Candida Diet Friendly Zucchini Noodles with Basil Walnut Pesto
Zucchini noodles are one of those dishes that genuinely earns its place in a sugar-free, anti-fungal eating plan — not as a sad substitute, but as something you'll actually crave. The spiralized zucchini gets salted and patted dry before hitting a hot skillet, so you end up with noodles that are tender with a little bite rather than watery and limp. The pesto is built from fresh basil, walnuts, garlic, lemon juice, and good olive oil — every ingredient pulling its weight with no fillers, starches, or sweeteners hiding in the mix. Walnuts bring a rich, earthy depth that makes the sauce feel indulgent even though it's completely on-plan. A quick pulse in the food processor keeps the texture slightly rustic, which clings to the noodles far better than anything too smooth. The whole thing comes together in well under 30 minutes and serves four, making it a reliable weeknight option when you need something fast 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)
- 1 tsp salt
For the pesto
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
- ½ cup walnuts
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ⅓ cup olive oil
For cooking
- 1 tbsp olive oil
For serving
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tbsp fresh basil leaves, torn (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Spiralize the zucchini into noodles using a spiralizer, or draw a vegetable peeler lengthwise along each zucchini to create wide ribbons. Place the noodles in a colander set over the sink, toss with 1 tsp salt, and let stand for 10 minutes to draw out excess moisture. Pat dry with paper towels.
- 2
Combine the basil, walnuts, garlic, lemon juice, 1/2 tsp salt, and black pepper in a food processor. Pulse 8–10 times until the mixture is coarsely chopped. With the motor running, stream in the 1/3 cup olive oil and process until the pesto is smooth but still has some texture, about 30 seconds. Taste and adjust salt if needed.
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