Dill-Zucchini Pasta with Cannellini Beans, Hearts of Palm and Feta

Dill-Zucchini Pasta with Cannellini Beans, Hearts of Palm and Feta

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Organic Choice for SocialSpark....

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Organic Choice for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Dill-Zucchini Pasta with Cannellini Beans, Hearts of Palm and Feta

Apartment living, ain’t it grand?

Excuse me while I stare out the window of my 30th-floor apartment and day dream about having a sprawling garden with fresh herbs, vegetables and my own little pesky leaf-wrecking pests.

The grass is always greener on the other side, isn’t it?

Growing up, I always had a special love for plants. Why? Well, my father owns a residential landscaping company. When he would pick me up in his red pick up truck from school, he’d sometimes have to “stop by” one of his “properties.”

Dill-Zucchini Pasta with Cannellini Beans, Hearts of Palm and Feta

I’d sit in the truck, my clothes quickly absorbing the smells of whatever my father had picked up from the nursery (landscape yard with plants, flowers, etc) and gasoline for his mowers.

As I’d glance out the window, I’d look at what my dad designed: a gorgeous, well-coordinated arrangement of shrubs, hedges, flowers, plants and of course, a green lawn.

However, when I was that age, I didn’t appreciate that sort of thing. I was embarrassed that I was being picked up to school in a pickup truck, I didn’t want to “stop” by any “properties,” because I wanted to rush home get on AIM (remember AIM?) and talk to my boyfriend. I hated that my clothes were getting dirty and I’d smell like mulch until I showered.

Normal bratty, unappreciative teenage stuff.

Dill-Zucchini Pasta with Cannellini Beans, Hearts of Palm and Feta

But now, in my ripe old age of 26 (soon to be 27!), I realize that my father was extremely hard working, creative and had the gift of a green thumb.

I’d like to say that I got my father’s work ethic and ingenuity and my mother’s sensibility and level-headedness.

While my grandfather keeps a garden with basil, tomatoes, zucchinis and other fresh herbs and veggies, my father never bothered. But, my father never cooked. He’s a grill master, but not a chef. My mother was the cook (as was my grandfather).

Dill-Zucchini Pasta with Cannellini Beans, Hearts of Palm and Feta

Long story short, I’ve always wanted to have my own garden. While I don’t have a backyard in my apartment, I do have big windows and a window-sill and apparently, that’s all you need, according to Miracle-Gro Organic Choice.

Take this recipe, for example. Without the dill, this zucchini pasta would be mild and uneventful. Instead, it’s fresh, rejuvenating and very flavorful. The dill is the type of herb I’d love to grow myself, among others.

Dill-Zucchini Pasta with Cannellini Beans, Hearts of Palm and Feta

What others? If I had it my way, I’d grow basil and parsley year-round. This spring and summer, I plan on growing my own vegetables and herbs, with the help of Miracle-Gro Organic Choice line of plant soil. Need I say…. zucchinis?

I love this organic line of sustainable products from Miracle-Gro. Check out more information on their mission here.

Scott's Organics

Now, here are some planting tips from my green thumbin’ father:

1. Since your planting pot is small and there won’t be much soil, you don’t need to water it every day. To check if you need water, just stick your finger into the soil. If it’s moist, it doesn’t need to be watered. If it’s dry, it needs to be watered. Check every other day. Most likely, it will only need to be watered every 3 days.

2. Use a fertilizer. The roots are going to suck up the nutrients in the soil quickly, because they don’t have much to absorb. Unlike being rooted in the ground, the roots can’t expand far. Therefore, it’s important to provide the plant with as many nutrients as possible. That’s where Miracle-Gro Organic Choice will come in.

3. Place a saucer underneath the terra cotta plant, leave about a half inch from the top for when pouring in the water and keep it as close to the light source as possible (the window).

Thanks, Dad.

Are you going to be planting anything this summer? Do you have a garden?

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Organic Choice for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Dill-Zucchini Pasta with Cannellini Beans, Hearts of Palm and Feta

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Servings 1

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 small garlic clove thinly sliced
  • 1-2 medium zucchinis Blade C
  • 1 tbsp chopped dill or more
  • 1.5 tbsp lemon juice fresh
  • 1/2 cup cannellini beans
  • 1 heart of palm from a can of hearts of palm chopped into 1/4" slices
  • pepper to taste
  • 2 tbsp crumbled feta

Instructions

  • Place a large skillet over medium heat. Add in the olive oil and then the garlic. Cook for 30 seconds and then add in the zucchini pasta, dill, lemon juice, beans and hearts of palm. Season with pepper and cook, tossing frequently, for about 3 minutes or until zucchini noodles reach your preference of doneness.
  • Plate into a bowl, top with feta and enjoy!

Dill-Zucchini Pasta with Cannellini Beans, Hearts of Palm and Feta

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with love, Ali

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comments

  • Great post! I live in an apartment too (only the third floor, lol) and just planted my first herb garden in pots-basil, oregano, rosemary, and cilantro. I haven't been using fertilizer and I probably need to!! We do have a little more space.. I think I might plant some veggies. I'll have to do research about what does well in the Texas heat!
    • This motivated me to pick basil, cilantro and parsley! Thank you - we'll have to share our experiences. :)
  • my parents have a big garden and stuff which i didnt care while i was living with them..and now i am desperate for mini patio garden..funny how things change.
  • I grew up on a farm where i was used to having a huge garden. Now i live in a house w/a minimal sized yard & only have a small ten foot raised bed garden. I plant my herbs in separate pots. I use compost & use organic practices. As much as i miss having the farm's big garden i should feel lucky compared to those who dont have a yard to plant any. So much in life is taken for granted. My grandma always taught me to give away the best & largest produce i grew which should be good karma for a larger, more productive harvest the following year.
  • Always on the hunt for delicious gluten free recipes. This is making my mouth water!
  • Yes! We can commiserate about our indoor apartment gardens and share war stories! It will be great. I am so excited for summer veggies...but especially zucchini and tons of herbs! This pasta sounds awesome. I love dill and feta paired together.
  • Hi Ali, I want to prepare one of these fab zucchini salads for a large group (50) How would you store the inspiralized zucchini overnight? Would you prepare and or just spirialize and dress before the party?
    • You can store this one overnight, since it doesn't have a heavy sauce. I would try to dress right before the party, if possible - always.
  • My friend sent me a picture of this dish after she made it and I bought the Spiralizer immediately. Wow! I had no idea it was going to taste so good (fresh dill!) and that I would feel awesome afterward! I'm excited to learn more!
  • I made this dish last night after going to the Williams and Sonoma technique class..we subbed Basil for dill because there was not any fresh at the store...SO yummy!! I added some lemon chicken also to make it a main dish...awesome recipe!