PCOS Friendly Basil-Pesto Zucchini Noodle Salad
Bright, herby, and loaded with fresh vegetables, this zucchini noodle salad is the kind of dish that feels indulgent while actually working hard for your hormones. Spiralized zucchini stands in for pasta, keeping refined carbohydrates out of the picture — a meaningful swap for anyone managing blood sugar and insulin sensitivity. The homemade pesto is built on extra-virgin olive oil, fresh basil, parsley, and lemon, delivering anti-inflammatory fats and real flavor without any processed shortcuts. Kalamata olives and crisp cucumber round out the bowl with satisfying texture and a briny, Mediterranean punch. Salting the zucchini and pressing out the moisture before tossing is the small but crucial step that keeps everything from turning watery, so the pesto clings beautifully to every strand. It comes together in one bowl with minimal cooking, making it an easy go-to when you want something nourishing that doesn't feel like a compromise.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the zucchini noodles
- 4 medium zucchini (about 2 lb total)
- ¾ tsp fine sea salt, divided
For the pesto
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves, loosely packed
- ¼ cup fresh parsley leaves
- 2 cloves garlic, peeled
- 3 tbsp lemon juice (from about 1 large lemon)
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- ¼ tsp fine sea salt
For the salad
- ½ cup pitted kalamata olives, halved
- 1 cup thinly sliced english cucumber
For serving
- 2 tbsp fresh basil leaves, torn, for serving (optional)
- 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Spiralize the zucchini into long noodles using a spiralizer, or cut into thin ribbons with a julienne peeler. Place the noodles in a colander set over the sink, toss with 1/2 tsp of the sea salt, and let stand for 10 minutes until the zucchini releases some of its moisture.
- 2
While the zucchini drains, combine the basil leaves, parsley, garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, and 1/4 tsp sea salt in a food processor or blender. Pulse 6–8 times until the herbs are roughly chopped.
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