Pan Seared Cod with Zoodles

After a week of indulging in tacos, guacamole, chips, cocktails and dessert - I decided that my hubby and I needed to eat a healthy, nutritious meal at home.  I determined that the best way to launch us back into a healthy diet was to replace our usual pasta dinner with zoodles.  Yup, you read that right - zoodles.  Otherwise known as spiral sliced zucchini noodles.  😳

Before you judge me - I'm not the only zoodle maker apparently.  Did you know that you can buy spiral sliced zucchini from the grocery store?  Maybe I'm just late to the zoodle game but I found it in the freezer section at Wal Mart.  The bag of zoodles was right next to the frozen spiral sliced squash (soodles?, squoodles?), so I picked up a bag of each.  

My twenty-two year old child gave the best response when I announced that I was preparing a dinner was consisting of fish and zoodles for her dad and I. She immediately launched into a series of questions starting with "Why would you do that" and ending with "Can I call dad and warn him before he gets home?"  🤣  

I have to say that I was a little surprised that the man that I've been cooking dinner for, for the last 28 years didn't even bat an eye when he walked into the house after a long day of work and spotted a bowl of Zoodles sitting on the table.  Experts say that we choose spouses that are opposites in many ways.  Well, I certainly married my polar opposite.  My hubby is super easy going and let's just say I'm ... not. 😅 

He was actually super enthusiastic about tasting this new, healthy, pasta substitute.  (Or a really good actor.)  🤣 And as fate would have it - he actually liked it.   And I'm pretty sure that he wasn't just saying it to make me feel better either, because his bowl was completely empty at the end of the meal.  😳 I feel like his opinion of the zoodles is far more credible than mine because I like all things vegetable.  

Pan Seared Cod with Zoodles
2 cod filets
2 garlic clove, minced
2 Tablespoons olive oil
salt and pepper
1 shallot, chopped
zucchini and squash zoodles (I bough them in the freezer section)
2 teaspoons lemon zest
1/4 cup fresh basil
2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Heat 1 T. oil and 1 clove garlic in skillet.  

Season fish with salt and pepper. 

Sear fish in hot pan on both sides. 

Transfer fish to 400 oven in skillet until cooked through.  (3-6 minutes)

Transfer fish to plates.  Heat 2 T. oil in skillet.  Add 1 garlic clove and shallots. 

Add zoodles and cook until softened.  (about 4 minutes)

Toss with fresh basil, lemon juice and zest.  Season with salt and pepper.

Divide among 2 plates or bowls and top with fish. 

My goal for 2021 is to get my whole family (22 year old included) on the zoodles bandwagon. You just cant deny the fact that when tossed in the light lemon basil sauce, they're the perfect compliment to any fish. 

​Ciao!

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