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Natural Awakenings Central New Jersey

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Zucchini Pasta with Salmon and Artichoke

Dec 30, 2022 09:30AM ● By Tom O’Bryan
Plate of salmon on top of bed of zucchini pasta with plate of sliced lemons and fresh herbs in background

Ryzhkov/AdobeStock.com

Yield: 4 servings

6 zucchinis, medium to large, firm and straight, cut into “noodles”
2 lb fresh, wild salmon fillets, skin removed
Sea salt and pepper
2 Tbsp high-heat cooking oil (avocado or grapeseed)
3 Tbsp olive oil
4 Tbsp shallots, minced
4 cloves garlic, minced
8 artichoke hearts (in water), quartered
1 lemon, zested and juiced
4 Tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Pinch of cayenne
6 slices crumbled, crispy turkey bacon; crispy bacon; or crispy pancetta

Zucchini can be fashioned into noodles one of two ways. For “fettuccine”, use a potato peeler to produce long, flat noodles or lengthwise ribbons. Peel off several from one side, then turn the zucchini and peel off more. Continue to turn and peel away ribbons, until reaching the seeds at the core of the zucchini, which can be discarded. For “spaghetti”, use a spiralizer, mandolin or knife. The spiralizer is the easiest option. With a mandolin, hook up the julienne attachment for perfectly formed noodles. If using a knife, cut the zucchini into thin slices, stack them up and cut again lengthwise into thin strips. Discard the core.

Salt the zucchini noodles, let sit for a few minutes, then massage and squeeze the water out. Drain any excess liquid. 

Season the salmon with salt and pepper. In a large pan, heat the avocado oil over medium to high heat. Add the salmon, top side-down, and sear until golden and crispy, then turn over to finish cooking. Cover only with a splatter screen, or it will not get crispy.

In a wok or large pan over medium heat, add the olive oil and shallots, and cook until soft. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the zucchini noodles, increase the heat to medium-high and cook for 2 minutes. Add the artichokes and lemon zest, stir to combine and cook for 1 minute. Turn off the heat and add the parsley, lemon juice and cayenne; stir to combine. Add the bacon and adjust seasonings to taste.

Distribute evenly on 4 plates or low bowls. Place the salmon on top and serve with extra lemon. 


Recipe courtesy of Dr. Tom OBryan.


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Tick Talk

Spring officially sprung on March 21. We have turned our clocks ahead. We are looking forward to warm winds, sunny skies and the smell of fresh cut grass. The daffodils and tulips have recently bloomed and we are just starting with the yard work that comes with the warmer weather.  Sadly, another season has started ramping up.  Tick season.

•             The best form of protection is prevention. Educating oneself about tick activity and how our behaviors overlap with tick habitats is the first step.

•             According to the NJ DOH, in 2022 Hunterdon County led the state with a Lyme disease incidence rate of 426 cases per 100,000 people. The fact is ticks spend approximately 90% of their lives not on a host but aggressively searching for one, molting to their next stage or over-wintering. This is why a tick remediation program should be implemented on school grounds where NJ DOH deems high risk for tick exposure and subsequent attachment to human hosts.

•             Governor Murphy has signed a bill that mandates tick education in NJ public schools. See this for the details.  Tick education must now be incorporated into K-12 school curriculum. See link:

https://www.nj.gov/education/broadcasts/2023/sept/27/TicksandTick-BorneIllnessEducation.pdf

•             May is a great month to remind the public that tick activity is in full swing. In New Jersey, there are many tickborne diseases that affect residents, including Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis, Lyme disease, Powassan, and Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiosis.

•             For years, the focus has mainly been about protecting ourselves from Lyme disease. But other tick-borne diseases are on the rise in Central Jersey. An increase of incidence of Babesia and Anaplasma are sidelining people too. These two pathogens are scary because they effect our blood cells. Babesia affects the red blood cells and Anaplasma effects the white blood cells.

•             Ticks can be infected with more than one pathogen. When you contract Lyme it is possible to contract more than just that one disease. This is called a co-infection. It is super important to pay attention to your symptoms. See link.

https://twp.freehold.nj.us/480/Disease-Co-Infection

A good resource from the State:

https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/tickborne.shtml

 

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