If you’re a pasta lover, then you’ll love having this Keto Shrimp Scampi for dinner. It is very delicious and won’t take up much of your time to make.
It’s the perfect low carb dinner to prepare after a busy day. Made with zucchini noodles (courgette noodles), one of the best low carb vegetables for keto, this Keto Shrimp Scampi Recipe from Rachael of EZPZ Mealz is a great meal to add to your low carb diet.
Scampi means different things in different countries. It usually refers to large shrimp in the United States or Canada. In Italy however it’s the name for smaller versions of the lobster family, also known as Dublin Bay prawns, Norway lobsters or, langoustines in France.
This dish can make a nice change from meat providing you get good quality shrimp. What do I mean by good quality shrimp?
Beware of Farmed Shrimp
A report from Oceana found that 30% of 143 shrimp products tested from 111 grocery stores and restaurants were misrepresented. They discovered that shrimp being sold as being wild or from the Gulf were actually farmed.
What’s wrong with farmed shrimp? Fish farms use antibiotics, fungicides, and other harmful chemicals which can get into the fish. It’s best to make sure that you buy from a reputable supplier. Even some wild shrimp were found to contain antibiotic residue!
As if that is not enough a 2015 report from Consumer Reports stated that raw shrimps that were tested were tainted with bacteria, including some with a dangerous, drug-resistant strain.
Raw, wild-caught shrimp from Argentina and the United States were the least likely to be tainted. These are obviously the best ones to look out for.
Health benefits of Shrimp
In spite of that when you can source good quality shrimp it’s very healthy. Shrimp contains omega 3 fats, Vitamin D, the minerals selenium, iodine and zinc, some B vitamins and the antioxidant astaxanthin which gives the shellfish its pink color.
Shrimp is often on the list of foods to avoid for people with high cholesterol but in fact it is low very low in saturated fat and doesn’t contain trans fat (bad fat for you and your heart) — unless it’s been fried or cooked in a way that adds trans fat. (not this recipe).
In fact researchers have found that shrimp can actually raise your HDL (good cholesterol). In one study adults who had 300 grams of shrimp daily increased their HDL cholesterol levels by 12% and decreased their triglycerides (blood fats) by 13%.
Carbohydrates, and not fats, are now considered to be the cause of heart disease and diabetes as you probably know if you arrived here because you are already following a low carb or keto diet.
Related reading: Doesn’t A High Fat Diet Clog Up Your Arteries?
Like recipes using zucchini noodles? Check out these:
Low Carb Zucchini Spaghetti with Tomato and Feta
Vegan Pesto Spaghetti with Mushrooms & Olives
Low Carb Zucchini Pasta With Avocado Sauce Recipe
Here’s the recipe.
Keto Shrimp Scampi
Ingredients
• 1 lb. medium-sized raw shrimps, peeled and deveined
• 2 tbsp. grass-fed butter
• 1 1/2 lbs. spiraled zucchini (courgettes)
• 3 tbsp. minced garlic
• 2 tbsp. grated Parmesan
• 2 tbsp. chopped fresh basil leaves
• ¼ cup seafood, vegetable, or chicken stock
• ½ tsp. red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 tbsp. chopped parsley
• 1 Organic lemon, zested
• 1 Organic lemon, juiced
• Himalayan salt and pepper to taste
Directions
1. Over medium heat, melt the butter in a skillet. Cook the shrimps gently, along with red pepper flakes and garlic for 2 -3 minutes until pink.
2. Remove the shrimps from the pan.
3. Stir in lemon juice, lemon zest, and stock then season with salt & pepper.
4. Bring to a simmer and stir in the zucchini noodles. Cook for 1 – 2 min more.
5. Put the shrimps back to briefly reheat but take care not to overcook or the shrimps will be tough. Remove the pan from heat.
6. Place the Keto Shrimp Scampi on a serving plate and garnish with basil, parsley, and some grated Parmesan.
Here is Rachel’s demo video of the recipe:
