It’s finals week, people.
Now, every week leading up to exams is pretty similar: lots of coffee, hours sitting in one place staring at notes, a mild but ever-present layer of stress coating every second of every day.
BUT the one thing that makes spring finals worth it? You’re done after.
Spring semester at college is super fun. Sure, the weather’s been kinda iffy (anyone else totally hate the constant rain and wind chill last week), but there have been some seriously gorgeous days and lots of fun events.
Spring semester has been so fun, that for a while, leaving freshman year behind just seemed kinda sad. I honestly wasn’t even that excited about the summer, because it just seemed like a step away from the crazy and fast-paced life at school.
But don’t you worry, finals have me alllll burned out. After the hectic and action-packed couple of months since my last break, things have finally slowed down to grueling ten-hour shifts poring over psychology notes and editing the same essays over and over.
I’m officially ready to head home, where finals, and school, and work are just not things.
What’s been helping, though, has been the promise of nice weather. This week is going to be sunny and 70s, and that’s exactly what my tired and brain-dead self needs!
There’s nothing like a little sun to cure a dull mood (Seriously, putting on sunglasses makes me feel better immediately!).
These mediterranean pesto carrot noodles are summer food. I know, I know, it’s still spring… but the nice weather has me excited! With lots of cooling flavors, no cooking/baking, and tons of color, this light dish packs a summery punch.
Spiralized raw carrot noodles are topped with tons of veggies and a homemade herb pesto! This meal is vegan and gluten free and super healthy- it’s basically salad that looks like pasta, but don’t you worry, it’s so good. Enjoy! xx
- 1 cup basil
- 1 cup baby spinach
- ¼ cup packed mint leaves (8-12)
- 2 cloves garlic
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 tsp tahini
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- Salt to taste
- 1 large carrot
- ¼ cup chickpeas
- 2-3 pearl tomatoes, quartered
- ¼ cup diced cucumber
- 6-8 kalamata olives, sliced
- 1 tbsp dill
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- Using a spiralizer, spiralize carrot to form noodles.
- In a food processor, combine all pesto ingredients and pulse until liquified.
- Toss pasta with pesto and stir in chickpeas, tomatoes, cucumber, and olives.
- Add dill, lemon juice, salt, and pepper and toss well to combine. Taste and adjust seasonings.
- Serve!
Ohhh yes, same here. No finals but DEADLINES, three papers in one week and then three more a little while after. Yay us? This looks delicious though, loving the mint in there! Will have to try that one day.
Good luck!
Thanks! 🙂 Good luck to you, too!
Hooray for being finished with your finals! and this pesto carrot salad is amazing! LOVE! I just spiralized some carrots yesterday!
Thanks! 🙂
Hooray for finishing finals! Isn’t that the best feeling? These noodles look SO good, Medha! I love the pesto in here!
Seriously! Thanks 🙂
Just think: you could be stuck in HS taking APs. Now life is better!
These carrots look so great! I love pesto. Love love.
You’re so right. Not gonna miss those 😉
I hope you kicked butt on your finals, girlfriend!! Hurray for a much needed break for you! And double hurray for these noodles! Carrot noodles rock and I’m loving that pesto and Mediterranean flavors! Cheers, dear!
Thanks, Cheyanne! 🙂
Congrats on being done. Make sure to relax for a while.
I have been spiralizing a lot of zucchini, but I’ve haven’t done carrots much. I need to start because this looks so tasty. That pesto!! I could eat a lot of this.
Thanks, Amanda!
Le sigh…college days were THE days. Finals were always so stressful in the moment but once they were over, a huge weight was lifted and it was nice having the relief and satisfaction of the semester being over. I hope your finals go well and you have a chance to relax and rejuvenate at home! Cheers to upcoming warm weather – I’m ready to say goodbye to rain, too!
Thanks, Julia!
Sunshine and bright, healthy food definitely makes a person feel better and helps get you through things like finals at college! Hope you enjoy a great well-deserved break soon. I feel lots of good food coming up! : )
Thanks, Monica, me too 🙂
So glad you are done with finals girl! This is such a great dish! Pinned!
Thanks for pinning! 🙂
Oooh I love Mediterranean food! This recipe sounds so fresh and yummy.
I know exactly what you mean – it’s sweet relief when you’re done with a challenging time, whether it’s studying for exams as a college student, or finishing up your busy season with work like I did last month! It was such a tiring grind leading up to it, and afterwards it was a big sigh of relief. I got a massage and vegged out for a whole weekend afterwards!
Thanks, Nicole!
What a delicious looking salad, Medha! It totally screams summer with those carrot noodles…and pesto! I hear ya about finals. They were such a crazy time, but you know what? I kinda miss those days. Sure, they were long and kinda crappy, but the finality (no pun intended) of wrapping up a course was pretty fun. Enjoy the warmer days and your well-earned break! 🙂
Thanks, David! And yes, the solidarity with everyone else toughing it out is so fun 🙂
Can I just tell you how impressed I am that your still posting during finals?! You rock, girlfriend! Just like this salad! My mouth is watering just thinking about it! Good luck! You got this!!
Haha thanks, Annie!
Who doesn’t love a salad disguised as pasta?!?! This looks amazing, Medha! I’m glad you are finally getting some sunny weather to put a spring in your step. You are so close to a relaxing summer vacation! Good luck with the rest of your exams!
Thanks, Rachelle 🙂
Good luck with finals!!! I always was so stressed out around finals in college – not so much fun! lol But at least they’ll be over soon!
And these carrot noodles sound delicious – yay for anything with pesto!
Thanks so much! 🙂
Sounds like you’ve had a terrific first year and good luck on those finals! You got this! 🙂 And these noodles are the very best kind — healthy and bathing suit friendly. lol They look delicious, Medha!
Thanks!
I’m so digging the idea of pesto made with basil, mint, and spinach. I’m definitely making this soon. Thanks for sharing this incredible recipe M!
Thanks!
It must feel so nice to be done with finals! Enjoy your summer break!
These carrot noodles look amazing. Such pretty colors!
Thank you 🙂
Good luck with finals and bravo for still posting a recipe. You go girl!
Thanks 🙂
Love the carrot noodles here. So fun to eat! And that pesto sauce sounds awesome!
Thank you!
I’m on sucha mediterranean food kick right now. I’d love a plate of this any day of the week!
Thanks, Jessica!
Awesome recipe. And congrats for being done, I am still waiting for them to come 🙁
Greetings from the student kitchen,
Johanna
Oh no! Thanks!
Pesto is a favorite of mine and what better way to eat it than to combine it with noodles!
Thanks, Chineka!