I'm amazed at how superior your vanilla is!
– Des, The Grommet
While pasta won’t cure all the world’s woes, it’s reliable comfort food on a rainy, bluesie, day or when you’ve been so busy all you can think of is something easy to make. This recipe’s not all about carbs thanks to the zoodles (zucchini noodles for the uninitiated). But what about the bacon, you might ask? It’s turkey bacon — lean but full of flavor. If you don’t do bacon, no problem. Feel free to use real bacon if you prefer. This dish more than holds its own thanks to the saffron cream sauce!
You likely already have most of the ingredients on hand. Well, maybe not saffron. But here’s a thought. Turkey bacon is cheaper than pancetta so you can splurge on saffron. Its bright color and unique flavor gives depth to the sauce, it keeps indefinitely in a cool, dark cupboard, and is a must in Persian Rice, delicate Saffron Bread, Paella or Arroz con Pollo. The list goes on. Saffron threads can also be made into a soothing, healing tea. Before you purchase saffron however, I highly recommend that you read, The Important Truth About Saffron.
There’s no need to purchase a spiralizer to make zoodles; if you have one, terrific, if you don’t, purchase an inexpensive peeler like the one in the photo above. I’ve used this handy tool for five years and love it.
I’m embarrassed to admit this, but when I made this recipe the first time, I ate it all by myself in two days! It’s that good. And comforting. And fun! However, don’t feel you must include saffron. Substitute some fresh herbs!
Print8 ounces dried spaghetti noodles (I used brown rice noodles)
4 – 5 slices turkey or regular bacon
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
3 medium zucchini (about 1–1/2 pounds) *
1 teaspoon saffron threads, snipped into fine pieces
3/4 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon Rain’s Choice pure Vanilla Extract
1/2 – 3/4 cup good quality Parmesan cheese plus more for serving
Cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain, but save about 1/2 cup of pasta water. Set aside.
While pasta cooks, cook bacon in a cast iron skillet or heavy bottomed skillet. When crisp set aside to cool.
Put saffron into a small cup, add 1/4 cup of the pasta water and allow it to steep.
Add olive oil to skillet and saute zucchini noodles, lifting with a fork or tongs to coat completely. Add cream and increase heat to medium-high. When cream comes to a boil, remove immediately from heat. Add vanilla, saffron water, and then spaghetti and blend with the zucchini using 2 forks. Add the bacon a little at a time and blend Sprinkle all ingredients with Parmesan cheese, and toss the noodles, zoodles and bacon until they are coated with the cheese. Add last of the reserved pasta water until the dish becomes very creamy.
Pour all onto a serving platter (or serve from the skillet) with extra cheese at the table.
Use a spiralizer if you have one. If not, use a specialty peeler to create zoodles out of the zucchini. If you can’t find this tool, use the largest holes of a grater and grate the zucchini. Use all of the zucchini except the center core with seeds to make zoodles.
Keywords: Noodles and Zoodles, Saffron, Creamy Pasta with Zoodles
I was given a small bottle of Rain’s Choice in a gift basket and I have been hooked ever since. The flavor makes all of my baking so much better! I will never use grocery store vanilla again!
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