This delicious, light, tasty and easy Zoodle recipe not only tastes great, but its sure to impress. Plus its…
- Low Calorie
- Gluten Free
- High in Fibre
- Diabetic friendly
- Quick to make
- Super healthy
- Weight loss
- Low carb
- Vegan on Budget
- Perfect for one
- Perfect for hosting
How did Zucchini’s come about
Zucchini’s also known, as “courgette” is a summer squash. Zucchini’s can be dark or light green and even is a deep yellow or orange colour. In culinary context a zucchini is a vegetable however botanically, a zucchini is actually a fruit! And like most other squashes it has its ancestry in the Americas, however Zucchini’s were developed in Italy, and used in their cooking. The name Zucchini actually derived from the Italian word for pumpkin and squash.
Now why should you include this Vegetable in your diet?
Vitamin C
Ditch all your vitamin c supplements, and keep money in your pocket because you’re easily getting your daily recommendation in just 3 little zucchinis. Meaning 1 small zucchini has a whopping 17.9mg.
Plus consuming enough vitamin C, a high antioxidant, helps protect you against immune system deficiencies, cardiovascular disease, skin wrinkling, and also against the potential of developing cancers.
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 is used to cure more than 100 different health conditions! It covers a whole range of both physical and psychological disorders, from heart disease to depression. In just 100g of zucchini you’re getting 13% of your daily intake and as a result you’re reducing your risk of heart disease, heart attack, lowering your blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Not only this but it also reduces PMS symptoms, and helps prevent mental depression!
Manganese
Manganese is found in several nuts, seeds, legumes, whole grains, dark leafy green veggies and zucchini. This important mineral is used for weak bones and anaemia, plus symptoms of PMS. It also helps process cholesterol, carbs, and protein for energy. You only require 11mg a day of manganese, and 8% of that will come from consuming just 1 zucchini!
How regularly should you eat them?
Zucchini’s are so low in calorie, jam-packed with important vitamins and minerals, plus contain heaps of fibre, that you’re able to consume as much as you want! This veg is perfect for use in many different savoury and sweet dishes. It is a vegetable you won’t require to watch your intake for.
The best way to consume them
Zucchini’s are perfect for anytime of day! Meaning you can enjoy them for breakfast with eggs/scrambled tofu, for a snack in the form of “zucchini chips” or savoury zucchini muffins, for lunch/dinner as “Zoodles”, for a low carb and low calories alternative to pasta and noodles, plus for dessert in your chocolate brownies! Literally anytime of day is a good time for zucchini.
One of my all time favorite ways to consume a good amount of zucchini is as Zoodles!
The texture is amazing, the vegetable absorbs any flavor right up and it keeps me satisfied and full from very little calories…I love it!
Here is my favorite recipe of vegan noodles:
Raw Vegan Zoodles with Fresh Tomato Salsa
Serves 1
(258 calories, 5.6g fat, 0.8g saturated, 45.3g carbs, 8.5g fibre, 3.4g sugar, 11.9g protein)
Ingredients:
- 2 small zucchini, spiralled
- 3 large roma/round tomatoes, seeded and diced
- 1/2 cup white navy beans
- Handful of fresh basil, roughly chopped
- 1 tsp. dried oregano
- 1 tsp. olive oil
- 1 garlic clove, sliced
- Sea Salt & Cracked pepper
Directions:
- Spiral your zucchini into noodles, put aside in a medium bowl
- Combine well your diced and seeded tomatoes to a small mixing bowl with basil, garlic, salt and pepper and 1 tsp. olive oil
- Mix Zoodles with 1 tsp. olive oil and oregano
- Combine tomato mixture with zucchini and serve in a bowl to enjoy!
- Add Parmesan or goat cheese for non-vegan option (optional)
Note: If preferred, before serving, you could cook this dish in a pan to serve it warm!
Question of the day:
What’s the tastiest Zoodle recipe You’ve tried?
Here are more zucchini amazing recipes you might be interested in.