There are a lot of great things about Eating for Energy: how raw foods make you feel, how they boost your immune system, how they make you look.  Another thing I love about raw foods, though, is simply how gorgeous they are. A plate of vibrant colors is just so much more enticing than a plate of beige. Think about it: pasta, mashed potatoes, bread, chicken, milk… They’re all so boring looking!

I’m a new contributor to the Eating for Energy blog, and one of my goals—in addition to sharing my health journey—is to celebrate the beauty and flavor of fresh, raw fruits and vegetables with you.

On that note, here’s one of my favorite summer recipes:

Zucchini Pasta with Cilantro Pesto & Pineapple Salsa

This dish, made with angel hair noodles of raw zucchini, is infused with cilantro flavor. It’s light, tangy, and perfect for a hot day! I use a Saladacco vegetable spiralizer to make the noodles, but don’t worry if you don’t have one. A vegetable peeler works, too, though you’ll have more linguine style noodles.

For two servings you’ll need:

1 medium zucchini

For the Cilantro Pesto:
1 c. cilantro
2 Tbsp olive oil (or flax or hemp oil)
2 Tbsp pumpkin seeds (or pine nuts)
1 Tbsp lime juice
pinch of salt & pepper

For the Pineapple Salsa:
1/4 c. diced pineapple
1/4 c. diced red bell pepper
1/4 tsp spice—either minced jalapeno or chili powder
1/2 tsp agave nectar
1 tsp lime juice

Blend the pesto ingredients in a food processor or blender. Combine the salsa ingredients in a bowl.

Note, these amounts aren’t set in stone. If you don’t feel like measuring, don’t! If you really like lime juice, add more. If you really like spicy foods, crank up the heat with a little more jalapeno. It’s hard to mess up with these delicious ingredients.

Toss the noodles with the pesto and top with salsa. Garnish with lime or mint, if you wish.

Enjoy your food.

If you’re like me, and you’re always on the go—off to a yoga class, to the pool, to meet friends, whatever—take the time once in a while to actually sit down and eat a meal. Chew your food. Taste it. It’s pretty glorious, really.

When is the last time you remember sitting down and truly delighting in the food you were eating? What were you eating? Who were you with?

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