Soy Spaghetti with Vegetables

Here is a recipe with an Italian twist for soy spaghetti with vegetables, a dish inspired by Asian cuisine but with some Mediterranean variations.

Ingredients

• 200 g of soy spaghetti
• 1 zucchini
• 1 carrot
• 100 g of champignon or porcini mushrooms
• 1 red bell pepper
• 1 small onion
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 4 tablespoons of soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil (or, if you prefer, sesame oil)
• Salt to taste
• Black pepper to taste
• A pinch of chili pepper (optional)
• Chopped fresh parsley (for an Italian touch)
• Grated Parmesan (optional, for those who love Italian flavors on Asian-inspired dishes)

Preparation

1. Soak the soy spaghetti in hot water following the package instructions, usually for about 10-15 minutes.
2. In the meantime, wash and julienne the vegetables (cut into thin strips). Slice the onion and finely chop the garlic.
3. In a large frying pan or wok, heat the extra virgin olive oil and sauté the garlic and onion until they become translucent.
4. Add the carrots and cook for about 2 minutes. Then, add the zucchini, mushrooms, and bell pepper and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender but still crispy.
5. Drain the soy spaghetti and add them to the pan with the vegetables. Pour in the soy sauce and mix well to flavor the spaghetti.
6. Season with salt (if necessary, as soy sauce already contains salt) and black pepper. If you like, add a pinch of chili pepper to brighten up the dish.
7. Cook for a few more minutes, then turn off the heat and sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley.

If desired, you can also add grated Parmesan before serving, for a bold mix of Italian and Asian flavors.

Curiosity

Soy spaghetti is very popular in Asian cuisines and represents a valid gluten-free alternative to wheat spaghetti. Moreover, they can be enriched with different proteins, such as chicken, shrimp, or tofu, to turn them into a complete dish. Soy sauce, a typical element of Oriental cuisine, has been balanced here with extra virgin olive oil, which gives a more local touch and a note of freshness to the dish.