It’s National Sneak Some Zucchini Onto Your Neighbor’s Porch Day! (There really is a day for everything, apparently).
Apart from the hilarity of playing ding dong ditch with some nice zucchinis, today is a momentous occasion because it shines the spotlight on an all-star vegetable (or, if you want to be botanically correct, fruit). This garden-fresh summer squash grows like crazy (fun fact: the longest zucchini in the world was 8 ft 3.3 in--imagine leaving that for your neighbor to find!), is low in calories, tastes delicious, and is good for you.
Some of zucchini’s health benefits include:
- They contain no saturated fats or cholesterol (so they’re a great vegetable to include in your diet if you’re trying to lose weight or control your cholesterol).
- The peel is a good source of fiber.
- They are rich in flavonoids and antioxidants (which help relieve oxidative stress).
- They’re a great source of heart-healthy potassium.
- They contain vitamins A and C as well as B vitamins .
- They’re a good source of minerals like iron, zinc, manganese, and phosphorus.
And you can do so much with this summer crop!
Bring a healthy twist to any spaghetti dish by making zucchini noodles (“zoodles,” if you will). Chop some fresh, tender zucchini and add it to your salad. Put on your baker’s hat and whip up some zucchini bread. Use this A+ ingredient in soups and sautés.
Here are some of our favorite zucchini-themed recipes:
Healthy Vegetable Lasagna
A hardy, classic pasta dish. This lasagna is bursting with flavor, and zucchini is just one of the sensational vegetables in this mouth-watering medley!
Vegetable Lentil Stew
This robust stew is full of broccoli, lentils, zucchini, and other tender veggies.
Ultimate Chocolate Cake
A fudgey chocolate cake with chocolate nut icing. It doesn’t taste healthy, but this dessert is packed with nutrients!
Veggie Fajitas
These tasty fajitas are filled with portobello mushrooms, peppers, zucchini, and onions.
Now get out there and sneak some zucchini onto your neighbor's porch!
