Light, bright and easy-to-make, these avocado, lemon and dill zoodles are the perfect summer side dish. Whole30-friendly, paleo, vegan, gluten-free and, most important, delicious!
Simple might be my all-time favorite word. Next to serendipity, which I think is just the prettiest and happiest word in the dictionary. Simple means no fuss and no sweat. However, it DOES NOT mean boring. In fact, I think we can all agree that we need more simplicity in our world of crazy Snapchat filters, endless to-do lists and myriad emojis (thank goodness for the new ones though). Why not start with our food?
I’d like to think that I’m a relatively simple person. I don’t need/want a fancy car or expensive clothes. I get excited over a fully stocked fridge, a ripe avocado and when my dog (and now puppy!) greets me at the door. I like quiet, low-key nights. I have zero issues just sitting on the couch and not doing anything.
But in many ways, big and small, there is room for improvement when it comes to simplicity. I don’t need 10 jars of nut butter at once (want, yes. Need, no). I could spend way less on groceries (see above). I catch myself mindlessly scrolling through social media on my phone, while watching TV nonetheless (not proud of this habit). I tend to over think situations and cause unnecessary worry.
Simplicity feels SO good, but it’s no doubt hard to follow through in some cases. Yoga and running outdoors are two times/places/events that really help me find that calmness in life. Oddly enough, another place where I’m starting to feel calm is in the kitchen (the only caveat is when my entire family is in our very small kitchen at the same time. Then I want to scream). I 100% understand if that’s not the case for you, because I got anxious in it for years. Even though it can be overwhelming, I’ve found a style that doesn’t stress me out. I gravitate toward minimal ingredients and preparation.
Truthfully, one of the reasons I was hesitant to start posting recipes on my blog is because most of the things I cook don’t “require” recipes. I just make them up as I go along and feel silly for writing and publishing them. I see tons of other blog recipes that are very simple, and you could argue don’t “need” a recipe, so I figured why not chime in myself. I see so much benefit in sharing ideas and hopefully sparking interest or inspiration for others. That’s the point in the circle of blogging life, right?
To summarize, you don’t need no college degree to make or follow this recipe. It’s just a bunch of flavors put together that taste amazing.
I’m honestly mad at myself for waiting this long to post a zoodle recipe because I eat them at least three times a week in some shape or form (check my WIAW or Instagram for evidence). They are just so versatile and fun…or as fun as vegetables can be. I have two go-to zoodle recipes, this one and an even more simple two ingredient one: sauté the zoodles with lemon and olive oil. Add basil if you’re crazy.
As for this one with avocado sauce, I love pairing it with some baked salmon or chicken. It’s a lighter, summery dish but filled with all the good stuff (healthy fats and greens).
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- 2 large zucchini
- 1 lemon
- 1/4 cup of chopped dill
- 1 avocado
- 2 tsp of olive oil
- Mix avocado, dill, lemon juice and olive oil in a food processor until full blended.
- Wash, peel and spiralize the zucchinis.
- In a large bowl, throughly mix avocado sauce with zoodles.*
- Serve and enjoy.**
- *I used my hands to mix the sauce and zoodles. Whatever works :)
- **You can store in the fridge for later, but I suggest saving the sauce and raw zoodles separately and mixing before eating.
Join the conversation:
How do you add simplicity into your life? How could you improve?
What is your favorite meal that “doesn’t require a recipe”?
PIN FOR LATER:
Other recipes of interest:
Carrot + Sweet Potato Noodles with an Asian Almond Butter Sauce
Spiralized Zucchini and Sweet Potato Fritters
We are cooking soul sisters.I want things simple but fun and flavorful. The only time it gets complicated is if I get a stroke of whimsy and go crazy adding in extras (but they are usually vegetables). But the method is simple!
Susie @ SuzLyfe recently posted…NOW Foods Immersion and EPIC Giveaway!
I’m the same way! Like tonight, I made spinach and zoodles with chicken, lime, peppers and ginger. More flavors than normal LOL
This looks so delicious and I love how you used dill. I feel like that’s a rarely used herb yet it’s so packed with flavor – I want these right now and its 7am!!
Christina @ The Blissful Balance recently posted…Spinach Artichoke Baked Penne
My mom has gotten me hooked on dill! I use it in everything lately.
Simplicity is always what I go for when I cook my own recipes or when I search the internet or cookbooks for a new recipe. I just can’t spend hours cooking a meal or buying a ton of ingredients for one meal. So naturally that is why I am all over these zoodles ;)
Brie @ Lean, Clean, & Brie recently posted…Chocolate Sunflower Seed Butter
Honestly, if something has more than 10 ingredients (even that is pushing it) I don’t typically make it!
Ohhh yummy looking and so simple! I think I need to bust out my spiralizer and try this!
Bri recently posted…Product Review: Magnaphones Wireless Yoga and Running Headphones
So many vegetables to spiralize this time of year! Makes cooking fun :)
Avocados you are just toooooo dang good to us – however, DO NOT EVER STOP! lol!
GiGi Eats recently posted…Beast Mode: The Literal Meaning
Can’t stop, won’t stop!
