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
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!
Looking for new quick and easy dinner ideas??
Check out these fast, easy, and super delicious dinner ideas! Make extra for lunch the following day to help save time in the morning, and save money!
Super Simple Seared Salmon and Baby Bok Choy
Prep time | 5 minutes |
Cook time | 20 minutes |
Total time | 25 minutes |
Meal type | Main Dish, Side Dish |
Misc | Serve Hot |
Ingredients
- 5oz Salmon fillet, skin on ( based on one per person)
- 1 teaspoon Whole ground mustard ( or to taste)
- 1 teaspoon Honey (per fillet)
- 4 heads Baby Bok Choy (one per person)
- 1/2 tablespoon Grape seed oil (for high heat)
- 1 clove Garlic, minced (or to taste)
- 5oz Salmon fillet, skin on ( based on one per person)
- 1 teaspoon Whole ground mustard ( or to taste)
- 1 teaspoon Honey (per fillet)
- 4 heads Baby Bok Choy (one per person)
- 1/2 tablespoon Grape seed oil (for high heat)
- 1 clove Garlic, minced (or to taste)
Note
This is a quick and easy dinner for any night! Go ahead and cook up more Bok Choy, for lunch leftovers tomorrow!
Directions
Step 1 | |
For salmon: preheat oven to 425F. Rub mustard and honey on flesh of each fillet. (Note: if you don't have honey, any other sweetener, such as maple syrup, agave, or brown sugar will work. Just don't omit, as it causes the browning!). In a pan, over medium high heat, place fillets flesh down. Sauté about 3 minutes, or until browning. Turn fillets over and place entire pan in oven for about 4 minutes. Salmon will be medium rare when albumin (white part) is beginning to flake off. | |
Step 2 | |
For Bok Choy: lightly coat a pan with grape seed oil. Over high heat, add garlic and Bok Choy. Sauté 4-5 minutes. |
Cucumber-Fennel Salad with Herbed Greek Yogurt
Serves | 8-10 |
Prep time | 30 minutes |
Dietary | Vegetarian |
Meal type | Main Dish, Salad, Side Dish |
Misc | Serve Cold |
Website | Foodandwine.com |
Ingredients
- 1 cup Plain, fat free Greek yogurt
- 3 tablespoons White wine vinegar
- 1/2 cup Chopped parsley
- 1/4 cup Snipped chives
- 4 English cucumbers—halved lengthwise, seedeand thinly sliced on a diagonal
- 2 fennel bulbs—halved lengthwise, cored and very thinly sliced
- 7 Celery ribs, thinly sliced crosswise
- 1 cup Scallions, thinly sliced
Note
Add some grilled chicken, seared salmon, or even some white beans and you've got a great meal!
Directions
Step 1 | |
In a large bowl, whisk the Greek yogurt with the white wine vinegar, parsley and chives. Season the dressing with salt and pepper. Fold in the sliced cucumbers, fennel, celery and scallions, season the salad with salt and pepper and serve. |
Chickpea and Red Onion Salad
Serves | 4 |
Prep time | 15 minutes |
Cook time | 15 minutes |
Total time | 30 minutes |
Dietary | Vegetarian |
Meal type | Main Dish, Salad |
Misc | Serve Cold |
Website | Eating well.com |
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup Red onion, slivered
- 1(19oz) can Chickpeas, rinsed and drained
- 1/2 cup Fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 tablespoons Lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Capers, rinsed and chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Lettuce leaves
Note
Add some grilled chicken or fish alongside and you've got great quick and easy meal!
Directions
Step 1 | |
Place onion in a medium bowl, cover with cold water and let soak for 10 minutes. Drain well and place in a salad bowl. Add chickpeas, parsley, lemon juice, oil and capers; stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper. Serve on lettuce leaves. |
Want more? Check out Food & Wine for recipes like Roasted Carrot and Avocado Salad with Citrus Dressing or Eating Well’s Chicken & White Bean Salad!
Blow-your-mind Bison Mealoaf
- On April 30, 2013
- By Lindsay
- In Entrees, Nutrition Education, Quick and Easy, Recipes
- 0
Try this twist on classic meatloaf. Using bison instead of ground beef, and veggies to provide extra fiber…delicious!
Bison Meatloaf
Serves | 8 |
Prep time | 10 minutes |
Cook time | 1 hour, 30 minutes |
Total time | 1 hour, 40 minutes |
Meal type | Main Dish |
Misc | Child Friendly, Freezable, Pre-preparable, Serve Hot |
Website | caloriecount.com |
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground bison
- 1 cup shredded zucchini
- 1/2 cup shredded carrots
- 1/2 cup skim milk
- 1/2 cup whole grain bread crumbs
- 1 egg white
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup low sodium tomato puree
Directions
Step 1 | |
1.Grate carrots and zucchini. 2.Combine all ingredients in large bowl. Pack into a sprayed loaf pan. 3.Bake at 350 for 1 1/4 - 1 1/2 hours, until cooked thoroughly. 4.Spoon tomato puree over the top during the last half hour of baking. |
Quick and easy Chicken and “Dumplings”
- On January 17, 2013
- By Lindsay
- In Entrees, Quick and Easy, Recipes
- 0
In the mood for a “comfort” food? But feeling like you don’t have the time to make it? Try this quick, easy, and healthier classic: Chicken and “Dumplings”! In just about 20 minutes, you’ll have a delicious meal ready to go!
Super-Speedy Chicken and “Dumplings”
Serves | 4 (1 1/2 cup each) |
Prep time | 20 minutes |
Meal type | Main Dish |
Misc | Child Friendly, Serve Hot |
Website | cookinglight.com |
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon SmartBalance butter
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 2 cups boneless and skinless, cooked chicken breast, chopped
- 1 (10oz) box frozen mixed vegetables (ie. carrots, peas, corn, green beans)
- 1 1/2 cup water
- 1 tablespoon flour
- 14 oz fat-free, low-sodium chicken broth
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 bay leaf (optional)
- 4 8-10 inch high fiber, whole wheat tortillas, cut into 1/2 strips
Note
This is a quick and easy recipe to make when you are craving some classic comfort foods, but don't have much time or energy to spare!
Each 1 1/2 cup serving offers
3 oz protein, 1 cup vegetables , 1 grain
Directions
Step 1 | |
Melt SmartBalance in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion and sauté about 5 minutes or until tender. | |
Step 2 | |
Stir in chicken and vegetables. Cook about 3 minutes or until thoroughly heated, stirring constantly. | |
Step 3 | |
In a seperate bowl, combine water, broth, and flour. Gradually stir broth mixture into chicken and vegetables. Add salt, pepper, and bay leaf (if using). Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 3 minutes. | |
Step 4 | |
Add in tortilla strips, and cook another 2-3 minutes, until tortillas soften. Remove from heat and enjoy! |