Meatless Monday – Raw Zucchini Pasta with Garlic and Tomatoes

Hello and welcome (back) to the blog and thank you for joining us for another Meatless Monday.  Miratel Solutions took the Meatless Monday pledge as part of our CSR business initiatives in support of reducing meat consumption by 15% to improve personal health and the health of the planet. You can learn more about the positive impact of giving up meat just one day per week at www.meatlessmonday.com. Now let’s get uncooking.

For tonight’s dinner we are going with a raw vegan entrée that capitalizes on the sweetness of seasonal produce. A raw – or live food – vegan diet essentially consists of uncooked plant-based food which makes it even better for the summer months. Although food can be heated, the temperature cannot exceed 118f so that the natural, nourishing enzymes of the food are preserved. Just a tip – slicing the zucchini on a mandaline will make this much easier but you can cut it by hand as well.

Meatless Monday Raw Zucchini Pasta with Garlic and Tomatoes image courtesy of evilchefmom.com

Ingredients
8 ounces cherry tomatoes, cut in half
1 clove garlic, thinly sliced
1/4 whole raw pine nuts
2 tablespoons torn fresh basil, plus leaves for garnish
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
1 zucchini, thinly sliced lengthwise, slices cut into 1/4 inch long strips
Himalayan salt and free cracked pepper to taste
1 teaspoon lemon zest
Squeeze lemon juice (go light and add to taste)

Directions
In a bowl, combine tomatoes, garlic, pine nuts, basil and oil. Season with salt and pepper. Let stand for 20 minutes. Toss with zucchini, lemon juice and zest and let sit for 10 minutes. Garnish with basil.

This recipe for zucchini pasta with garlic and tomatoes will yield two portions but can be adjusted for more portions as leftovers are perfect for lunch the next day and no microwave required.

I know the raw food diet may sound like an extreme choice to make but you don’t have to be 100% raw to enjoy the benefits of the diet. Being cognizant of your raw vegetable/fruit intake and increasing it any percentage will be beneficial to your overall health. The summer months is the perfect time to sneak in a raw day or two each week as produce is truly at its peak. Close your eyes and savour the raw, juicy goodness of Mother Earth’s banquet.

If you haven’t already, we encourage you to visit meatlessmonday.com and join us in taking the pledge today. Spread the word at home and at work to promote CSR business initiatives and make your green call centre, office, factory, shop or salon even greener.

Give raw a chance – enjoy!

Our thanks to Evil Chef Mom for this recipe and beautiful photo.

Please be sociable and share!

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