Vegan courgette noodles with avocado pesto

Vegan courgette noodles with avocado pesto: creamy, fresh and easy, with courgette, avocado, basil, pine nuts, cherry tomatoes, lemon and olive oil.

At a glance

• Serves 2
• Prep time: 15 min
• No cooking needed
• Total time: 15 min
• Calories: 320 kcal per serving
• Protein: 6 g
• Fat: 28 g
• Carbs: 12 g

Ingredients

• 2 cloves of garlic
• A few cherry tomatoes
• 2 to 3 green courgettes
• 1 avocado
• Juice of ½ lemon
• coarse sea salt
• 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 handful of pine nuts or cashews
• 1 bunch of fresh green basil

Method

You’ll need: blender · spiralizer · chopping board · knife

1. Wash the courgettes, cherry tomatoes and basil. Peel the garlic, halve the avocado and scoop out the flesh.
2. Turn the courgettes into courgette noodles with a spiraliser or vegetable peeler. Set aside briefly so they don't release too much water.
3. Put the avocado, basil, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil and pine nuts or cashews in a blender. Season with coarse sea salt and blend until creamy.
4. Toss the avocado pesto with the courgette noodles until everything is evenly coated. Halve the cherry tomatoes and fold them in gently.
5. If the pesto is too thick, loosen it with a little water or some extra lemon juice. Taste and adjust the seasoning again.
6. Divide between bowls and serve straight away. If you like, top with extra basil or a few toasted pine nuts.

Good to know

A plate like this feels light but still well-rounded. Creamy, fresh and on the table in a few simple steps. Exactly right on warm days.

Swaps

Pine nuts/cashews → walnuts (more omega-3 fatty acids, contain minerals) 3 tbsp olive oil → virgin avocado oil (heat-stable, mainly monounsaturated fats) Cherry tomatoes → red pepper (milder for sensitive people, contains vitamin C) ½ lemon → lime (similarly fresh, slightly milder in flavour)

Allergens

Cashews and pine nuts can trigger allergies; garlic, lemon and raw tomatoes can sometimes irritate a sensitive stomach, and during pregnancy the dish is generally unremarkable with fresh, well-washed ingredients. Contains: tree nuts.

Frequently asked questions

What nutrients are in avocado pesto?

Avocado mainly brings monounsaturated fats, folate, potassium and vitamin E. Basil, lemon and olive oil add vitamin K, vitamin C and other plant compounds.

What's the difference between pine nuts and cashews in this recipe?

Pine nuts give a more classic, delicate pesto flavour and contain vitamin E and magnesium, among others. Cashews taste milder and creamier and also bring minerals, but change the profile a little.

Does garlic suit everyone?

Not necessarily. Garlic contains sulphur compounds and FODMAPs, which are interesting for flavour but can cause wind or a feeling of pressure if you have a sensitive gut.

How much lycopene do the cherry tomatoes add to this dish?

Tomatoes contain lycopene, a red plant compound. Raw cherry tomatoes contain it too; how much depends mainly on their variety and ripeness, so riper tomatoes add more.

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