Zucchini, Zucchini, and more Zucchini…what to do with it all?!
Zucchini is in full blast this time of year…so, take advantage of this versatile vegetable! Here are some quick, easy, healthy, AND delicious recipes to try out- of course they all feature ZUCCHINI!!!
For an easy appetizer, try these Zucchini Pizza Bites
Simple Zucchini Pizza Bites
Print recipe
| Prep time | 5 minutes |
| Cook time | 4 minutes |
| Total time | 9 minutes |
| Website | skinnytaste.com |
Ingredients
- zucchini, cut in 1/4-inch slices
- olive oil spray
- marinara sauce
- part-skim shredded mozzarella
- basil, oregano, pepper to taste
Note
This is a simple appetizer recipe that will surely be a hit! Plus its a great way to use extra zucchini, and slash a craving for pizza!
Directions
| Step 1 | |
| Cut zucchini into 1/4-inch thick slices. Lightly spray both sides with olive oil spray. Season with basil, oregano, pepper to taste. Grill or broil zucchini for about 2 minutes on each side. Top with marinara sauce and shredded cheese, and return to grill, or broil for additional 1-2 minutes until cheese is melted. | |
For a main dish…Basil, Shrimp, and Zucchini Pasta!
Basil, Shrimp and Zucchini Pasta
| Serves | 4 |
| Cook time | 35 minutes |
| Meal type | Main Dish |
| Misc | Serve Hot |
| Website | eatingwell.com |
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup fresh basil. chopped
- 8oz tomato sauce
- 2 teaspoons plus 1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1lb peeled and deveined raw shrimp
- 2 cups whole wheat pasta
- 2 zucchini
- salt, pepper, cayenne powder to taste
Directions
| Step 1 | |
| Combine 1/4 cup basil, tomato sauce, 2 teaspoons oil, garlic, salt, pepper and cayenne in a medium bowl. Stir in shrimp; let stand for 10 minute to 30 minutes. | |
| Step 2 | |
| While shrimp is marinating, cook pasta in a large pan of boiling water until just tender(about 8-11 minutes) and drain. | |
| Step 3 | |
| Cut zucchini in quarters lengthwise, and then cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking. Add the shrimp mixture along with zucchini slices. Cook, stirring, until the shrimp are pink and just barely cooked through (3 to 4 minutes). Stir in the pasta and heat, stirring, until piping hot (1 to 2 minutes). Stir in the remaining 1/4 cup basil and season with pepper. | |
And here’s a simple side to go along… Presto-Pesto Zucchini
Presto- Zucchini with Pesto!
| Serves | 4 |
| Prep time | 5 minutes |
| Cook time | 25 minutes |
| Total time | 30 minutes |
| Meal type | Appetizer, Salad, Side Dish |
| Misc | Pre-preparable, Serve Hot |
| Website | eatingwell.com |
Ingredients
- 2 lbs zucchini, cut into 1-inch chunks
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons pesto
- salt and pepper to taste
Directions
| Step 1 | |
| Preheat oven to 500°F. Place baking sheet on oven rack in middle of the oven. In a large bowl, toss zucchini with oil. Spread the zucchini on the preheated baking sheet in a single layer. Roast until beginning to brown (5-7 minutes). Turn the zucchini and continue roasting until just tender (7-9 minutes). Return the zucchini to the bowl. Add pesto, salt and pepper; toss to coat. | |
Of course, we can’t forget dessert! Zippy Zucchini Bread!!
Zippy Zucchini Bread
| Serves | 12 |
| Prep time | 10 minutes |
| Cook time | 50 minutes |
| Total time | 1 hour |
| Meal type | Bread, Breakfast, Dessert, Snack |
| Misc | Child Friendly, Freezable |
| By author | Lindsay Lawes, MS, RD |
Ingredients
- 1 Medium overripe banana, mashed
- 1 Egg, or equivalent egg substitute
- 2 tablespoons plus 2 Teaspoons Truvia Baking Blend
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2/3 cups low-fat or fat-free milk
- 1 3/4 cup whole wheat flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon gound cinnamon
- 1 1/2 cup grated zucchini
- 1/3 cup chopped walnuts
- 1/3 cup dark chocolate chips
Note
This super easy, and extremely delicious zucchini bread is incredibly low in sugar and fat. With 100kcal, 1.5g of fat, 20g carbs, 3g fiber, 4g sugar, and 4g protein in 1/12th of the loaf, this makes a great alternative for your typical zucchini bread loaded with sugar, butter, and white flour. Enjoy with a cold glass of low-fat milk, a smear of nut butter, or simply on its own!
Directions
| Step 1 | |
| Preheat oven to 365F. In a large bowl, mash banana. Mix in vanilla, egg, milk, and Truvia until well-blended. Add dry ingredients, until mixed thoroughly. Fold in zucchini, walnuts, and chocolate chips. Pour batter into sprayed loaf pan. Bake 45-50 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through. | |
Before you know it…your abundance of zucchini will be gone!
