How to Cook Zucchini Noodles | Homemade Zoodles Guide

Find out how to cook zucchini noodles at home step-by-step. From preparing to cooking zoodles, you’ll learn everything you need to know.

Make and Cook Zucchini Noodles at Home

As a gluten-free and low-carb alternative to traditional pasta, zucchini noodles are affectionately known as “zoodles.” A great source of nutrients and incredibly versatile, zucchini noodles make a tasty and healthy alternative to traditional pasta. If you are health-conscious and like home-cooked zucchini noodles, this blog post is for you.

Ingredients and Tools Needed to Make Zoodles

You’ll need a few essential kitchen tools and fresh ingredients to make zucchini noodles at home. Here are a few things you should gather before starting:

• Spiralizer: A valuable tool for making zoodles. The zucchini cutter could be handheld or countertop. 
• Julienne Peeler: You can use a julienne peeler if you don’t have a spiralizer, but you must put more effort into it. 
• A Cutting Board and Knife: For slicing zucchini

• Zucchini: If you want to make noodles, you should choose fresh, firm zucchini, either medium or long.
• Salt: Salt helps remove moisture from food after cooking, preventing it from being soggy. 
• Olive Oil: Olive oil makes cooked zoodles taste better.
• Toppings and Sauces: Zoodles can be topped with parmesan cheese or marinara sauce according to taste.

How to Make Zucchini Noodles at Home?

Four different ways to prepare zucchini noodles are listed below:

Using a Spiralizer

Zoodles can be easily made with a spiralizer; follow these steps to make zucchini noodles:

1. It is vital to wash zucchini thoroughly and to cut them on both ends so that they are flat enough to be placed on the spiralizer.
2. Different blade options exist on spiralizers; choose the one that makes noodles of the desired thickness.
3.  To make zucchini noodles, run the zucchini through a spiralizer blade. On an electrical model, you can turn it on to spiralize zucchini or turn the handle to use it manually.
4. Place spiralized noodles on a clean cloth or towel paper after they have been spiralized. Using a light sprinkle, you can remove moisture content. Get the dry zoodles after 5 to 10 minutes.

By Julienne Peeler

Using the Julienne Peeler will result in excellent zucchini noodles with more effort. Here’s how to make zoodles with it:

• To peel zucchini easily and have a firm grip, trim both ends.
• Hold the julienne peeler in one hand and the zucchini peeler in the other. The peeler must be dragged alongside the zucchini and pressed to create long, noodle-like strips. 
• To dry the zoodles, place them on a cloth or paper towel and sprinkle salt lightly over them. This step is crucial to prevent soggy zoodles. 

Using a Mandoline Slicer

• Wash and trim it to make it easier to pass through the zucchini.
• Attach the julienne blade firmly to the mandolin slicer to avoid accidents. 
• Slide the zucchini along the blade of the mandoline and hold it securely. You will get thin noodles that look like strips. Sharp blades can injure your fingers if you don’t use a safety guard. 
• Place the zoodles on a clean kitchen cloth, sprinkle some table salt on top, and let them dry for a few minutes.

With a Knife

1. Before proceeding, hydrate the zucchini thoroughly by washing and trimming both ends.
2. Prepare the cutting board by laying out all the zucchini. A sharp knife should cut the zucchini into thin, flat sheets between 1 and 8 inches thick. Focus and steady hands are the keys to getting similar pieces,
3. Using zucchini sheets, you can make noodles similarly to how you make traditional noodles.
4. You can prevent the noodles from getting wet by placing them on a paper towel, sprinkling them with salt, and wiping them with another towel.

How to Cook Zucchini Noodles?

Cooking zoodles can vary depending on your recipe and texture preference. The following methods are some of the most popular ways to cook zoodles. 

1. Sautéing: One of the most popular ways to cook zucchini noodles. Heat it in a pan using butter or olive oil. Zucchini noodles and garlic paste can be used to add aroma. Occasionally stir and cook it for a few minutes until the noodles become crisp. 
2. Microwaving: The quickest way to prepare zucchini noodles. Cook in the microwave for one minute after splashing the bowl with water. Depending on the texture, continue cooking for 30 seconds more if needed. Even though this is the quickest method of cooking zoodles, consider the duration to ensure they do not overcook or become too soft. 
3. Baking: Baking zucchini noodles produces a drier texture by removing excess moisture. Zoodles should be spread in a single layer on a baking tray and baked at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes. If you plan on using zoodles in a dish with a little sauce, this method can be helpful.
4. Boiling: You can also boil zucchini noodles, though it is less common. Add the noodles to boiling water, then cook for 1-2 minutes. Prepare immediately by draining and serving. Zoodles can be quickly cooked by boiling, but their texture can be soft, and they may release more water.