MediterraneanPastaSalad

Here’s a recipe from the new Wheat Belly 10-Day Grain Detox, a dish from day 3 of the 10-day menu plan. Of course, there is no wheat/grain-based pasta here, replaced in this recipe with spiral-cut zucchini. For those of you who miss the flavors of a pasta salad but don’t want the health problems they introduce, here is one delicious way. As with all the recipes in the 10-day menu plan, there is no need to limit calories and you will not feel deprived. (Other dishes on day 3 include Bacon-Toped Meat Loaf With Mushrooms and Gravy and Mashed “Potatoes.”)

You will need one of the low-cost spiral-cutting devices, such as a Spirelli, Spiralizer, or one of the many others now on the market. While you could make do with a knife or mandolin, the spiral cutters are so much easier and quicker to use and generate thinner, more noodle-like slices. If you plan on having these noodles dishes with any regularity, it is well worth the modest investment.

Shorter noodles work best in this dish; spiral-cut the noodles with short strokes to create noodles that are no more than 1 1/2 to 2 inches in length. The flavors in this “pasta” salad are are highlighted by the herbs, so choose fresh herbs whenever possible.

1 pound zucchini, spiral-cut with short strokes
8 ounces cherry tomatoes, halved
1 medium cucumber, quartered and sliced
5-6 green onions, finely sliced
1/2 cup black or kalamata olives, pitted, halved or sliced
8 ounces pepperoni, quartered and sliced
2 tablespoons fresh chopped or 2 teaspoons dried basil
1 tablespoon fresh chopped or 1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 cup white vinegar
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Optional: 1/4 cup grated Parmesan or Romano cheese

In large bowl, combine zucchini noodles, tomatoes, cucumber, onions, olives, pepperoni, basil, oregano, vinegar, olive oil and toss until well mixed. Optionally, top with grated cheese.