchy vegetables you have on hand and it still works.
02 -
  • Spiralize the zucchini at the last possible moment, they release water as they sit and can make the salad watery if prepped too far in advance.
  • If the peanut sauce seizes up or looks too thick, a splash of warm water and a quick whisk will bring it back to life.
  • Taste the sauce before tossing and adjust the lime, honey, or sriracha to your preference, everyones palate is different.
03 -
  • Use a julienne peeler if you dont have a spiralizer, it takes a little longer but the results are just as good.
  • Toast your sesame seeds in a dry skillet for a minute before sprinkling, it brings out a deeper nutty flavor that elevates the whole dish.
  • If youre sensitive to raw zucchini, blanch the noodles in boiling water for 30 seconds then shock them in ice water, theyll soften slightly but stay crisp.
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