Vegan raw courgette noodles with avocado basil pesto

Vegan raw courgette noodles with avocado basil pesto: fresh courgette with creamy avocado, basil, lemon, garlic and pine nuts or walnuts.

At a glance

• Serves 2
• Prep time: 10 min
• No cooking needed
• Total time: 10 min
• Calories: 340 kcal per serving
• Protein: 5 g
• Fat: 32 g
• Carbs: 12 g

Ingredients

• 1 garlic clove
• 2 medium courgettes
• 1 ripe Hass avocado
• Juice of ½ lemon
• 2 tbsp pine nuts or walnuts
• 1 large bunch of fresh basil
• Sea salt and pepper

Method

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

1. Wash the courgettes and turn them into courgette noodles with a spiralizer or vegetable peeler. Set aside briefly.
2. Halve the avocado, scoop out the flesh and put it in a blender with the basil, garlic, lemon juice and pine nuts or walnuts.
3. Blend everything finely until you have a creamy pesto. Season with sea salt and pepper.
4. Add the avocado basil pesto to the courgette noodles and toss thoroughly until everything is evenly coated.
5. If you like, leave the courgette noodles for a few minutes so the flavours come together. If needed, finish with a little more lemon juice, salt or pepper.
6. Serve straight away, topped with a few basil leaves or chopped nuts if you like.

Good to know

A plate like this feels light yet really well-rounded. Creamy, fresh and full of flavour – no hob needed. On warm days especially, this is my favourite kind of quick cooking.

Swaps

Pine nuts → macadamias (milder flavour, mainly monounsaturated fat) Walnuts → cashews (creamier pesto texture, milder and less bitter) Lemon → lime (fresher, slightly more aromatic acidity) Basil → parsley (more savoury, cheaper and often keeps longer)

Allergens

Contains tree nuts if you use walnuts; pine nuts can also cause reactions. Usually suitable for children, although garlic and lemon can taste intense; in pregnancy, unremarkable with well-washed, fresh ingredients.

Frequently asked questions

What fats are in avocado?

Avocado mainly provides monounsaturated fatty acids, especially oleic acid, plus smaller amounts of saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids.

What do walnuts or pine nuts bring?

Walnuts contain alpha-linolenic acid, magnesium and copper, among others. Pine nuts provide more vitamin E, manganese and magnesium and taste a little milder.

Does raw garlic suit everyone?

Not everyone. Raw garlic contains sulphur compounds that are aromatic but can cause discomfort if you have a sensitive stomach or irritable bowel syndrome.

Which micronutrients does basil really provide?

Basil contains vitamin K, small amounts of vitamin A precursors and polyphenols, among others. As you don't usually eat huge amounts, its contribution is there but more of an extra.

Why does lemon juice go into the pesto?

Lemon juice brings vitamin C and acidity to the dish. The acid also slows down the avocado turning brown a little, even if it doesn't stop it completely.

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