Cold Noodles with Sautéed Zucchini and Lime Recipe
Introduction
Cold Noodles with Zucchini is a refreshing and vibrant dish perfect for warm days. Featuring lightly seared zucchini and a tangy, savory dressing, this recipe brings together simple ingredients for a bright, satisfying meal.
Ingredients
- 1 large zucchini (about 8 ounces)
- Coarse kosher salt or fine sea salt
- 3 to 4 ounces dried ramen, somen, or capellini
- 2 teaspoons maple syrup, plus more to taste
- 1 1/2 teaspoons soy sauce, plus more to taste
- 1 teaspoon fish sauce, plus more to taste
- 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon avocado, grapeseed, or canola oil
- 1/2 cup cubed ice
- Lemon or lime wedges, for serving
- Thinly sliced scallions, for serving
Instructions
- Step 1: Trim off the tips of the zucchini, then halve lengthwise and slice into 1/3-inch half moons. Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt on the cutting board, toss to combine, and let sit for at least 10 minutes (up to 30 minutes) to draw out excess moisture.
- Step 2: Bring a pot of water to a boil. Cook the noodles according to package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water until cool to the touch. Transfer to an individual serving bowl.
- Step 3: In a medium bowl, stir together the maple syrup, soy sauce, fish sauce, and garlic powder; set aside.
- Step 4: Pat the zucchini dry. Heat a large skillet over high heat, then add the oil. When slightly smoking, arrange the zucchini in a single layer and season with salt. Cook undisturbed until browned on one side, 1 to 2 minutes, then flip and cook until tender-crisp, about 1 minute.
- Step 5: Transfer the zucchini to the bowl with the sauce. Add the cubed ice and toss quickly a few times until the zucchini is cool. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt if needed. The dressing should be boldly salty at this stage, as the melting ice and noodles will dilute it.
- Step 6: Pour the zucchini and dressing over the noodles. Spritz with lemon or lime juice, top with scallions, and serve immediately. Adjust seasoning with more maple syrup, soy sauce, or fish sauce while eating, if desired.
Tips & Variations
- Use ramen, somen, or capellini noodles depending on availability and personal preference.
- For a vegan version, substitute fish sauce with additional soy sauce or a splash of miso paste.
- Adding a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds can enhance the flavor and add crunch.
- Serve with extra citrus wedges for a bright, acidic balance.
Storage
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat noodles slightly if preferred warm, but this dish is best enjoyed cold or at room temperature. Toss again before serving to redistribute the dressing.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use other vegetables instead of zucchini?
Yes, thinly sliced cucumbers or blanched green beans work well to maintain a crisp, fresh texture.
What if I don’t have fish sauce?
You can replace fish sauce with extra soy sauce or a splash of tamari for a similar salty umami flavor without the seafood taste.
PrintCold Noodles with Sautéed Zucchini and Lime Recipe
A refreshing and light cold noodle dish featuring tender sautéed zucchini with a savory and slightly sweet dressing made from maple syrup, soy sauce, and fish sauce. Perfect for a quick, flavorful meal served chilled with a bright citrus finish and fresh scallions.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Asian Fusion
Ingredients
Scale
Zucchini
- 1 large zucchini (about 8 ounces)
- Coarse kosher salt or fine sea salt (for salting zucchini and seasoning)
Noodles
- 3 to 4 ounces dried ramen, somen, or capellini noodles
Dressing
- 2 teaspoons maple syrup, plus more to taste
- 1 1/2 teaspoons soy sauce, plus more to taste
- 1 teaspoon fish sauce, plus more to taste
- 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon avocado, grapeseed, or canola oil
Additional
- 1/2 cup cubed ice
- Lemon or lime wedges, for serving
- Thinly sliced scallions, for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the zucchini: Trim off the tips of the zucchini, then halve lengthwise and slice into 1/3-inch half moons. Sprinkle with about 1/2 teaspoon salt directly on the cutting board, toss to combine, and let sit for at least 10 minutes, up to 30 minutes, to draw out excess moisture from the zucchini.
- Cook the noodles: Bring a pot of water to boil. Cook the dried noodles according to the package instructions. Once cooked, drain and rinse under cold water until the noodles are cool to the touch. Transfer them to an individual serving bowl and set aside.
- Make the dressing: In a medium bowl, combine the maple syrup, soy sauce, fish sauce, and garlic powder. Stir well to combine and set this dressing aside.
- Sauté the zucchini: Pat the salted zucchini dry with a paper towel. Heat a large skillet over high heat. Once hot (when you see a wisp of smoke), add the oil and carefully arrange the zucchini in an even layer. Season with salt. Cook undisturbed until the zucchini is browned on one side, about 1 to 2 minutes, then flip the pieces and cook for another 1 minute until tender-crisp.
- Cool the zucchini: Transfer the sautéed zucchini to the bowl with the dressing. Add the cubed ice and quickly toss a few times to cool the zucchini rapidly. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt if needed; the dressing should be boldly salty to account for dilution from the ice and noodles.
- Assemble and serve: Pour the zucchini and dressing over the cold noodles. Spritz with lemon or lime juice and top with thinly sliced scallions. Serve immediately. Adjust flavors with additional maple syrup, soy sauce, or fish sauce as desired while eating.
Notes
- Salting the zucchini helps remove excess water, preventing soggy noodles and improving texture.
- Using ice cubes rapidly cools the zucchini after sautéing, preserving its crispness and preventing cooking from residual heat.
- You can substitute the noodles with any thin dried noodle such as somen or capellini as preferred.
- The dressing is designed to be strongly flavored before dilution; tasting and adjusting at different stages ensures a balanced taste.
- Add fresh herbs like cilantro or mint for an additional flavor twist if desired.
Keywords: cold noodles, zucchini noodles, sautéed zucchini, ramen noodles, Asian dressing, healthy noodle recipe, quick lunch, maple syrup dressing
