PUMPED. Yup. That’s the first word I could think of when I tried to think about this recipe. I’m just so pumped for a lot of things, including this classic caprese combination being zoodle-ized (which is totally a word now).
I had a feeling this one was going to be a winner as soon as I made it and…. I was totally right. This simple summery combination of spiraled zucchini, tossed in olive oil and basil, with fresh mozzarella, tomatoes and pepitas (pumpkin seeds) is just so flippin’ satisfying. One of my favorite parts of this recipe is that you can enjoy it raw or cooked. Oh, oh, oh, and you can make it in big batches for leftovers or parties or any veggie feast you can think of. Did I mention I love this recipe? Ok, ok you get it.
Other things I’m pumped about? This summer! As many of you know I moved back home to Nantucket (a small island off the coast of cape cod). This island is very seasonal which means winters are quiet and cozy and the summers are crazy, busy, beautiful, exciting, exhausting.
Growing up here, summers were my opportunity to make bank (how I paid for college) and live at the beach, and run with the sunset as my back drop. But they were a double edge sword. With so much hype there was a lot of expectation. Summer had to be this “perfect thing.” Not to mention, I often deal with seasonal affective disorder in the summer (crazy right?) and have to manage that depression closely. After a while, I started to feel like every summer season on Nantucket blended together. Work took over my life and I was lucky to get to the beach once or twice. That’s when I knew I had to leave for a while.
But I’m back for the first time in 4 seasons and I’m excited to be able to balance a little more beach time, be able to enjoy some of the bars (you know, now that I’m an adult and such), meet new people and have my high school friends come back. Even though I said this before every season I just have such a good feeling about this one.
I know these caprese zoodles will absolutely be a summer stable especially when I can make them with Bartlett Farm fresh summer tomatoes, zucchini and basil.
[Tweet “This Caprese Zoodles recipe screams summer”]
Caprese Zoodles
- 1/2 Cup of Basil, finely chopped
- 1/4 Cup of Olive Oil
- 3 Zucchinis, spiralized
- 1 Cup of Mozzarella, chopped into “1/2 chunks
- 1/2 Cup of Pepitas
- 1 Cup of Cherry Tomatoes, halved
- Salt to taste
- Using a spiralizer, spiralize 3 zucchinis and place into a large bowl
- Add chopped basil, tomatoes, pepitas and mozzarella and toss with 1/4 cup of olive oil
- Season with salt to taste
- Serve in 4 bowls
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Your Turn:
- What’s something you’re looking forward to this summer?
- What’s your favorite summer produce?
I’m looking forward to visiting Boston for 3 weeks for a dance intensive soooo we should totally meet up because I’m thinking about going to Nantucket for one of the weekends! 🙂 My favorite summer produce is and always will be strawberries!
Heck. Yes. That would be so awesome Marina – let me know if you need a place to crash <3
Love this take on caprese salad, it just reminds me of summer! We always make caprese salad for family cookouts and BBQ’s so I know my whole family would adore this!
Thanks Rachel – it’d be perfect for parties <3
SO ready for warmer temperatures and not walking around town in my parka…It is April right? I am just looking forward to opening the windows and doors and enjoying that ocean breeze along with a hundred other things, that I love about this island during the warmer months. 🙂
Totally – May-October is total bliss over here and makes the chilly grey days all worth it
Isn’t this the best combo?! I love making this with spaghetti squash, too. Gorgeous photos my friend! <3
Oo that’s totally genius. Thanks girly!
Nantucket sounds beautiful in the summer…almost as beautiful as this salad. I’m a sucker for caprese AND zoodles, so there’s no way this can’t be good.
Haha it really is – mind you it’s also insanely crowded and slightly crazy but still a lot of fun
Caprese truly does have some of the most wonderful flavor combinations. This looks delicious and perfect for a BBQ I’m hosting next week. I can’t wait for summer tomatoes to come into season…SO GOOD!
Totally! This is the perfect veggie pot luck dish
Looking lovely and delicious! I’m so jealous of your upcoming Nantucket summer. We used to spend August with my grandparents down the Cape (in Brewster) and visited my great uncle in Sconset several times, I always really enjoyed the island!
No way! It’s certainly a special place and I’m so lucky to be here even if it’s just for one more season
ahhh i’d love to see Nantucket in the summer! seems so beautiful! love this take of a Caprese salad in pasta – definitely something my boyfriend would love. His go to side dish is alwayss a Caprese salad haha
Come visit!!!! Caprese is such a yummy combo – the more veggies the merrier
This looks great! I really need to get myself a spiralizer! Can’t wait for Summer, this will be my first whole summer since about 2012/2013! Can’t wait to eat fresh fruit, and spend heaps of time mountain biking, hiking and camping!
No way! Same here. Mmm summer fruit is seriously the best!
Yummy, these look so good! I would love to get a Zoodler some time. 🙂
I put if off for so long but it was definitely worth it. Veggie noodles are so tasty and versatile
This looks so refreshing! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Sam!