Last Bite

Not your grandma’s pasta

By Audrey Barron Photo by Christina Richey

Vibrant zucchini and aromatic basil are two of my favorite gems from the garden, and this dish combines them beautifully. What appears at first glance to be spaghetti with cream sauce is actually zucchini topped with lemon-garlic sauce and basil.

Using one of my favorite kitchen tools, the spiral vegetable slicer, I turn zucchini into those long, thin ribbons that mimic pasta. The flakes that look like Parmesan cheese are freshly grated macadamia nuts. The sauce—fresh, lemony and dairy-free—can be created in minutes from a few simple ingredients.

These flavors of summer come alive when prepared with gratitude and without the use of heat. Enzymes and nutrients fuel every inch of your body with Earth’s healing energy.

Not only will zucchini provide cholesterol-lowering fiber, the antioxidants and anti-inflammatory qualities impart the joy of well-being. Meanwhile, the antibacterial properties of basil, the green goddess of herbs, inhibit unwanted bacteria in our bodies.

LEMON-GARLIC ZUCCHINI PASTA

By Audrey Barron Makes 2–4 servings

For the lemon-garlic sauce: ¼ cup macadamia nuts ¼ cup olive oil ¼ cup fresh lemon juice 3 small garlic cloves Pinch of salt 2 tablespoons water

For the pasta: 2 large zucchini, peeled and cut in half horizontally 10 cherry tomatoes, quartered 12–15 fresh basil leaves 4 whole macadamia nuts

1. To make the lemon-garlic sauce, add nuts, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic and salt to a blender and process until smooth. Slowly add the water and blend. Set aside. 2. Use a spiral vegetable slicer to create the zucchini noodles. No spiral slicer? Use a simple vegetable peeler on the zucchini instead. 3. Cut your basil into thin strips 4. Pour sauce over zucchini pasta, then sprinkle with tomatoes and basil. 5. Using a microplane or small grater, shave the macadamia nuts over the pasta like you would with Parmesan cheese.

Audrey Barron is an Indianapolis raw food chef and owner of Be Bliss Healing Therapies, providing holistic healing and education. www.beofbliss.com.