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Vegetable “noodles” are super trendy, and summer is the best time to make them since the king of veggie noodle — zucchini — is ubiquitous, and inexpensive.
Go ahead and load up, because zucchini is a true powerhouse of vitamins. One cup provides over a third of your daily vitamin C, and about 10 percent of five additional vitamins and minerals, and weighs in at under 20 calories.
While “zoodles” are easily the most popular noodle, noodles can be made from a variety of vegetables. Try other summer squashes, winter squash such as butternut, beet, carrot, sweet potato, and parsnips. Veggie noodles are easy to make, too. You can buy an inexpensive spiralizer to make quick work of cutting perfectly-shaped noodles.
Or, you can even use your vegetable peeler to shave long, thin ribbons from your vegetables; no special equipment needed. Cooking the noodles is quick: usually by steaming or sauteeing briefly. Some veggies, like summer squash, can be left completely raw if you want, and made into a cold summer noodle-like salad.
If you have been seeking the perfect recipe to dip your toe in the veggie noodle world, today’s recipe is perfect. Sunshine Vegetable Ribbons can be made in mere minutes using only a vegetable peeler and a pan as equipment. The flavors are bright and familiar: a little garlic, lemon, toasted pine nuts and nutty parmesan cheese.
Serve this as a pretty first course, as a side dish or even as a vegetarian main course with a thick slice of crusty Italian bread on the side. Once you’ve mastered the vegetable peeler noodle, get creative and explore the endless options for this new technique, swapping in vegetables for pasta in your favorite recipes.
SUNSHINE VEGETABLE RIBBONS
Start to finish: 15 minutes
2 large carrots, peeled
2 crookneck squashes (yellow summer squash)
2 zucchini
2 tsp. olive oil
1 garlic clove, minced
2 Tbsp. lemon juice
2 Tbsp. toasted pine nuts
1 ounce parmesan cheese, shaved into shards with a vegetable peeler
Lemon zest or fresh herbs for garnish, optional
kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Use a vegetable peeler to shave long, thin ribbons (like flat noodles) of the vegetables. (You will likely have a thin core remaining of each vegetable that you’ll have to use for another purpose.)
Heat olive oil over medium heat in a large saute pan. Add garlic and saute for one minute, until fragrant. Add vegetable ribbons, a pinch of salt, and stir. Add lemon juice and cover with a lid for just one minute (or longer if you want very soft ribbons). Remove the lid, and remove from heat.
Serve on four plates, topped with pine nuts, parmesan cheese, black pepper and lemon zest or fresh herbs, if desired.
Servings: 4
Nutrition information per serving: 128 calories; 66 calories from fat; 7 g fat (2 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 6 mg cholesterol; 408 mg sodium; 13 g carbohydrate; 3 g fiber; 7 g sugar; 6 g protein.

At first glance, Tyler Crouch and Carl Johnson may appear to be just out for a leisurely bicycle ride through Morgan City.

But, make no mistake, their mission is a serious one. Their goal is to build strong relationships between the police department and residents.

Crouch and Johnson, both police officers, began patrolling the streets of Morgan City on bicycles Monday. They attended a weeklong training session in New Orleans to become certified with the International Police Mountain Bike Association for their permanent assignment on bicycle patrol.

The Morgan City Police Department previously had officers patrol on bicycles “on a part-time basis,” but Crouch and Johnson are now assigned to bicycle patrol as part of their regular duties, Police Chief James Blair said.

“They’re instructed to patrol the neighborhoods to be more accessible to the public, to check on businesses,” Blair said.

The bicycle patrol won’t replace any of the officers’ normal patrols in Morgan City.

“It’s just enhancing what we already do,” the chief said.

Blair hopes the bicycle patrol will help officers interact more with members of the community.

Both Crouch and Johnson will spend one-third of their patrol hours on bicycles in neighborhoods and around businesses, Blair said.

Crouch said he likes the way patrolling on bicycles gives him a way to personally connect with community members and talk to them about their problems.

“We get a lot closer to them on these bicycles than we do in our units,” Johnson said.

Many times, residents’ only interaction with police officers is when police respond to a complaint. But this method of patrol lets the public see officers in a more positive light, Johnson said.

Officers are able to use all of their senses with the bicycle patrol and are “a lot more approachable” than they would be in police cars, Crouch said. Traveling through the community on bicycles allows officers to be more proactive, build respect with people and make the public more likely to cooperate with police, he said.

In addition to building personal relationships, the bicycle patrol lets residents easily see officers in the community. Crouch hopes that visibility will be a deterrent to crime.

Lt. John Schaff, who’s in charge of the department’s investigations division, said the community is what makes the department successful.

“The more help and support we have with them, the better police department we are,” Schaff said.

As part of that effort to build relationships with members of the community, the department has been hosting neighborhood watch meetings throughout the city during the past year, covering different sections of the city with each meeting.

