Taking a Meal: Ground Turkey Pesto Yellow Squash and Zucchini Noodles
This Ground Turkey Pesto Yellow Squash and Zucchini Noodles is made with a Padnero Spiralizer, delicious served wtih Parmesan cheese.
Last night I took my friends dinner. Having just come home from Jeannie’s treatment in the hospital, she was exhausted, in bed, but her husband met me outside with a smile on his tired face. Happy to have a home-cooked meal, he graciously took the food from my hands, and invited me inside. Minor is one of the most hospitable people I know.
My friend, Jeannie, has been sick for a long, long time. She has her ups and downs, which I won’t even go into. Her friends understand, rally around her, and give her hope. And then she turns that around: Jeannie is so encouraging and engaged with the people in her life, she seriously takes in every tiny moment and turns it around with gratitude in her heart. Truly inspiring, she’s a helper in this world. Like the saying, she doesn’t let weeds grow around her dreams. Many people will never know the things that she has done for others.
The bottom just falls out sometimes, but these two just keep on going. It’s amazing–even when things are not okay, you get the feeling that everything is okay.
I think some people just have a peace, a calm, a way about them that is soothing to others.
It’s okay to visit those that may have situations in their lives that make us uncomfortable. Ask questions. Listen. Show them that you care!
Or, take food!
Padnero Spiralizer.
I finally joined the spiralizer society. I actually bought this a couple of months ago, and it’s been sitting in my garage, but with my recent yard sale, I decided to get serious and USE it. I’m so glad I did.
Inspired by my friend Gina, from Skinnytaste’s delicious recipes, I bought a Paderno Spiralizer.
It’s as easy as it looks, friends. I’m sure I’ll be creating many more recipes with apple, potatoes, radishes, squash, and beets.
Ground Turkey Pesto Yellow Squash and Zucchini Noodles.
I took zucchini and yellow squash. Spiralized and sautéed.
Made a delicious sauce with pesto.
Combined together and served on a platter, sprinkled with crushed red pepper flakes.
Feeding people is a way of loving them.
I know my love language is food. It’s a great connector for getting to know and love others! It nourishes our bodies, feeds our souls, and binds our hurts. Hurts that aren’t always easy to talk about. It’s as easy as sitting together with a bowl of delicious food, talking through the things that are bothering us, and listening.
Feeding people is a way of loving them, so why not bring a little joy to someone who sincerely would love to receive this kind of gift?
Can you think of a person or family who might be touched by a meal?
Get the Recipe:
Ground Turkey Pesto Yellow Squash and Zucchini Noodles
Ingredients
- 3.5 lbs. small zucchini, and yellow squash, cut into noodle strips with a spiralizer or mandolin (I used organic from Costco)
- 3 Tbsp. olive oil
- 1 medium red onion, minced
- 2 large cloves garlic, minced
- 4 oz. mushrooms, sliced
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 3 Tbsp. tomato paste, I used DeLallo’s Sweet Tomato Basil Paste, but you can use regular tomato paste
- 1/4 cup prepared pesto, I buy at Costco
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher or sea salt, or more to taste
- Fresh cracked black pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, or to taste
- Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
Instructions
- Make the squash and zucchini noodles using a spiralizer.
- In a large frying pan over medium-high heat, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and saute the zucchini noodles until tender, stirring regularly, about 2-3 minutes. Lightly salt and pepper; set aside.
- In the same pan over medium-high heat, add olive oil, onions, mushrooms, and garlic. Cook until translucent. Set aside.
- In the same pan over medium-high heat, cook the ground turkey until light brown, about 5 minutes. Lightly salt and pepper.
- Add tomato paste, prepared pesto, and tomato paste to the meat and mix together.
- Add in the onion and mushroom mixture to the meat; gently stir and heat on low heat for about 2-3 minutes.
- Serve the sauce over the zucchini noodles. Sprinkle with Crushed Red Pepper Flakes and Parmesan cheese.
Are you following me on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest? Thanks being here today, and if you’d like to subscribe to Reluctant Entertainer, to have each post delivered straight to your e-mail box, then please add your email, here. It’s really easy!
Hello and welcome to my home and table!
I’m Sandy—lover of food, family, cooking, THE BIG BOARD, travel, and bringing people together. Through great recipes and connection around the table, we become better, stronger, and more courageous people. Feasting on Life is real, and every time we do it, we grow a little more. Read more...
I’m going to have to share this with my sister because she loves zucchini! Thanks!
i really love your take on sharing meals. I don’t do it as much as I should. I plan on making your chicken thighs with paprika (another shared meal of yours) and bringing it to someone who needs a lift! Thanks for the reminder that food is love!
Kathi
This looks so wonderful! Healthy yet comforting :) Bringing someone food is such a gift, especially when they are in need. Something I need to remember to do and do often.
I would gobble up this entire plate of food!! This looks delicious Sandy!
And your friend…I know this meal touched their hearts and stomachs, sounds like you are both blessed to have each others friendships.
I LOVE zucchini noodles!! This sounds so great and healthy!! :)
YUM! I know at least 3/4 of my family would like it. My youngest might balk a bit…lol…but I do know several people who would love this. looks so good. I definitely need to get a spiralizer.
This sounds like a great dish for the summer when we have an abundance of zucchini & squash! Looks delicious, can’t wait to try it.