Happy National Zucchini Day
Yes, there really is a national zucchini day!
Zucchini might be my favorite vegetable. It is so versatile. It’s easy to get all year round, but man is it everywhere in the summer! I can’t get enough, which is good because if you have anyone around you who grows a garden in the summer, you know how much zucchini they end up giving away. And I am there to accept it with open arms!
One reason that zucchini can be so useful is that it’s great in low carb recipes. If you’re struggling to manage your diabetes, you can use zucchini in unique ways to take the place of higher carbohydrate foods (like potatoes and pasta).
So here you go, 5 zucchini recipes to try, in honor of National Zucchini Day.
Baked Zucchini Fries
Photo credit Kaitlin Eckstein
Need a side dish to go with your burger? Why not try zucchini fries? If you’re counting carbs, you probably know that the hamburger bun and the potato fries count towards your total carbohydrate. You can cut down the carbs by using zucchini instead! The fact that they’re baked instead of fried cuts down on the fat content as well, making them a heart healthy alternative to fries. Find the recipe here.
Zucchini Hash Browns
We recently offered a food demonstration at Wellness House of Annapolis, and these zucchini hash browns stole the show! They’re crisp and have great flavor, making them an easy swap for potato hash browns. They work great as a side dish for any meal! Find the recipe here.
Zucchini Noodles
The spiralizer is a gadget that is taking the vegetable world by storm. It is a nifty gadget and well worth the cost. I love spiralizing vegetables, but I especially love zucchini noodles (fondly known as zoodles). These can be used with pasta or instead of pasta, depending on your carbohydrate goals. They also make for a crunchy addition to salads! Check out these recipes below!
Whole Grain Spaghetti with Zucchini and Ragu Sauce
Ginger Chicken Zoodles
Photo by Kaitlin Eckstein
Zucchini Pizza Bites
Pizza is my favorite food, so anything made into pizza form is a winner in my book. Pizza bites can be a simple appetizer, but are also great for kids to increase their veggie intake! Find the recipe here.
What are your favorite ways to use zucchini? Let us know!
Updated December 2019
An award winning recipe developer, Dietitian Kaitlin’s mission is to empower others to reach their health goals by encouraging them to get back into the kitchen. Co-author of Nourished: 10 Ingredients to Happy, Healthy Eating and Cooking with Diabetes.