Police will hold a neighborhood watch meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday for the area of the city bordered by Brashear Avenue to Railroad Avenue and from Front Street to Federal Avenue. The meeting will take place at Doric Lodge 205, 506 Second St.

Five adults and a juvenile were arrested on drug charges at Lake End Park in Morgan City where police were working Fourth of July detail, Police Chief James Blair said in a news release.

—Shawndrick L. Stevenson Jr., 18, of Leona Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 2:18 p.m. Tuesday on charges of possession of marijuana, possession of alprazolam, contributing to the delinquency of juveniles and possession of drug paraphernalia.

—Eldridge M. Lewis Jr., 19, of Mt. Olive Church Lane in Donaldsonville, was arrested at 2:18 p.m. Tuesday on charges of possession of marijuana, possession of alprazolam, contributing to the delinquency of juveniles and possession of drug paraphernalia.

—Major Lewis, 20, of Bowie Street in White Castle, was arrested at 2:18 p.m. Tuesday on charges of possession of marijuana, possession of alprazolam, contributing to the delinquency of juveniles and possession of drug paraphernalia.

—Edward J. Westly Jr., 19, of Tassin Drive in White Castle, was arrested at 2:18 p.m. Tuesday on charges of possession of marijuana, possession of alprazolam, contributing to the delinquency of juveniles and possession of drug paraphernalia.

—A male juvenile, 14, was arrested at 2:18 p.m. Tuesday on charges of possession of marijuana, possession of alprazolam and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Detectives were working Lake End Park detail for the Fourth of July festivities when they came in contact with a vehicle entering the park. Detectives detected a strong odor of marijuana emitting from the vehicle.

Stevenson, Eldridge Lewis Jr., Major Lewis, Westly and a juvenile were identified in the vehicle. Officers located suspected marijuana and alprazolam in the vehicle, Blair said. Stevenson, Eldridge Lewis Jr., Major Lewis and Westly were jailed.

—Darrel Johnson, 48, of St. Joseph Lane in Franklin, was arrested at 3:37 p.m. Tuesday on a charge of possession of marijuana.

Detectives working Lake End Park detail for the Fourth of July festivities detected a strong odor of marijuana emitting from a vehicle. They located Johnson, the occupant of the vehicle. Johnson was in possession of suspected marijuana, Blair said. He was jailed.

Blair reported responding to 72 calls and reported the following arrests:

—Rose W. Trim, 66, of Glenwood Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 11:30 a.m. Monday on a charge of theft by shoplifting.

Patrol officers responded to a local business in the area of La. 182 in regard to a shoplifting complaint. Officers arrived, and Trim was identified as a suspect. Trim allegedly concealed items in her purse totaling $29.39, Blair said. Trim was jailed.

—Shaia Bernauer, 25, of Terrebonne Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 4:32 p.m. Monday on charges of conspiracy to introduce contraband into a penal facility, improper turning and driving under suspension.

—Anthony James, 31, of La. 83 in Franklin, was arrested at 6:23 p.m. Tuesday on a charge of conspiracy to introduce contraband into a penal facility.

Police began an investigation into a possible introduction of contraband into a penal facility. During the investigation, Bernauer and James were developed as suspects. Evidence was uncovered linking Bernauer and James to the crime in an attempt to introduce contraband into the Morgan City jail, Blair said.

Bernauer was observed leaving the area of the Morgan City jail at which time she made an improper turn, Blair said. A stop was initiated, and Bernauer was found to have a suspended driver’s license. Bernauer admitted to the conspiracy and police recovered the package that was going to be introduced, Blair said.

Bernauer was arrested and transported to the Morgan City jail. Warrants were prepared for James’ arrest, who was already incarcerated in the Morgan City jail. He was booked on the additional charges.

—Nicole M. Atkinson, 31, of Keith Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 5:31 p.m. Monday on a warrant charging her with failure to appear for arraignment.

Atkinson was located and arrested in the area of Pecos Street on a city court warrant. Atkinson was jailed.

—Jessica L. Fears, 33, of Roderick Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 7:23 p.m. Monday on charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and violation of uniform controlled dangerous substance law-drug-free-zone.

—Charles A. Duval Jr., 31, of Park Road in Morgan City, was arrested at 7:23 p.m. Monday on charges of possession of methamphetamine, violation of uniform controlled dangerous substance law-drug-free-zone and on a warrant charging him with failure to appear to pay a fine.

Patrol officers responded to a home in the area of Roderick Street in regard to drug activity. Officers arrived and made contact with Fears and Duval, who were in possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, Blair said.

The incident took place in a drug-free zone. Duval also had a warrant for his arrest. Fears and Duval were jailed.

—Joshua P. Francois, 25, of Wren Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 10:23 p.m. Monday on charges of DWI second offense, open container in a motor vehicle and improper lane usage.

Patrol officers observed a vehicle being operated in the area of La. 182 swerving from lane to lane cross the center line. A stop was initiated, and Francois was identified as the operator of the vehicle.

