Age is a funny thing. I recently turned 50. I remember when 50 seemed sooo old! I don’t feel 50. I don’t see myself as 50, I think of myself as I was a quarter of a century ago, before I had children. And, many may say, I don’t act 50. Although I don’t know if that means I act younger or older.
For my 50th birthday, my best friend Christine gave me a spiralizer or spiral vegetable slicer. It is a device that cuts vegetables into noodle and ribbon shapes. It is allowing me to eat noodles again (no gluten). It is so much fun to use. I am finding all sorts of things to make with it. The one I want to share with you today is my recipe for spicy cucumber noodle salad. This can be served as a side dish, as I did with my turkey burgers or as a lunch dish with the addition of other vegetables and some sesame, flax or other seeds.
Spicy Cucumber Noodles
2-4 servings
3 cups or about 1 large English cucumber, spiralized
½ cup sweet onion, very thinly sliced
3 Tbls apple cider vinegar
½-1 Tbls organic honey
½ tsp red pepper flakes, adjust to your taste
1/8 tsp salt
1 tsp olive oil, optional (I prefered it without oil)
In a bowl mix together cider vinegar, honey, pepper flakes and salt until well incorporated and let sit. Then, wash cucumber (peel, if you like) and cut in thirds otherwise it won’t fit on the spiralizer and the noodles will be way too long. Cut using the spiralizer and place in a bowl. Add sliced sweet onion to cucumber. Pour dressing over cucumber and onion and toss until coated.
The second time I served this, I added shredded carrots which gave the dish some nice color and added crunch. Even my teenaged niece had seconds.
With turning 50, leaving my younger years and entering middle age, comes a new style of living and thinking about life. I walk more often. I’m thinking about starting to do yoga and meditating. I no longer eat traditional, wonderful pasta…and I am trying to instill balance in my life. The spiralizer is a small symbol of the new, conscious, healthy, 50-year-old me.
Love this, Julie! I’ve discovered that you (meaning all of us) never feel our increasing years. Somewhere inside my 63 year old body (and when in the name of god did that happen???!!??) I’m still the 17 year old in love for the first time; the 33 year old starting life with a new love; the 45 year old learning that my world was and is filled with love……
I think I’m in a sentimental frame of mind today! Please keep your blog going-it’s terrific! And I want a spiralizer-way to go Christine!
Julie, this looks delicious! You are such an inspiration for personal change toward love and balance in life and cuisine.
Thanks Deb and Joe for taking the time to read and comment on the blog. It is certainly a work in progress as is my attempt to create balance in my life.
J
Can’t wait to try this!