Cilantro Pesto Zoodles with Shrimp contains a pesto made of avocado, cilantro and sunflower seeds topped with shrimp. A great way to cut on carbs without losing on taste!

Cilantro Pesto Zoodles with shrimp is such a simple and tasty dish. Quite a “hit” from last summer, not yet out of the spectrum of trends… so let’s make good use of it! I’m looking for ways to cut on carbs these days, and zoodles are a great way to imitate a plate of pasta without all the empty calories! Don’t worry if you don’t own a special zoodle machine. Use the cheese grater!

Pesto Zoodles with Shrimp

I’ve made the zoodles ultra creamy with the help of an avocado-based pesto and given them a fresh touch of cilantro. If you are one of those “soap” tasting people, substitute it with some basil. Plus, since the carbs are low, the avocado will help satisfy and unctuous the dish.

What is Pesto?

Pesto Zoodles with Shrimp

I did not know if I could call this sauce a “pesto,” so I checked my good friend Wikipedia and got my answer. Pesto is technically a paste made by pounding, in other words, done in a mortar. Nowadays most make their pesto with a blender. So, I’ve used it for this “modern pesto.” The idea came from another Zoodle recipe I made last year, which was dreamy creamy.

This time I wanted to use different ingredients yet still similar to Genovese pesto. I’ve changed the basil for cilantro, the pine nuts for sunflower seeds, and the garlic for a fresh green pepper. I wanted to use shrimp with the Zoodles to add proteins, so I thought this “sweet pesto” would fit with a spiced shrimp.

Many Types of Paprika

Pesto Zoodles with Shrimp

There are many types of paprikas in Spain: smoked, spicy, bittersweet and sweet. Each is made with different peppers and methods, which gives them their attributes. You’ll find the sweet type on most supermarket shelves.

For this recipe, I wanted some of that “spicy” paprika for the shrimp to complement the sweet, creamy pesto underneath. If you have sweet paprika, add a sprinkle of Espelette pepper or cayenne powder. We wouldn’t want to make this a “too sweet” dish and miss that lovely dynamic duo that is spicy and sweet!

Other Zoodle Ideas

So let’s make zoodles!

Cilantro Pesto Zoodles with Shrimps

5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 4 people
Calories 358
Cilantro Pesto Zoodles with Shrimp contains a pesto made of avocado, cilantro and sunflower seeds topped with shrimp. A great way to cut on carbs without losing on taste!

Ingredients

  • 6 zucchinis
  • 200 g frozen shrimps
  • 1 garlic clove
  • 1 tbsp vodka (*optional)
  • 1 tsp spicy paprika
  • salt and pepper

Cilantro Pesto

  • 1 avocado
  • 2 handful cilantro leaves
  • 50 g sunflower seeds
  • 1/4 green bell pepper
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 lime (juice)
  • salt and pepper

Instructions 

  • Start by making the zoodles with the zucchinis, using a mandoline or spiralizer, and add them to a sieve with a sprinkle of salt.
  • In a blender, blend all the ingredients for the cilantro pesto and reserve.
  • In a small pan, on medium-high heat, cook the shrimp with the vodka, garlic, paprika and salt and let them cook until the liquid is out (2-3 minutes).
  • Rinse the pan and cook, medium-high heat, the zoodles in a bit of olive oil for 1 minute, just enough to warm them up.
  • Add the pesto to the zoodles and mix.
  • Serve the shrimp on top of the zoodles with a lime wedge.
Author: Marie Breton
Calories: 358kcal
Course: Plato principal
Cuisine: Other
Keyword: gluten free, low carb, no cilantro, pesto, shrimps, zoodles

Nutrition

Calories: 358kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 15g | Trans Fat: 0.003g | Cholesterol: 81mg | Sodium: 90mg | Potassium: 1279mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 1088IU | Vitamin C: 69mg | Calcium: 105mg | Iron: 3mg
Nutrition Facts
Cilantro Pesto Zoodles with Shrimps
Amount per Serving
Calories
358
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
26
g
40
%
Saturated Fat
 
3
g
19
%
Trans Fat
 
0.003
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
5
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
15
g
Cholesterol
 
81
mg
27
%
Sodium
 
90
mg
4
%
Potassium
 
1279
mg
37
%
Carbohydrates
 
19
g
6
%
Fiber
 
8
g
33
%
Sugar
 
9
g
10
%
Protein
 
18
g
36
%
Vitamin A
 
1088
IU
22
%
Vitamin C
 
69
mg
84
%
Calcium
 
105
mg
11
%
Iron
 
3
mg
17
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

35 Comments

  1. I love the fact that your pesto has some avocado in there too. It must help to make it super creamy and delicious!

  2. howimetmydinner Reply

    This looks insanely delicious! And what a great way to get some veggies into your life. Mmm!

  3. these zucchini noodles look amazing and that cilantro pesto really does look creamy. I am such a big cilantro fan, so happy to see others using it 🙂

  4. ooo, give me avocado all the ways! And also all of the paprikas. I think I have four kinds at home right now myself, and I love the spicy sweet combo you have developed hare!

  5. Well this is the perfect summer dish. I love my spiralizer…and zoodles are the best. This is the perfect side for grilling season..and would feed a crowd with east.

  6. This looks so yummy, perfect for the hot summer months (I love a dish where the oven doesn’t need to be on!) And that pesto is def going to be in my recipe box, good for so many different dishes YUM

  7. Danielle Cushing Reply

    I’ve never made homemade pesto before! It looks so fresh.

  8. I think that pestos have come a long way. Just because we don’t use a mortar, doesn’t make it any less pesto. Mortar & pestles were used before the advent of the food processor 😉 The recipe looks delicious and such great ingredients in there!

    • The FoodOlic Reply

      Thanks! I totally agree, pesto is pesto done in a mortar or processor;)

  9. Perfect summer dish. I love the combination of cilantro and avocado period zoodles have been pretty popular on our table over the past few months. Thanks for sharing

  10. Derek @ Dad With A Pan Reply

    Wow that pesto you made looks so good! I used to be weird about zoodles, but they’re one of my favorite things to eat when I’m feeling in the mood for a light meal!

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