15 minute Vegetarian Soba Noodles
My mom and I love soba noodles, which are made of buckwheat. Soba is Japanese for buckwheat, which is a nutritious, grain-like seed that’s gluten-free and — despite its name — unrelated to wheat.
Buckwheat noodles are a good source of plant protein and can be found in the ethnic sections of supermarkets, Asian grocery stores, health food stores, and online. Buckwheat has been linked to improved heart health, blood sugar, decreased inflammation, and cancer prevention. (SOURCE: Healthline)
We prefer 100% buckwheat noodles. Soba noodles made mostly with refined wheat flour are less nutritious. But if you can’t find soba noodles, you can also use whole wheat noodles.
This quick and healthy vegetarian soba noodle recipe includes broccoli, tomatoes, garlic, mint and cashews. A refreshing variation on pasta, the Blistered Cherry Tomato Soba Noodles recipe is included in Heidi Swanson’s book Super Natural Simple.
This recipe is also very versatile – you can substitute your favorite vegetables if you like!
Here’s the recipe via Shape Magazine:
Ingredients
8 ounces dried soba noodles
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
4 garlic cloves
1 pint cherry tomatoes (We sliced the tomatoes but the recipe calls for keeping them whole)
3 cups broccoli or broccolini florets
¼ teaspoon fine-grain sea salt, plus more to taste
⅓ cup chopped mint
½ cup well-toasted cashews, chopped
Grated parmesan, shichimi togarashi (Japanese chili pepper) or chili flakes, and lemon zest, for serving (optional)
Directions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the soba noodles, and cook until al dente following package instructions.
In the meantime, combine the oil, garlic, and tomatoes in a large pan or skillet over medium heat. Cook for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, then add broccoli.
Cook, continuing to stir, for 3 to 4 minutes more until most of the tomatoes burst and the broccoli is bright green. Remove the pan from heat, and salt.
When the soba is cooked, drain it well, and add it to the tomato mixture in the skillet. Stir in the mint and cashews. Taste, and add more salt as needed.
Serve the soba in individual bowls with Parmesan, shichimi togarashi (Japanese chili pepper) or chili flakes, and lemon zest on the side if desired,
Like our aprons? They’re Japanese and we love the design and comfort! There are no ties and it can even be worn as a jumper! (with pants or leggings of course!) You can find them on Amazon: Get our aprons here!
Stay up-to-date on our latest workouts and news! Sign up for our email list in the footer below.
