Project Description

Photo by Jaclyn Coleman.

We love Zaru Soba, Japanese cold soba noodles, so we created this recipe using Community Grains Spaghetti instead of soba,  and adding prawns and avocado (not pictured). Our spaghetti’s squared off shape, called chitarra, has a similar texture and mouthfeel to traditional buckwheat noodles. This summery dish has a wonderful interplay of textures, tangy sweetness, and works perfectly for warm evenings.

Asian Prawn and Spaghetti Salad with Avocado

Serves 3-4.

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces Community Grains Spaghetti (a little more than half a box)
  • 12 snow peas, trimmed and strings pulled
  • 1 small Persian or English cucumber
  • 1 avocado, skin removed and sliced thin
  • 1 Tbsp. unsalted butter or peanut oil
  • ½ Tbsp. sesame oil
  • 12 large fresh prawns, peeled and deveined
  • 1 tsp. finely chopped garlic
  • 1 tsp. lemon zest
  • 1 Tbsp. white wine
  • 2 tsp. black or white sesame seeds
  • 2 Tbsp. chopped chives
  • 2 Tbsp. chopped mint (optional)

for dressing:

  • 2 Tbsp. finely minced ginger, fresh if available
  • 2 Tbsp. toasted peanut oil (substitute a light vegetable oil if preferred)
  • 1 Tbsp. soy sauce
  • 1 Tbsp. mirin
  • 2 Tbsp. unseasoned rice vinegar
  • 1 tsp. pure sesame oil
  • pinch of chili flakes, or to taste

Cooking Instructions

  1. Mix together all of the ingredients for the dressing and set aside. Blanch or steam the snow peas for less than a minute and chill in cold water, they should still be quite crispy. Cut the cucumber in half lengthwise (if it’s large) and slice thin. Peel and slice the avocado. Set salad items aside.
  2. Cook the spaghetti in plenty of well-salted boiling water for about 5 to 6 minutes, or until al dente. Drain and cool down in ice water.  Drain well and set aside.
  3. In a pan that is large enough to hold the prawns in a single layer, heat 1 tablespoon of butter or vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Place the prawns in the pan and cook about 2 minutes, turn the prawns over, add the garlic and lemon zest, cook 1 minute, then add a splash of wine. Cook 1 minute longer, careful not to burn the garlic. Prawns should be pink but still bouncy to the touch – do not overcook.
  4. Toss the noodles with the ginger dressing. Taste to see if additional salt is needed. Place on a plate with the prawns, avocado, snow peas, and cucumbers arranged on top.  Sprinkle with sesame seeds, chives, and mint if desired.