My Floridian twin is what I always think when I read your posts :) No heels or makeup or expensive gym memberships necessary for me, and I’m all about keeping it simple, both with food, trying to do it with marathon training, and hopefully with other things in my life! I asked my boyfriend the other day how many times he’s seen me in heels and makeup in the nearly 1.5 years we’ve known each other, and he had to think hard and could only come up with one, MAYBE two times.
Alyssa @ renaissancerunnergirl recently posted…Weekly Workouts and Updates 5/30-6/6
In college I “dressed up” so few times that when I did, I got comments from my professors like “you look nice” haha. I just try to focus my energy on different things I guess.
Love love loving zoodles!! My favorite simple recipe that isn’t a recipe is probably my veggie scramble I make every.single.morning. :)
My breakfast hash is also one for me! Breakfast is a good time to have a simple non-recipe recipe :)
Ugh all of my favorite flavors in one dish. You’ve outdone yourself Emily!
Gretchen recently posted…What’s In My Bag
Dill is becoming my favorite spice/flavor! Thanks, Gretchen :)
Gosh darn this looks SO GOOD and perfect for SUMMER TIME!!! Great recipe friend! XOXO
ACKTIVE LIFE recently posted…Chai Cherry Nut Butter Protein Smoothie
Thanks, Katie! :)
Yum! Doesn’t get much better than this for zoodles :)
michele @ paleorunningmomma recently posted…Tart Cherry Lime Homemade Gummy “Candy” {Paleo}
They were a hit in my house!
‘I’d like to think that I’m a relatively simple person. I don’t need/want a fancy car or expensive clothes. I get excited over a fully stocked fridge, a ripe avocado and when my dog (and now puppy!) greets me at the door. I like quiet, low-key nights. I have zero issues just sitting on the couch and not doing anything.’
So I resonated with this so much, and then as I scrolled down and read what you wrote, I kept agreeing so much. I over’think’ the simple. I love the truly simple, and one of the ways I think I could simplify is just going to my favorite blogs, and sitting down, and reading the WHOLE post because I love these bloggers. I don’t need to read a gazillion and one blogs. I just want to connect with one person, in each blog, because people are what matter, not numbers.
And this zoodle recipe? It looks so fresh and crunchy and yummy. Although, it’s probably not crunchy?
Emily recently posted…WIAW: The Girl I Am + A Giveaway!!!
I’m glad you can relate, Em. I feel the same way about blogs/bloggers. Sometimes my Bloglovin’ feed is so packed that I just hit “mark all as read” because I can’t take seeing it so crazy. I think giving focused attention to whatever we are doing is so important.
And you’re right, they aren’t crunchy here because of the creamy sauce :)
I am all about simple but delicious combinations too and this certainly fits the bill! Hello deliciousness!
Kristy @ Southern In Law recently posted…A Letter from Your Token Coeliac
I’m so glad you think so!
P.S. I loved your latest post :)
“Serendipity” is one of my favorite words – and “felicity.” I’m such a word nerd (ooh, a rhyme!).
I agree simple isn’t a bad thing, and I am drawn to simple recipes. This looks like the perfect summer dinner or lunch.
I NEED to get a spiralizer (instead of just a julienne peeler).
Catherine @ foodiecology recently posted…Brunch at Five (Restaurant Review)
Ah I LOVE that word too!
And I highly suggest getting a spiralizer. *Life changing* :)
These look SO fresh and perfect for summer! I never thought about adding dill to my avocado sauce. Genius!
Emilie @ Emilie Eats recently posted…Vegan Sweet Potato Sliders
Thanks, Em! My mom got me hooked on dill and I’ve been adding it to everything.
Simple is best! I haven’t had fresh dill in ages, but you’ve inspired me :) Oh, and I’m totally the same way if there are too many people in the kitchen. It’s nothing personal – I just…. can’t.
Ellen @ My Uncommon Everyday recently posted…Five Friday Favorites 06/03/16
I’ve been on a dill-kick lately!
In your pictures, I can’t even tell that these are “zoodles” instead of noodles! This looks amazing, Emily, and if I get a spiralizer, it’ll be the first thing I make.
Liv @ Healthy Liv recently posted…Tips for Long Roadtrips?
That’s a huge compliment- thanks, Liv! Ah you would LOVE a spiralizer :)
I’ve never tried making my own sauce to add to zoodles but this is such a good idea! And I’m with you.. I’m all about simplicity too. For me running and reading are 2 things that really make me feel calm and I love the “me time” it brings :)
I love the “me time” too! Just a temporary escape from things. It helps me refocus on what matters :)
Always looking for ways to switch up my veggie noodles. This looks so creamy and decadent. Thanks for sharing!
These look so good. I bet that avocado dill sauce would be delicious on anything!
Here in the H, it’s the harvest season for avocado. Hope I can try one at this day. Thanks for sharing! :)
Sue Anne Reyes recently posted…4 Classic Dessert Ideas for Parties
I hope so too! Thanks for reading!
Emily! This recipe looks amazing! SO creamy and delicious! And I completely agree… simple does NOT mean boring!!
Cailee recently posted…Hello Healthy Blueberries!