Groovy Granola
Looking for a quick, easy and delicious granola recipe? Give this one a try! A few basic ingredients, and then you add your favorite nut or seeds, and dried fruit. Flax meal adds an extra boost of omega 3’s!
Groovy Granola
| Serves | 4 cups |
| Prep time | 5 minutes |
| Cook time | 30 minutes |
| Total time | 35 minutes |
| Meal type | Breakfast, Snack |
| Misc | Child Friendly, Pre-preparable |
Ingredients
- 3 cups rolled oats
- 1 cup nuts and/or seeds
- 1/2 cup unsweetened dried shredded coconut
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
- 1/2 cup raisins or other dried fruit
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup flax meal
- dash salt
Directions
| Step 1 | |
| Preheat oven to 350° F. Combine oats, nuts, coconut, cinnamon, sweetener and salt in a large heatproof bowl. | |
| Step 2 | |
| Spread evenly onto a large rimmed cookie sheet. Bake for about 30 minutes, stirring it every 10 minutes to brown evenly. | |
| Step 3 | |
| Transfer the cooked granola from the cookie sheet back to the bowl.Add flax meal. Drizzle with vanilla and allow to cool. Mix in the dried fruit. | |
| Step 4 | |
| Enjoy! (Place remaining in a cool and dry place) | |
Spring is here! Add some green to your meal!
Are you looking for some green to add to your favorite Easter or Passover meal? Here’s a healthy and lower calorie dish that has both lean protein from eggs, and fiber from zucchini to help balance out your meal! Try others variations, like adding bell peppers, scallions, or sliced mushrooms to boost your veggie intake even further!
Zucchini Souffle
| Serves | 8-10 |
| Prep time | 15 minutes |
| Cook time | 1 hour |
| Total time | 1 hour, 15 minutes |
| Meal type | Appetizer, Main Dish, Side Dish |
| Misc | Child Friendly |
Ingredients
- 1 small onion, peeled and diced
- 3-4 zucchini, grated
- 2 eggs + 2 egg whites (or 4 oz egg sub)
- 8 oz Farmers cheese (or goat cheese)
- 2 Tb flour
- salt and pepper to taste
Directions
| Step 1 | |
| Preheat oven to 350F. Spray a 9x13" baking dish. | |
| Step 2 | |
| Saute onion and set aside. | |
| Step 3 | |
| Squeeze excess liquid from grated zucchini. | |
| Step 4 | |
| In a small bowl, combine eggs and cheese. Add in flour, salt, and pepper. Mix in zucchini and onions until well combined. | |
| Step 5 | |
| Pour into baking dish and bake for about 1 hour. | |
Always in a rush in the mornings…?
Perhaps skipping breakfast and maybe making less-healthy choices throughout the day?
Here is a quick and easy recipe for freezable breakfast burritos. Much less expensive than typical store bought frozen burritos, plus they are not filled with preservatives and unknown ingredients. Make a batch when you have some free time, and you will no longer have an excuse to be skipping out on a protein packed breakfast!
Omit the ground turkey and add black beans instead for a vegetarian-friendly burrito. Add extra veggies of your liking for more fiber and nutrients.
Each burrito offers: 1 grain/starch, 2.5 oz protein, 1 dairy, and 1 non-starchy vegetable (when you add the veggies you like, of course!)
(Easy-Freezable) Breakfast Burritos
| Serves | 12 |
| Prep time | 15 minutes |
| Meal type | Breakfast, Main Dish |
| Misc | Child Friendly, Freezable, Pre-preparable, Serve Hot |
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lbs, lean ground turkey
- 12 Flat-Out Wraps, or Mission Low-carb whole wheat tortillas
- 12 egg whites, or about 3 cups egg-substitute
- 3 cups shredded low-fat cheese
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 1 cup chopped red or green bell pepper
- 1 cup chopped mushrooms
- salsa
- taco seasoning or chili powder, to taste
- finely chopped jalapeno
- No-Salt seasoning (Mrs. Dash), to taste
- black pepper, to taste
Note
Nutrition per burrito:
1 grain/starch
2.5 oz protein
1 dairy
1 non-starchy vegetable- when veggies included!
Directions
| Step 1 | |
| In a large non stick skillet, cook ground turkey until browned. | |
| Step 2 | |
| Add in egg sub, and any vegetables. Cook until eggs are solidified. | |
| Step 3 | |
| Lay out tortillas on a sheet pan. Spoon egg/turkey/veggie evenly on middle of all tortillas. | |
| Step 4 | |
| Sprinkle with cheese, and salsa if using. Roll tortillas. | |
| Step 5 | |
| Place in freezer. When frozen, wrap individually in Saran Wrap or in zip lock bags. | |
| Step 6 | |
| When ready to eat, remove from freeze, unwrap, place loosely in a paper towel and microwave 1 1/2 to 2 minutes. | |