Spicy Zoodles with Blackened Shrimp

Our Spicy Zoodles with Blackened Shrimp recipe is a healthy, spicy and savory meal that can be made in under an hour. A bold and flavorful dish made with spicy zoodles, sweet tomato sauce and blackened shrimp that is a simple to prepare low carb substitute for baked spaghetti. One taste will prove that healthy food can be delicious!

Our spicy zoodles with blackened shrimp recipe will light your taste buds on fire. The spiralized zoodles provide a healthy, low carb base to the dish, while the spicy sauce and blackened shrimp provide a low fat protein and complex flavor. The spice inherent in this dish combined with the sweetness of the sauce will convince you that low carb zoodles are a terrific substitute for traditional pasta. If you are sensitive to gluten, you can easily make this dish gluten free.

Garden Fresh Produce with Spiced Caribbean Shrimp

This recipe substitutes zoodles for traditional pasta thereby significantly lowering the carb count. The dish is light and extremely flavorful. The layering of fresh vegetables with the spicy Caribbean peppers and blackened shrimp contrasts beautifully with the sweetness of the tomato sauce. Spiralized zucchini can be the foundation of a delicious and healthy dinner. We often prepare this recipe using zucchini and tomatoes from our backyard garden and locally grown organic spinach. Using the freshest ingredients transforms this recipe into something that is truly special.

What are Zoodles and do they taste good?

Zoodles are zucchini or yellow summer squash that have been spiralized to look like spaghetti. Modifying the squash in this manner allows you to be creative and serve them in a multitude of ways that would not work otherwise, such as a substitute for spaghetti or pasta. Substituting them for pasta will substantially reduce the carbs in the meal and also allow those who are gluten sensitive to enjoy a meal similar to traditional spaghetti.

Spiralized zucchini can be delicious if made properly and expectations are reasonable. Can you substitute them in traditional spaghetti and meatballs? Yes you can, but if you are expecting the substitution to be equivalent to a plate of fresh spaghetti, you will be disappointed.

Many will use spiralized squash as a straight substitute for spaghetti and are happy with the result. As pasta lovers, we are not in that camp and can only enjoy zoodles when the recipe is designed for them. There are also those who despise them. They likely have tried this substitution and wound up with a pan full of watery sauce with no flavor. If you are in that camp, this recipe, if given a chance, may alter your opinion.

When making spiralized squash it is important to know that they will release water. It is therefore imperative to dewater the squash and start with a thick sauce. We also prefer a bold sauce to create a ying and yang effect between the sweetness of the zucchini and the spiciness of the sauce. Sauces that we have found work well are cajun, fra diavolo and Caribbean inspired. We favor baking the dish as well, akin to baked spaghetti. This technique melds the flavor of the sauce into the spaghetti substitute, thereby improving their flavor and texture. This recipe is one of our favorites.

How do I make zoodles, or where can I buy them?

Most produce sections of supermarkets now sell spiralized zucchini that have been prepared and packed in 1-2 portion sized packages. Using these will cost a bit more but you are buying convenience as they will save you the preparation time in the kitchen .

To make them at home, you will need to purchase a spiralizer. You then will use a small to medium sized zucchini or yellow squash and turn the squash into the top of the spiralizer. The spiralizer’s blade will cut your zucchini into long, spaghetti-like strands. Electric version of spiralizers also exist.

Where did zoodles originate?

Spiralized vegetables have gained popularity as a prevalent garnish in many restaurants. With the growing emphasis on healthy eating and the rise of gluten allergies, these vegetable garnishes have evolved into mainstream alternatives to carb-laden pasta. They provide a viable option for individuals who cannot tolerate gluten or are seeking lower-calorie alternatives. Although the exact origin of spiralized vegetables is unknown, their increasing prevalence can be attributed to the pursuit of healthier dietary choices and overall well-being.

Are zoodles healthy?

Eating colorful vegetables is a good way to improve your diet as they are loaded with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Zucchini which falls into this category is filled with nutrients and antioxidants, may promote healthy digestion and may help lower blood sugar levels. Another advantage is if you are substituting zoodles for pasta you are lowering your carb intake. Yes, they are healthy!

