Im all for trying to sneak vegetables into food where you wouldn’t normally find them, and this is the perfect example of how you can include vegetables in something without it effecting the taste, which is particular useful for anyone trying to incorporate more vegetables into their diet.
Even if this isn’t you, don’t let the zucchini in this recipe put you off – you wont even taste it in this deliciously rich, creamy and chocolatey pudding, which means you still get a dose of veggies without even noticing – how’s that for value!?
This delicious pudding is packed full of healthy fats, fibre and is high in antioxidants – making it the perfect breakfast pudding. It comes together in no time and can easily be made a day or two ahead of time. It tastes amazing topped with my crunchy Cacao Pops. It also works as a dessert in the evenings, topped with shredded coconut, chopped nuts or berries, or as a snack in the afternoon… Lets face it, anything chocolatey – not to mention healthy! – is great any time of the day :)
Update August 2015:
Since originally creating this recipe back in March 2014, it’s been one of my most loved recipes on here and also one I enjoy myself quite a bit. Since first publishing it, I’ve played around with some of the flavourings and thought I’d share them with you here.
1. Nut free version – use some seeds in place of the walnuts
2. Super(food)size it – top with goji berries, bee pollen, and cacao nibs
3. Add a little flavour – blend through some orange, raspberries, cardamom or extra dates for a flavour boost
4. More decadent – add 1 Tbsp thick coconut cream, 2 tsp raw honey and an extra Tbsp raw cacao – this will give you a more rich result perfect for dessert rather than a snack or breakfast dish.
- ½ cup raw zucchini, chopped
- 1 ripe banana, chopped
- ½ cup almond milk (or milk of choice)
- ½ cup walnuts
- ½ ripe avocado
- 2 - 3 Tbsp raw cacao
- 1 medjool date, soaked in ½ cup water
- Optional: 1 tsp cinnamon, 1 tsp mesquite powder
- If the date isn't soft, place it in ⅓ cup of hot water and leave at least 10 minutes to soak. Drain.
- Add all ingredients to a high-powered blender and blend until smooth and fluffy.
yes pleaaaaaassse! i am such a chocoholic so these would go down a treat. particularly as a they are a bit healthier with the zucchini! thanks for sharing x
I love this pudding. I also like to “incorporate” veggies in desserts. Mesmerizing pictures!
Thanks Daniela – and thanks for stopping by :)
I happen to LOVE zucchini and chocolate AND pudding… I might be a rather rotund kid at heart ;)
This recipe sounds awesome. Pineapple also hides things well. For a lower calorie version … have you ever heard of Just Great Stuff Powdered Peanut Butter? It comes in regular peanut butter and chocolate flavor and it’s AMAZING. It’s low cal and has no fat but it’s exactly the same as peanut butter… I even added water to it and ate it with apples and it tasted exactly the same as regular peanut butter to me. Put it in shakes and smoothies and it is soooo good.
It’s changed my life. I’m not even joking. :)
Oh: silly me… link to the peanut butter:
http://www.amazon.com/Just-Great-Stuff-Powdered-Chocolate/dp/B00CF0ISQQ/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1395869438&sr=8-3&keywords=betty+lou%27s+just+great+stuff
I hope this doesn’t get tossed in the spam comments folder!
Delicious! I love making chocolate mousse with avocado but must try it with zucchini and walnuts. Love the idea, Dearna!
This is such a fun and interesting idea. The pudding looks scrumptious!
Yumm! I saw the pic on Instagram and this chocolate pudding looks amazing. I could eat healthy chocolate pudding all the time. Looks so good!
Cries because I’m having breakfast right now and it’s not this :'( It looks beyond terrific and the addition of zucchini is brilliant! xx
Wow this is such an interesting recipe! I actually can’t wait to try this out :)
Hope you like it Lillian :)
I FINALLY got to try this and gosh, it’s delicious. Definitely one of the best chocolate puddings I’ve ever had! Thanks so so much for sharing. I’m definitely making this again :D
Have a lovely week!
Thank you so much Josefine, so glad you liked it! xx
I’d like to try it, but I need to know what the serving size and number of servings for this recipe is.
Hi Barbara, this is 1 – 2 servings. If I eat it by itself as a meal for breakfast, I would eat the whole lot, however you could also stretch it out over two serves topped with yoghurt, berries, cacao pops etc
This is fantastic! I use a lot of zucchini in my raw recipes, but never made a pudding with it. I will definitely try this. Very tempting.
Warm greetings – Dominique
Thanks Dominique – it blends in so perfectly, you can barely taste it. I now add it to a lot of my sweet dishes :) Hope you like it as much as I do!
Love the new photos, Dearna!
Thanks so much Liberty :)
This pudding looks AMAZING!! I can’t believe you snuck zucchini in there :D
Thanks Sarah! It’s a great way to sneak in a little veg – you can’t even notice it!
I never would have thought to have something like this for breakfast.. but now that I have seen the recipe it is definitely getting made in my kitchen!
Thanks so much Thalia – I hope you like it :)
Pls how many calories does the above recipe have?
Hi Swarna, sorry but I don’t count calories, so I am unable to tell you this. If you put the ingredients into a calorie counter app or website I’m sure you’d be able to get your answer :)
I’m allergic to avocado, would the recipe still work if I leave them out, looks great
Hi Meredith, the avocado makes the pudding really nice and creamy – you could make it without and it would still be nice, only not as creamy. You could try using a little coconut cream to add back a little of the creaminess – D x
Can I make it without dates? they are too expensive around here.
yes of course! I’d just sweeten with honey or maple syrup instead :)
Oh my god, I just made this and it is SERIOUSLY delicious! I love making these healthy treats, and I always accept that they don’t really taste that well, but THIS – and I am not kidding – is so good, that I would without a blink serve it to the most health-averse of my friends :)
I added Cinnamon, cardamom and a dash of chilli for an extra kick. I’m guessing pomegranate would be the perfect topping as it is fresh and crunchy. Mmmmmmmh I’m hooked!
Thank you so much for this lovely feedback Florentina! You’ve put a big smile on my face :) I knew I was on to something when my boyfriend gulped it up without questioning it ;) I love your flavour add-ins – cardamom and chilli with chocolate are a match made in heaven! xx