Fortunately, we’ve teamed up with Yumna Jawad of Feel Good Foodie to spotlight 5 of her all-time favourite, simple zucchini recipes that spotlight to have fun the quintessential summertime ingredient. Plus, we caught up with Amy Shapiro, MS, RD, CDN, a registered dietitian and the founder and director of Real Nutrition, who shared a number of the key methods zucchini is nice for general well being.
Well being advantages of zucchini, in response to a registered dietitian
It is anti-inflammatory
No matter approach you slice it, zucchini is scrumptious and filled with vitamins. “Zucchini is a great source of vitamin A, which is necessary for pores and skin well being. In truth, one cup gives 40 % of the every day beneficial dietary allowance,” Shapiro says. What’s extra, zucchini is wealthy in antioxidants—two of them embody zeaxanthin and beta-carotene, which promote eye and pores and skin well being and assist struggle free radicals and cut back oxidative stress on cells.
Zucchini is filled with hydration-boosting potential, too
And there’s no denying that as warmth waves come and go all through the summer season, our hydration ranges can begin to take a toll. That’s why Shapiro says zucchini is a superb choice for replenishing misplaced hydration (for context, zucchini is comprised of 95 % H2O).
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…And it is nice for intestine well being
Lastly, this fruit is good for selling digestion because of its excessive water and fiber content material. To that finish, Shapiro recommends including them to smoothies—it’s a fruit, in spite of everything—as it could actually increase diet and hydration with one fast pulse. For finest outcomes, freeze them earlier than mixing.
5 simple zucchini recipes to have fun the season’s harvest
1. Lemon Zucchini Bread
Consider this lemon zucchini bread as the proper summery model of a year-round traditional. Certainly, nearly all of (albeit scrumptious) zucchini bread recipes are inclined to err on the facet of heat, spicy, and nutty. This recipe has all of these great-tasting flavors plus the sunshine and refreshing pizzazz of tangy, longevity-boosting lemon. Jawad provides lemon zest to the zucchini bread batter, a barely distinctive strategy in comparison with different zucchini bread recipes. However what actually units this loaf aside is the home made lemon glaze drizzled overtop that’s the proper praise to moist and luscious zucchini bread. Swoon.
Get the recipe: Lemon Zucchini Bread
2. Quinoa-Stuffed Zucchini Boats
Protein is the secret relating to these quinoa-stuffed zucchini boats (one cup of quinoa has over eight grams of protein). Relatively than stuffing zucchini boats with the same old floor beef or poultry, Jawad makes a shallot, tomato, and quinoa stuffing that’s satisfying and hearty. Though the recipe requires goat cheese, be happy to omit it for a vegan-friendly zucchini recipe modification.
Get the recipe: Quinoa-Stuffed Zucchini Boats
3. Zucchini Fritters
Not sure of what to make for a weekend brunch? These zucchini fritters are the proper choice. They’re mild, ethereal, and crispy, made with a grated zucchini patty flavored with seasonings like garlic and onion powder earlier than being fried ever so barely to attain the proper crunch. Then, to stability out all of the flavors, Jawad pairs the fritters with a facet of home made labneh dip made out of labneh, cilantro, garlic powder, and lime juice. All to say: It’s the epitome of consolation meals.
Get the recipe: Zucchini Fritters
4. Zucchini Enchiladas
In search of a low-carb meal choice? Say no extra. These zucchini enchiladas swap out tortillas for thinly-sliced zucchini that homes a scrumptious cumin and chili powder seasoned shredded rooster filling. Yep, we’re formally drooling. Plus, you possibly can replicate the identical idea to make nearly any variation of those stuffed zucchini roll-ups your coronary heart wishes. Suppose: Zucchini lasagna roll-ups made with a creamy and dreamy Pomodoro sauce and contemporary mozzarella cheese.
Get the recipe: Zucchini Enchiladas
5. Vegan Zucchini Brownies
Should you’re of the opinion {that a} meal isn’t full with out one thing candy to seal the deal, we hear you. So, allow us to introduce you to Jawad’s (genius) vegan zucchini brownie recipe filled with fiber and tons of chocolatey goodness. Want I say extra? Pair it with a scoop of your favourite alt-milk ice cream, and also you’ve unlocked heaven on Earth.
Get the recipe: Zucchini Brownies
Simple gluten-free zucchini bread, anybody?:
