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Spring Pasta with Zucchini & Watercress

CategoryCuisineDiets

Pasta teamed with tofu and the nutrient-dense spring vegetable, watercress, is comfort food at its best.

Ingredients

 1 14-16 ounce package firm tofu (plus salt for sprinkling)
 ½ cup olive oil
 6 cloves garlic, minced
 2 medium zucchini, julienned
 1 ½ teaspoons salt
 ½ teaspoon black pepper
 ¼ teaspoon chili flakes
 ½ teaspoon sugar
 ½ pound spaghetti or linguine
 4 ounces fresh watercress, stems removed

Instructions

Tofu Preparation
1

Using kitchen scissors, carefully open the tofu package and drain the liquid. Place the tofu between 2 plates. Weight the top plate with a heavy jar and press for 20 minutes. Remove tofu and discard the liquid. Cut in half lengthwise to create 2 large pieces. Sprinkle both sides with salt.

Cooking the Tofu
2

Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat.

3

Fry the tofu pieces until golden on both sides (about 3 to 4 minutes per side).

4

Remove from skillet, allow to cool, then dice into bite-size pieces. Set aside.

Preparing the Vegetable Base
5

In the same skillet, add the remaining olive oil over medium heat.

6

Add garlic and zucchini. Sauté for a few minutes.

7

dd salt, black pepper, chili flakes, and sugar. Continue cooking until zucchini is soft.

8

Add diced tofu back to the skillet and cook over low heat, stirring occasionally. Do not overcook.

Cooking the Pasta
9

Bring a pot of water to a boil and cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente.

Combining & Serving
10

Using tongs, transfer the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss with the zucchini mixture.

11

Add watercress and mix gently. Adjust salt to taste. Serve warm. Serves 4

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Ingredients

 1 14-16 ounce package firm tofu (plus salt for sprinkling)
 ½ cup olive oil
 6 cloves garlic, minced
 2 medium zucchini, julienned
 1 ½ teaspoons salt
 ½ teaspoon black pepper
 ¼ teaspoon chili flakes
 ½ teaspoon sugar
 ½ pound spaghetti or linguine
 4 ounces fresh watercress, stems removed

Directions

Tofu Preparation
1

Using kitchen scissors, carefully open the tofu package and drain the liquid. Place the tofu between 2 plates. Weight the top plate with a heavy jar and press for 20 minutes. Remove tofu and discard the liquid. Cut in half lengthwise to create 2 large pieces. Sprinkle both sides with salt.

Cooking the Tofu
2

Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat.

3

Fry the tofu pieces until golden on both sides (about 3 to 4 minutes per side).

4

Remove from skillet, allow to cool, then dice into bite-size pieces. Set aside.

Preparing the Vegetable Base
5

In the same skillet, add the remaining olive oil over medium heat.

6

Add garlic and zucchini. Sauté for a few minutes.

7

dd salt, black pepper, chili flakes, and sugar. Continue cooking until zucchini is soft.

8

Add diced tofu back to the skillet and cook over low heat, stirring occasionally. Do not overcook.

Cooking the Pasta
9

Bring a pot of water to a boil and cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente.

Combining & Serving
10

Using tongs, transfer the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss with the zucchini mixture.

11

Add watercress and mix gently. Adjust salt to taste. Serve warm. Serves 4

Spring Pasta with Zucchini & Watercress