Spiralize your zucchini and place them in a large colander in your kitchen sink or a large bowl. Sprinkle with the salt to force excess moisture to release. Set aside for at least 20 minutes. You will notice the zucchini will reduce which will prevent watery noodles later.
Heat the pesto over medium high heat, in a large skillet, and then add the spiralized zucchini and red pepper flakes, if using. Sauté the noodles for 2-4 minutes until heated through, but do not overcook.
Turn off the heat and add the tomatoes, mix, and serve with extra red pepper flakes, fresh herbs, or parmesan cheese, if desired.
Notes
For ease of spiralizing, use zucchini that are narrow, long, and straight. Or you may purchase pre-spiralized zucchini noodles from your grocery store to save time.Don't skip the salting! This step is important to prevent watery noodles after cooking. You want to reduce the zucchini to remove excess moisture.Do NOT overcook the noodles. You want the noodles tender but crisp, and not overly soft, for the best texture and to mimic ‘al dente’ pasta.For less spice, reduce the red pepper flakes by half, or adjust to your taste.You may spiralize the noodles for up to 3 days before salting and cooking and store them in a sealed container or zip-top bag in your fridge.Once cooked, leftovers keep refrigerated for 3-4 days in a sealed container. Reheat on the stovetop, but be careful not to overcook.