Kick up your exercise routine and protein-rich meals with this easy and flavorful Hummus Linguini with Zucchini pasta recipe. Thank you to Sabra for helping me to share this recipe with you.
It's time to kick off the second week of the Healthy New Year 6 Week Challenge that I'm hosting with my friend Liz of The Lemon Bowl. There are now 500 of you who have accepted the challenge formally, sharing ideas in our Facebook group. Come on over! It's not too late to join. If you're not here for the challenge, scroll down for the linguini recipe.
Last week we focused on hydration. And this week...
you knew it was coming...
...the challenge is exercise! If you don't currently have an exercise routine, please don't run away, screaming in terror. Liz and I aren't going to suggest that you start training for a triathlon or work the elliptical until you drop. That's not what this challenge is all about.
We want you to find something you really enjoy doing, something that makes you feel great (though it will be hard sometimes), something that you can stick with. The goal is this:
Move your body!
That could include walking, running, yoga, skiing, strength training, swimming, rock climbing...you get the picture. Try a few different things until you find one or more things that really spark your fire.
I call myself a runner, but that wasn't always the case. In fact, I wrote about that in How I Started, 2 Blocks at a Time. It wasn't pretty and there were a lot of days that were just plain hard and even discouraging. But I stuck with it and got to the point where I am now. Not only do I enjoy going out for a run and feel so much more energetic and content when I do, but I actually miss it when I decide to roll over and go back to sleep rather than lacing up my running shoes. If you are interested in starting a walk-run program, check out my post on How to: Train for a 5k Run.
If you're already exercising regularly, what can you do the change things up to challenge your body? Maybe you could learn a new swimming stroke, try out that Pilates class at the gym or add some hill running into your routine. Making changes will help you reach the next level of fitness and keep things fresh and interesting.
A body that's moving needs proper nutrition to keep it healthy and fueled. One of those components is protein. When you exercise, you actually break down some of your muscles, producing tiny tears. Eating a protein-rich snack or meal within one to two hours of exercising gives your body the necessary building blocks to repair itself.
My favorite protein-filled snacks and meals include hummus with veggies (have you tried Sabra's new Lemon Twist hummus...seriously good!), hard-boiled eggs, and my Slow Cooker Hoisin Chicken and Fisherman's Soup recipes.
We always have Sabra hummus in our fridge - everything from their classic (which I use in this recipe) to roasted red pepper flavors. I love to spread it on sandwiches and use it as a topping for fish, and was excited to discover that it makes an easy, healthy sauce for pasta when mixed with vegetable broth and a little rice vinegar. Don't leave out the rice vinegar - it gives the dish a kick of acidity.
Printable Recipe
Hummus Linguini with Zucchini
Ingredients
- 13 ounces whole wheat linguini
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- ½ onion thinly sliced
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 4 cups julienned zucchini
- ¾ cup vegetable broth
- ½ cup Sabra hummus
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese
- ¼ cup minced flat-leaf parsley
- ¼ teaspoon salt plus more to taste
- ¼ teaspoon ground pepper plus more to taste
Instructions
- Cook the linguini according to package directions.
- Heat the olive oil in a large nonstick skillet set over medium heat.
- Add the onion and cook until tender, 5 to 6 minutes. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes, and cook for 30 seconds.
- Add the zucchini and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Stir in the vegetable broth, hummus and rice vinegar, and cook until the hummus dissolves and the sauce is warm.
- Add the linguini, feta cheese, parsley, salt and pepper to sauce, and toss until the pasta is coated. Serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Sabra Dipping Co. All opinions are my own.
claire @the realistic nutritionist
Hummus as pasta sauce? I think I love you!! See, I've never been a runner, but I want to try, so that counts as something, right?
Martha @ A Family Feast
What a great idea - using hummus as a pasta sauce! (And...you just may be inspiring me to dust off those running shoes - I do miss it!)
Angela {Mind Over Batter}
For the past year I've worked out in bursts of 30 days. After 30 days I lose momentum for some reason. Then I spend two weeks feeling sorry for myself and eating Nutella. Then I get back at it for 30 more days. Sigh... I'm at a point where my weight is causing me health issues. I really appreciate this post, Dara. And this pasta. Humus is a staple at home. I'm sure every one here will love it.
Joanne
I've eaten a LOT of hummus in my day, but I'm not sure that I've ever had it as a pasta sauce! Genius. This is definitely being added to the weeknight rotation!
Dara
Thank you, Joanne! I'm pretty smitten with this sauce. I'm so glad you've joined us in the challenge!
Susan
This sounds very interesting. I would most likely make my own hummus (learned to do it a very long time ago, and have never been able to imagine buying it). It's nice to see a different take on a post dish.
Dara
Thanks, Susan. Homemade hummus is always good. I hope you have a chance to try it in this recipe.
Alison @ Daily Moves and Grooves
Love this! I am a huge fan of moving in any way at all, whether that means a high intensity circuit workout or a walk around the neighborhood. And I love the idea of starting two blocks at a time for beginner runners. I run occasionally, but it's never been something that I really loved. Maybe I should try to make it more interesting with other exercises between each mile or something 🙂
We just bought Sabra's new lemon twist hummus two days ago and it's almost gone! Obsessed.
Dara
Yes, that lemon twist hummus is awesome. I'm not even going to tell you how quickly I ate our first container!
The concept of two blocks at a time helped me so much when I first started running, and I think it can cross over to so many different exercise routines.
Brenda@Sugar-Free Mom
I love working out! I need to get my sweat on 5 days a week at least, if not I feel it emotionally. It balances my mind and keeps me happy! Beautiful dish Dara!
Dara
I hear you, Brenda. I get so grumpy when I don't work out. My family practically shoves me out the door when I haven't gone out for a couple of days.
Kim (Feed Me, Seymour)
I have been doing these 15 minute high-intensity interval training workouts and they are kicking my butt. But honestly, I've never felt better. So glad to have meals like this to replenish and fill me up!
Dara
That's fantastic, Kim! Isn't it amazing that something that makes you tired while you're doing it gives you so much more energy in the long run?
kita
It's January, I am a fitness freak. But something is in the air and I have been slacking on my big picture. I love the idea of this pasta - and protein rich foods in general! Plus the little boost of motivation goes a long way! Time to get back to the swing of things - one mile at a time!
Dara
You hit the nail on the head, Kita. One mile at a time. And I'm with you on protein rich foods - I can't get enough of them.
Lana | Never Enough Thyme
Wow. I've never thought of hummus as anything other than a dip. So glad to know I can use in recipes like this!
Dara
Thanks, Lana! One of my favorite fish recipes uses hummus and breadcrumbs as a topping. It's always fun dreaming up new ways to use hummus.