Yellow Squash with Ricotta Salata and Grilled Tomatoes + OXO Giveaway

Yellow Squash with Ricotta Salata and Grilled Tomatoes

We’ve got a lot of handy information in this post, so I’m going to get...

Yellow Squash with Ricotta Salata and Grilled Tomatoes + OXO Giveaway

We’ve got a lot of handy information in this post, so I’m going to get straight to the point.

When I first started off with Inspiralized, there was somewhat of an elephant in the room. I was blogging away, posting recipes using the spiralizer and some people would comment: I could just do this with a julienne slicer or a peeler.

So, I responded with this post: other ways to make zucchini pasta while you wait for your spiralizer.

Eek, disregard the unpainted nails and dim lighting.

Basically, I wanted to show that, yea, you can make veggie noodles using a peeler, a mandolin, a julienne, or even a knife – BUT, you won’t get those adorable, long pretty spirals like you do with the spiralizer. Plus, using a mandolin/peeler/etc is just downright time consuming.

Having said all this, I know that some of you who are reading this say “wow, that looks yum, but I’m not ready to invest $40 in something I’m not sure I’ll use or love.”

My response to that hesitancy:

A. You will use it.
B. You will not only love it, you will be obsessed with it.
C. Well then, let’s check out other ways you can make veggie noodles without the financial commitment.

Yellow Squash with Ricotta Salata and Grilled Tomatoes + OXO Giveaway

Before we get to that, let’s talk about the recipe. I mean, you couldn’t get more summery if you tried – yellow summer squash, ricotta salata (finely shaved), garlic, basil and grilled tomatoes. Literally, I could eat fourteen bowls of this. It’s just fresh, flavorful and easy to make.

I’m really rocking the vegetarian-friendly recipes this week… maybe it’s because I knew I had to slow cook a 3.5 pound pork shoulder on Tuesday. Yea, that’s probably why.

The recipe explains how to use a grill pan or an actual grill to make the tomatoes, but if you don’t have either, just slice them in half, sear them on a skillet (still marinate them!) and cook for 2-3 minutes per side or until they’re cooked. No need to use the skewer in that case, obviously… unless you want to, be my guest (no soaking required there.)

Yellow Squash with Ricotta Salata and Grilled Tomatoes + OXO Giveaway

And yes, you can spiralize yellow squash – they’re just like zucchini, a summer squash. The taste is sliiiiightly different and obviously, the colors are different and the outer skin of a yellow squash is a bit tougher than zucchini. I find yellow squash slightly sweeter than zucchini, but once it’s seasoned up, they both have the same texture and cook the same, it’s apples to apples. The only other major difference is that I don’t recommend eating yellow squash raw – it’s too nutty!

Okay, now for our topic of the day….

Vegetable Noodles Without the Spiralizer (eek!)

The two best alternative ways to turn vegetables into noodles is using a julienne slicer or small handheld julienne peeler (picture below left and right, respectively).

OXO and Inspiralized

OXO Julienne Slicer

Click here to order via Amazon for $14.99

This julienne slicer is the best I’ve found yet. It’s got a great grip system, it’s not bulky and can store virtually anywhere in your kitchen. It actually has a plastic top that you can adhere to the vegetable that you’re julienning for even better traction. It’s definitely the most efficient way to get vegetable noodles – and the safest.

Yellow Squash with Ricotta Salata and Grilled Tomatoes + OXO Giveaway

OXO Julienne Peeler

Click here to order via Amazon for $14.99 or just get the julienne peeler for $9.99 by clicking here. I recommend you get the colorful set – I have their peelers and use them on tough vegetables and they’re very durable.

This julienne peeler is already my go-to when I make matchstick carrots or mangos for salads and sandwiches. It’s reliable and sturdy. However, it’s obnoxious to use to make vegetable noodles, because it’s tough to grip the vegetable and use the small peeler at the same time. While not as efficient as the julienne slicer, this kitchen gadget is perfect for making small batches of noodles.

