Zucchini must be one of the most adaptable vegetables there is. We eat a ton of vegetables in our house, in fact when in season I’d easily eat zucchini almost every single day. We’re nearing the end of zucchini season here in Tasmania, though it’s not too long until it all starts over once again.
Here are some of my favorite ways to enjoy zucchini’s….
1. Whip up a decadant chocolate zucchini pudding
All things taste better when combined with chocolate (well… most things!) and zucchini is no exception to that rule. One of my favorite sweet treats is super healthy Chocolate + Zucchini Pudding which not only contains zucchini, but is also vegan, dairy and grain free and has no refined sugars.
2. Make some zucchini soup
Soup can be so perfectly simple, and a great fail-proof option for the novice cook – simply bung all ingredients into a pot with some stock and seasonsings and simmer away. Zucchini makes a great addition to soups, either smooth and creamy or chunky on its own, or coupled with other ingredients and flavours.
3. Turn that zucchini into zoodles
Or “zucchini noodles”, if you will. As annoying as the moniker of these is, they are such a great way to easily include more vegetables in your diet. You can make noodles out of zucchini with a spiraliser or by using a vegetable peeler to create thin strips (a la fettucine). Serve either warm or cold in place of (or alongside) grain-based noodles.
4. Pickle it!
Zucchini pickles are delicious – crisp and tangy, perfect on top of some crusty sourdough with a slice of your favorite cheese.
5. Sweet or savoury zucchini bread
Zucchini works great in either sweet or savoury breads and loaves. If going down the sweet round, try pairing it with a little raw cacao for a moist and decadant loaf.
6. Add them to smoothies
Zucchini is a great to add to smoothies as the taste is subtle and the texture is somewhat creamy. The perfect addition to your favorite smoothie recipe!
7. Make zucchini chips
Zucchini can be either breaded and baked to turn into oven fries, or thinly slices and fried to make crisps. Eat your crisps as they are, or turn it into a salad like my fried Zucchini, Basil and Quinoa Salad with Broccoli Pesto
8. Use it to make your favorite dip
Did you know that zucchini can be substitued into many great dip recipes? Think zucchini hummus, baba ghannouj and even pesto! These dips can be eaten as is, or slathered over some (cooked or raw) zucchini noodles for a double-zucchini delight.
9. Don’t forget about the zucchini blossoms!
Zucchini flowers are not only incredibly pretty, they also have a lovely delicate flavour to them. Fry in a little oil and toss through cooked pasta (or zucchini noodles!) or stuff them and bake.
10. Get your ‘zoats’ on!
Grate zome zucchini into your morning oats dish – either porridge or baked oats work great with some flecked zucchini stirred through. This method works best when the zucchini is finely grated sothat it melts into the oats (I find my Microplane zester works best for this).
Tell me – What’s your favorite way to enjoy zucchini?
This is a great new series Dearna. You’re so right, we get stuck in ruts cooking certain vegetables only one way. You’ve inspired me to branch out with zucchini. Have been meaning to make zucchini noodles for the longest. This is my week!
Zucchini has to be one of my favourite vegetables ever. So versatile! And how honored I am to be “representing” zoats here :) The best ever breakfast!