Zoodles with Homemade Pesto, BBQ Grilled Tomatoes

Pasta will never be replaced in my life. I love it too much. However, when I'm feeling like I need to be a little healthier, tossing zoodles into the mix is a great way to get that pasta feel.

Conor and I bought a BBQ last weekend so I've been using it very often. Sausages on a BBQ are just so much better than pan fried. Also delicious on the BBQ? Tomatoes! Especially after they've marinated in balsamic vinegar.


Basil/Spinach Pesto

1 cup fresh basil
1 cup baby spinach
1/2 cup heaping freshly grated parmesan
1/2 cup EEVO
1/3 cup pine nuts
3 garlic cloves, chopped
1 tsp lemon juice
s & p

Place basil & spinach leaves and pine nuts in the food processor. Pulse several times. Scrape sides. Add garlic, lemon juice and parmesan.While the food processor is on, slowly drizzle in olive oil. Add salt and pepper to taste. Mix. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.

BBQ Grilled Balsamic Tomatoes

24 cherry tomatoes (1 case)
1/4 cup EEVO
3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon freshly chopped thyme
5 wooden skewers, soaked for 30 minutes
s & p

Whisk together oil, vinegar, garlic, and thyme. Add tomatoes, mix. Let it marinate for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Heat grill to medium.  Remove tomatoes from the marinade and add to skewers. Grill until golden brown and blistering. Remove from grill, brush with more marinade and cover until ready to eat.

Additional Ingredients

Package of Spicy Italian sausage
4 zucchinis
1 tsp EEVO


To put it all together...

Make the pesto as per above. Start the spicy Italian sausages on the grill before the tomatoes. After the sausages have been on the grill for about 20 minutes, add the tomatoes for the last 5-10 minutes. While the sausages are on the grill, create your zoodles. When everything is ready to go, heat up a tsp of olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the zoodles for 2-3 minutes until they're hot. In a bowl, add a scoop of pesto. Add the hot noodles and toss to cover the noodles in pesto. Add more pesto as needed. Add tomatoes and cut up sausage. Voila! Fresh and healthy summer dinner!