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Nutritional Information & Recipe

Inspiralized

Yellow Squash with Ricotta Salata and Grilled Tomatoes

Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 2

Ingredients

  • 2 bamboo skewers
  • 1 dozen cherry tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 garlic cloves finely minced
  • 1 large garlic clove minced
  • 1 pinch red pepper flakes
  • 2 yellow squashes julienned or spiralized (Blade C)
  • 1.5 tablespoons chopped basil
  • 1 oz shaved ricotta salata

Instructions

  • Soak 2 bamboo skewers in water for 30 minutes (if using a grill.)
  • While skewers are soaking, place the tomatoes in a bowl with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil, balsamic and garlic and season with salt and pepper. Let marinade for 10 minutes.
  • While tomatoes are marinating, spiralize or julienne your squashes. Set aside.
  • Once skewers are finished soaking (if applicable), place 6 marinated tomatoes on each skewer.
  • If using a grill:
  • Heat up a grill to medium/high heat. Grill tomatoes for 3-4 minutes or until they are cooked. Set aside on a plate, covered with tinfoil.
  • If using a grill pan or skillet:
  • Place a large grill pan or skillet over medium heat. Once the pan is heated, add on the skewers. Cook for 2 minutes, flip over and cook another 2-3 minutes or until tomatoes are cooked. Set aside on a plate, covered with tinfoil.
  • Once the tomatoes are cooked, place a large skillet over medium heat and add in the other tablespoon of olive oil. Once the oil heats, add in the garlic, red pepper flakes and cook for 30 seconds or until fragrant. Add in the squash noodles and basil and toss for 2-3 minutes or until al dente.
  • Divide the squash noodles into two bowls and top each with a tomato skewer and the ricotta salata. Top with freshly cracked pepper.
with love, Ali