Francois was found to be in an intoxicated state. Francois performed poorly on a field sobriety test, Blair said. Francois was also found to be in possession of an open alcoholic beverage. Upon arrival to the Morgan City jail, Francois submitted to a chemical test and registered 0.105 grams-percent blood alcohol content. Francois was jailed.

—Gail M. Landry, 56, of Tut Street in Pierre Part, was arrested at 12:19 a.m. Tuesday on a charge of resisting an officer.

A patrol officer initiated a stop at Lake End Park. The driver of the vehicle was identified as Landry. Landry was acting in a suspicious manner and began to drive off from the officer, Blair said. The officer ordered Landry to stop several times at which time she refused to comply with the officers.

The vehicle was stopped, and Landry was arrested and jailed.

—James D. Breaux, 43, of Glenwood Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 3:06 a.m. Tuesday on a charge of driving under suspension. Breaux was observed by a patrol officer operating a vehicle under suspension. Breaux was jailed.

—Rigoberto Cruz-Barrios, 31, of Glenwood Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 3:04 a.m. Tuesday on charges of no driver’s license, open container in a motor vehicle and failure to obey traffic controls.

Patrol officers observed a vehicle fail to stop at a red light in the area of La. 182. A stop was initiated and Cruz-Barrios was identified as the operator of the vehicle. Cruz-Barrios didn’t have a valid driver’s license. Officers located an open alcoholic beverage in the vehicle. Cruz-Barrios was jailed.

—Tradasha L. Brooks, 21, of Taft Street in Patterson, was arrested at midnight Wednesday on a charge of disturbing the peace and a 16th Judicial District Court warrant for failure to appear for revocation.

—Christopher D. Woods, 25, of 11th Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 12:31 a.m. Wednesday on a warrant charging him with two counts of failure to appear to pay a fine and on a charge of disturbing the peace.

Brooks and Woods were located and arrested in the area of La. 70 on warrants. During the arrest, Brooks and Woods began to use profanities and cause a disturbance, Blair said. Both suspects were jailed.

—Dillon M. Mosser, 23, of Tupelo Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 2:15 a.m. Wednesday on a charge of disturbing the peace.

Patrol officers responded to a business in the area of La. 182 in regard to a disturbance. Officers arrived and were trying to get everyone involved in the disturbance to leave the area. Mosser continued to cause a disturbance and use profanities, Blair said. Mosser was jailed.

St. Mary Parish Sheriff Mark Hebert reported responding to 79 complaints in the parish and reported the following arrests relating to east St. Mary Parish:

—Kendal Roy, 37, of Airport Road in Jennings, was arrested at 3:46 p.m. Monday on a warrant for failure to appear on the charges of possession of marijuana second offense and possession of methamphetamine.

A correctional officer transported Roy from the Lafayette Parish jail to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center on the warrant. No bail is set.

—Tyler Brewer, 24, of Louisa Street in Patterson, was arrested at 9:38 p.m. Monday on a charge of possession of Xanax.

A deputy was dispatched to a report of a person who had passed out in a vehicle in Franklin on Arlington Road. The deputy located the vehicle and found an unconscious but still breathing man inside. The deputy made contact with the subject and identified him as Brewer.

While speaking to the deputy, Brewer stated that he had taken Xanax. The deputy located several Xanax pills in the vehicle and in Brewer’s pocket.

The deputy transported Brewer to Franklin Foundation Medical Center for medical treatment. After being released from the hospital, Brewer was transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking. Brewer was released on $2,500 bail.

—Sean Finister, 29, of Mars Road in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 11:40 p.m. Tuesday on a charge of possession of a firearm by a person convicted of certain felonies.

A deputy responded to a request to remove a person from a home in Bayou Vista and spoke with the people involved, including Finister.

The deputy collected evidence that Finister, a convicted felon, was in possession of a firearm. The handgun was recovered from the home. Finister was jailed with no bail set.

Berwick Police Chief James Richard reported the following arrests:

—Devin Stansbury, 25, of Wilson Street in Berwick, was arrested at 3:10 p.m. Monday on charges of possession of marijuana, possession of Clonazepam and possession of drug paraphernalia. Stansbury posted $5,750 bail.

—Anthony Henagin, 57, of Bowman Street in Berwick, was arrested at 3:44 p.m. Monday on a charge of simple battery. Henagin posted $301 bail.

—Tammy Adams, 55, of Wilson Street in Berwick, was arrested at 2:56 p.m. Tuesday on warrants charging her with possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Adams posted $3,500 bail.

—Keyontie Lewis, 21, of Weeks Street in New Iberia, was arrested at 6:23 p.m. Tuesday on a charge of possession of marijuana. Lewis posted $2,000 bail.

—Shacoby Johnson, 22, of Laperouse Drive in New Iberia, was arrested at 6:23 p.m. Tuesday on charges of possession of synthetic marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia and stop sign violation. Johnson was awaiting bail to be set.

Patterson Police Chief Patrick LaSalle reported no arrests.