Calorie Conscious Comfort Foods: Made Seasonal!

Zucchini Noodles with Pesto

This low-carb alternative to traditional pasta is light yet filling. Zucchini noodles, or "zoodles," paired with a flavorful pesto sauce, make for a delicious, calorie-conscious comfort food dish.

Ingredients:

1. Zucchini (spiralized into noodles)
2. Fresh basil
3. Garlic
4. Olive oil
5. Parmesan cheese
6. Pine nuts

Directions:

1. Spiralize the zucchini into noodles using a spiralizer or julienne peeler.
2. In a food processor, combine fresh basil, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan, and olive oil to create the pesto sauce.
3. Sauté the zucchini noodles in a non-stick pan for 3-4 minutes until tender.
4. Toss the zoodles with the pesto sauce and serve immediately.

Sweet Potato Shepherd's Pie

A lighter twist on the classic shepherd’s pie, using sweet potatoes instead of regular mashed potatoes. This dish is packed with nutrients and still provides the comforting flavors you love.

Ingredients:

1. Ground turkey or lentils (for a vegetarian version)
2. Carrots, onions, and peas
3. Sweet potatoes
4. Olive oil
5. Chicken broth (low-sodium)

Directions:

1. Peel and boil the sweet potatoes until soft. Mash with a little olive oil, salt, and pepper.
2. In a pan, cook the ground turkey or lentils with diced carrots, onions, and peas.
3. Add a bit of chicken broth and cook until the vegetables are tender.
4. Layer the turkey/lentil mixture in a baking dish and top with the mashed sweet potatoes.
5. Bake at 375°F for 20 minutes until the top is golden.