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Recipe Rating




comments

  • My favorite is zucchini squash. I love to substitute it for pasta in all my favorite dishes. You are right Ali once you get the spiralizer you become obsessed with it. I use mine all the time and love it.
  • Zucchini is my favorite to spiralize as well....can't get enough!
  • Beetroot is my fav veggie to noodle. Best way to eat the healthy beet.
  • Zucchini!
  • I've got to stick with the tried and true zucchini! I love using them for paleo fideo, paleo spaghetti...you get the idea. This recipe sounds AMAZING, btw! I love yellow squash. ^_^
  • Apples!
  • So far my favorite is zucchini squash. Just got the spiralizer as a birthday gift and can't believe how quickly I got hooked! It's super easy to use and really makes delicious and beautiful dishes! I'm officially addicted! This blog is awesome by the way! Check it daily now for recipes!
  • My favorite spiralized vegetable is zucchini. With some sauteed mushrooms, peppers, garlic and onion, topped by tomato sauce, absolutely delicious. I don't miss pasta at all since we have been spiralizing zucchini.
  • Planted container zucchini....just for the spiralizer. Will have the first ones in a few days!
  • Zucchini hands down!
  • I love to spiralize zucchini.
  • They're all terrific, but my favorite is onions! I roast them in the oven. Sometimes I top them with marinara sauce. Yum!
  • Zucchini
  • Zucchini for sure! If you peel them first they actually look like noodles.
  • There are yellow school bus YELLOW zucchinis I just got at Whole Foods. Amazing color and look great as noodles. The spiralizer is definitely the answer to making noodles. I use mine every day. I've had other brands than the one that Ali recommends, and they didn't work. It is so much easier that it is worth the investment. And I hate gadgets on the counter, but the spiralizer lives there in pride.
  • This looks delicious! Thank you for sharing with all of us :)
  • Oh I have gotten hooked on spiral zucchini and beets.
  • Zucchini is by far my favorite veggie to turn into "pasta" style noodles! We also like carrot noodles in soup.
  • I just bought my spiralizer and I have tried Zucchini, Cucumber, and Cabbage. The easiest was Zucchini and it was delicious with my spaghetti sauce! So my favorite so far....ZUCC!!!
  • Zucchini is my favorite, but I'm trying cukes for lunch today.
  • zucchini is the best, and then i like cucumber for greek salads!
  • Looks yummy! Just found this site! Can't wait to try some of the recipes!
  • Butternut squash!
  • this looks so good!! I love grilled tomatoes!
  • I've just started spiralizing so haven't experimented much. My favorite right now is zucchini.
  • Tie between zucchini and cucumber.
  • Butternut squash is my favorite right now. Yummy and so options for creating recipes.
  • Love zucchini noodles!
  • Favorites are sweet potatoes and zucchini, have the other shredders but LOVE my spiralizer, quick and easy to use and clean. It's always my go-to for noodles.
  • So far my fave veggie to spiralize is zucchini. It's so easy to do, and it always amazes me that my 9 and 12 year old boys fight over who gets to eat the core!
  • zucchini is my favorite! but, i need to try some more!
  • Zucchini is my favorite, but I've enjoyed everything else I've spiralized too (beets, turnips, celeriac, butternut squash and kohlrabi so far).
  • I do love zucchini noodles. They go perfectly with regular noodles when added to the pot in the last minute or two of cooking.
  • My favorite is Jicama. Love it spiralized in salads. It's crunchy sweet goodness!
  • carrots!
  • I used a julienne peeler before I got my spiralizer, and it worked ok, but I felt like since the noodles were thinner that they cooked too quickly and turned to mush. Also, like you said, gripping the veg while peeling it is kinda hard! Why make it hard when cranking the spiralizer is SO fun?! :) My fav is sweet potato noodles, sauteed with garlic, salt, and pepper. DELISH.
  • My favorites are zucchini and carrots!
  • Zucchini is the best!
  • I was initially on the zucchini bandwagon as the best... and I still love them... but I've been into sweet potato lately and I just can't stop!
  • Sounds like a great summer recipe! Ill definitely try this weekend.
  • sweet potato and Zoodles of Zoodles
  • I dream of beet noodles with goat cheese and basil.. slight;y warmed with a hit of pepper and lemon..
  • I bought the Paderno and use it 3_5 times a week, love it, your recipe ideas also
  • thanks for the tips and recipes.
  • Zucchini is my favorite!
  • It's a tie between carrots and zucchini!
  • My favorite is carrots or potatoes.
  • I am a true convert to the spiralizer- thanks to you! I love your recipes! I'd love to try the slicer but I don't think it would ever take the place of my spiralizer!!
  • Mmmm - zucchini noodles! My daughter eats low-carb, and I'm cutting all wheat out of my diet, so this prize would be great for us! Right now, I cut "noodles" by hand with a knife. I used to use a veggie peeler, but used it so often to make wide noodles that i broke it. So I'm back to using a knife ... Thanks for the chance to win!
  • Zucchini for sure, but I have loved butternut squash and beets as well.
  • zucchini!
  • Definitely zucchini!
  • squash
  • Sweet potatoes!
  • In the summer, it is zucchini or yellow squash, but in the winter, it is sweet potatoes.
  • Guess it would have to be zucchini! I am just getting started using this method. I plan to try a lot of ways! Makes me feel like I am doing well to eat so many veggies....... pretend pasta or not!
  • I could live on zucchini
  • I am so happy to have found your blog! I am obsessed with zucchini noodles. I am a hard core pasta addict so I was pretty hesitant to replace pasta with veggie noodles but I will admit, I was pleasantly surprised (both with taste and texture). The zucchini noodles absorb so much flavor and cook in no time. Just re-upped my zucchini stock for the weekend! Can't wait to try more of your recipes.
  • I like to spiralize zucchini the most! :) I tried the other day to salt them, rinse them and then put them in the fridge (like I saw instructions for on one of the paleo blogs) in an attempt to make them al dente. It was a massive FAIL. They just shriveled up and got limp. Boo!
  • I've got my cooking camp kids obsessed with the idea of vegetable noodles! :-D
  • Zucchini or yellow squash.
  • I love my spiralizer! Added leftover sweet potato noodles and kalamata olives to this. Great recipe.