If you are looking for a new inspiration this year to eat more fresh fruits and vegetables, consider investing under $40 in a kitchen tool called a “spiralizer.” A spiralizer can make long ribbon shapes from a variety of vegetables that can be cooked or eaten raw. These noodle-like vegetable shapes are great substitutes for pasta, can add a new texture in your salad, or serve as a fun side dish for the whole family.

A favorite of many is the “zoodle,” short for zucchini noodle; so popular in fact, you can purchase them premade in most grocery stores now. Zucchini can be served raw or cooked, just like many of the other foods you can spiralize including cucumber, beet, cabbage, carrot, parsnip, sweet potato, onion, butternut squash, pear, and apple. Give any fruit or vegetable that is longer than two inches a spin!

Here is a unique recipe for breakfast or dinner adapted from TasteandSee.com that can get you started on your spiralizing – and healthful – journey:

Ingredients:

Coconut or avocado oil spray
3 zucchinis, spiralized into noodles or 1 package of Zoodles
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
4 large eggs
Salt and pepper
Red pepper flakes, for garnishing
Optional: Pesto sauce drizzle or 1 sliced Avocado

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a baking sheet with spray.
In a large bowl, toss the zucchini noodles and olive oil to combine. Season with salt and pepper. Divide into 4 even portions, transfer to the baking sheet and shape each into a nest, creating space in the center.
Gently crack an egg into the center of each nest. Bake 9 to 11 minutes, or until the eggs are set. Garnish with red-pepper flakes or drizzle with pesto sauce.

Consider serving two Eggnests alongside avocado slices, which are full of healthy fat and fiber. A quick tip: to avoid zucchini noodles from getting soggy, sprinkle salt over zoodles for 10 minutes to release the water and dry with the paper towel before tossing with olive oil.

Tiffany is a certified nutrition consultant and functional diagnostic nutrition practitioner and can be reached at (760) 285.1221. www.GlutenFreeWithTiffany.com