Can I make zoodles ahead of time?

You can definitely make them ahead of time and keep in the refrigerator. Store in a storage container lined with paper towels. This allows the excess moisture to be eliminated. Another option is buying pre made from your supermarket.

What is blackened shrimp?

The technique for blackening shrimp is fairly simple. Coat the shrimp with a blackening seasoning and then cook in an extremely hot pan. The hot pan quickly turns the seasoning black, while not overcooking the shrimp. Seasonings that can be used to blacken shrimp include Caribbean seasonings, creole seasonings or plain old “blackening” powder. They are all good. Some will be spicier than others.

Blackening your food is a terrific way to get a ton of flavor very quickly into a dish. Its basic ingredients are an array of dried chili peppers and a variety of herbs and spices. Every brand will make the seasoning slightly different. If you are aiming for a gluten free dish, be sure to check the ingredients to be certain they satisfy your needs.

Where did Blackened seasonings originate?

We couldn’t find anything definitive, but blackening food is extremely popular in Americas southeast, particularly Louisiana and Cajun cuisine. It is also very common in the Caribbean.

Is blackened shrimp spicy?

Blackening spices include dried chili peppers, herbs and an assortment of seasonings. The spice will be quite bold. As to how hot, it will depend on the recipe and the type of peppers used.

When visiting Nine Mile in Asheville, the server gave us the option to select the heat of the dish on a scale of 1-10. I love food with heat and let her pick what she thought I could handle based upon my description of what I have eaten in the past. She nailed the spice level as the spice level was not too bad at first but by the time I finished I had a few drops of sweat on my forehead. When I asked what level I had eaten, she replied 5. Wow, Jamaican love their food HOT.

How do you blacken shrimp?

Another option is to use a griddle on the outdoor grill. Again, the griddle must be extremely hot and the process should only take a few seconds. Another trick is not to add too many shrimp at the same time. Doing so will lower the temperature of the pan affecting the result.

Is blackened shrimp healthy?

Shrimp are a low carb and nutritious source of protein for your diet. Blackening the shrimp can be a healthy way to prepare shrimp. Use a pan that doesn’t require a lot of oil and if salt is a concern, you should be aware that blackening rubs usually contain a healthy dose of salt.

Blackened shrimp with pasta

This is an extremely common manner of serving this dish. The restaurant version is usually loaded with heavy cream in the sauce that is poured over the shrimp and pasta. Our recipe substitutes spiralized zucchini for the pasta and a delicious spicy tomato sauce with spinach and chili peppers in place of heavy cream. The result is a dish that is low carb, high protein and loaded with flavor. All of that and a fraction of the calories.

How do I make this zoodles with blackened shrimp recipe?

The first step is to spiralize the zucchini. If you purchase from the supermarket, this step would be skipped and you will save some time. Salt them to sweat out some of the excess water. While they are dewatering, make the sauce. Sauté onion and garlic in a saucepan. Once onions are translucent, add the tomatoes and seasonings. In a separate pan prepare the spinach. Add garlic and chili peppers to the pan and sauté. Add spinach and cook until softened. When cool, squeeze out the excess water.

Dry off the spiralized zucchini to remove excess water and salt. In a pan add the zoodles, spinach, chili peppers and tomato sauce. Combine with cheese. Place in a 350F oven.

While this is baking, blacken the shrimp. Coat the shrimp with blackening seasoning and heat a wok or cast iron skillet to a high temperature. Once hot add the shrimp. The shrimp should blacken in 15-30 seconds. Flip and blacken the other side then remove. You can also consider mixing the shrimp with chicken and blackening them both.

After 15 minutes, remove the pan from the oven and place the shrimp and remaining mozzerella on top. Place back in oven uncovered for another 15 minutes. Serve immediately.

This recipe can also be enjoyed anytime of the year with fantastic results. While this dish may be too spicy for some, you can always adjust the level of spice to your liking or simply replace the chili peppers with sweet or a less fiery variety. You can also adjust the quantity of cheese to fit your dietary needs.

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