Before my mom and I headed out for our walk this afternoon, I had the rest of this morning’s fruit salad as an inter-meal snack:
Along with this carrot “core” dipped in fresh WF almond butter:
Mom and I set off on a lovely walk for an hour or so, winding our way through the arboretum that leads to a nieghborhood park, chatting with each other, and chatting with neighbors.
Back home, we finally ate “lunch” around 7pm! I’d been working on preparing the various components of Gena’s raw zucchini alfredo over the course of the afternoon, with just a few adjustments.
To make the “noodles,” I used a vegetable peeler on carrots, zucchini, and yellow squash:
I made a smaller portion of the sauce — 3/4 cup cashews instead of 1.25 cups — than the recipe because this house does not need any more leftovers! We also added some toasted sesame oil (I know that un-raws it, but it tasted good!) and soy sauce:
My mom was a little bit hesitant about the highly caloric nature of this nut-based sauce, but I reminded her that the nuts were serving as the protein/fat part of the meal. The calories were definitely warranted and necessary!
For the final (and again un-raw) addition, I lightly steamed some broccoli and mixed in a few crushed dried garlic flakes, and that got mixed with the “pasta”:
Here it is all mixed together with the sauce (and twilight porch-seating — you can see the grass in the background!):
I honestly wasn’t sure how I would feel about this raw “pasta” — I was thinking it would just be like a refreshing summer salad, but it was delicious! I LOVED the sauce. It tasted like cold sesame noodles. Mom and John cleaned their plates, too. You must try this!
For dessert, I had a couple slices of sweet potato that I found in the fridge (they got treated to some cinnamon post-photo):
Oh, right, I had more dessert after that, too 😛 My friend Steph (we’ve known each other since we were probably six months old!) and her husband Dan (who also went to high school with us) picked me up, and we headed over to a law school graduation party for Liz, also from high school, at her parents’ house (Congrats, Liz!). I got to chat with a bunch of people I hadn’t seen in years — so fun! I had loads of chips and guac, and then the cake came out:
I had a small piece of each and then stopped there. I was too busy socializing 🙂
And now it’s time for bed! I’m getting myself psyched for the bird chorus to wake me up at 4:45 am again. I know I complain about morning birds all the time in Brooklyn, but I’ve gotten spoiled. It’s exponentially louder here in MA! I think I will go home next week with a greater appreciation for Brooklyn’s more moderate tweeting. Does leaving town make you appreciate things more at home?
Tales of Expansion: Baby Butternut Edition 
Since going to college I appreciate my home and family so much more! I obviously did before, but now I REALLY know how great I have it at home! 🙂
Your raw pasta dish sounds amazing, from the cashew sauce to the veggie noodles…..you are a geniusss, and your mom is so lucky to have you cooking for her!
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I love your raw veggie salad, it looks amazing!
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I love that you have dipped your carrot in almond butter! My favorite snack is peanut butter with baby carrots, yum. Leaving home definitely makes me appreciate home more. Even the best vacations in the world cause me to miss home a bit! HAve a great day.
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Your sort of raw dinner (lunch?) looks pretty good. At least that’s what I thought till I saw the CAKE! Mmm I love store bought cake. And I love that you had sweet potatoes for dessert #1
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That raw meal looks great! I like that you didn’t need a spiralizer to make it. I’ll have to try it 🙂
Leaving town definitely makes me appreciate home more! I like traveling, but I do love the comfort and convenience of home that you just can’t find anywhere else 🙂
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Great idea to use a vegetable peeler to make noodles – everyone has these fancy spiralisers or however you call them. You’re a thinker!
The cashew sauce sounds delicious too – but I’m not sure I could eat something like that cold. I don’t think I’m brave enough!
Those cakes look mighty mighty good!
I’ll have to answer your question later in the year – when I got overseas!
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Hmmm… I’m not quite brave enough to try the raw thing yet. I tend to like my food warm!
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Interesting “pasta,” and I’m glad you liked it! I think I would have to add the steamed broccoli as well.
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I’ve never appreciated home as much as I do since I moved away! It definitely gave me so much perspective on things I once took for granted. I’m so glad you’re home and enjoying time with your fam! The food looks great as usual 🙂
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