What fruit fills you up and discourages overeating?  Zucchini!  How can this happen?  While often thought of as a vegetable, zucchini is actually a low-starch fruit (meaning it is low in carbohydrates and high in fiber).  Dietary fiber increases food volume without increasing caloric content, making you feel full, which may reduce your appetite.

Health Benefits of Zucchini

cooked zucchiniZucchini has many health benefits.  It is also low in cholesterol, sodium, and fat.  It helps maintain a balance of carbohydrates – a requirement for ideal heart health.  Its high fiber content has been associated with significantly lower risks of developing stroke, high blood pressure and heart disease.  The fiber in this fruit may also increase insulin sensitivity and stabilize blood sugar levels, possibly reducing your risk of type 2 diabetes.

Zucchini is rich in several vitamins, minerals, and other valuable plant compounds.  Specifically, its abundant vitamin A content may support your vision and immune system.  But be careful how you prepare zucchini as raw zucchini offers a similar nutrition profile as cooked zucchini, but with less vitamin A and more vitamin C, a nutrient that tends to be reduced by cooking.

Zucchini is also rich in antioxidants, which help protect your body from damage.  These antioxidants may benefit your eyes, skin and heart; they also offer some protection against certain types of cancer.  The highest levels of antioxidants are found in the fruit’s skin.

Because of the water and fiber found in zucchini, this fruit promotes healthy digestion, reducing your risk of constipation and symptoms of various gut disorders.

Preparing Zucchini

 Try to incorporate it into your meals in some of these ways:

  • Add it raw to salads
  • Stuff with healthy protein or vegetables, then bake it
  • For a mild stir-fry, sauté it
  • Boil it, then blend it into soups
  • Serve it as a side, grilled or sautéed with your favorite spice blends
  • Spiralize it into “zoodles” for spaghetti and meat sauce, or slice it to replace lasagna sheets
  • Bake it into approved bread, pancakes or muffins

In some cultures, the zucchini flower is considered a delicacy. You can sprinkle it raw on salads, soups and stews.

Storing Zucchini

Store unwashed zucchini on your counter for about two weeks.  Or store in a perforated or open plastic bag for up to a week in the refrigerator.  You can also freeze zucchini for later use. There are a couple of ways to prepare the zucchini for the freezer.

  1. Shred unpeeled zucchini, drain it in a colander and then squeeze it gently to remove excess moisture. Place it in sealed freezer bags and freeze flat so the bags can stack in the freezer. Shredding is a great way to freeze if you will be making a casserole, meatballs or fritters.
  2. You can also wash the fruit, dry it thoroughly, cut it into one-inch cubes, and freeze it in freezer bags. Either way, frozen zucchini lasts up to 3 months.

growing zucchiniGrowing Zucchini

Have you ever thought about growing your own zucchini?  Here are a few facts if you ever get the itch:

 

Here is a customer-favorite recipe from our meal delivery company, Feed Your Vitality, containing zucchini.  We love Pulled Pork Zucchini Boats as an entree but prepare it the same way and cut it into “chunks” after baking and serve it as a hearty appetizer.  You’ll impress your guests every time!

pulled pork zucchini boats

Pulled Pork Zucchini Boats

Tender zucchini stuffed with Mexican-style slow roasted pulled pork, served over a delicious homemade enchilada sauce.
Course Appetizer, Main Course
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

  • 4 large zucchini
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 ½ lbs pulled pork
  • 4 oz can chopped green chiles
  • 2 oz Valentina’s hot sauce
  • 5 oz chicken broth
  • 20 oz enchilada sauce
  • 4 tsp fresh cilantro for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350°F.
  • Wash zucchini, trim ends, cut lengthwise, spoon out seeds to make a boat.
  • Rub zucchini with olive oil and place on a baking sheet, skin side down. Bake for 20–25 minutes or until zucchini has softened.
  • Meanwhile, in a large pan, mix the pulled pork, green chiles and chicken broth. Heat to simmer while zucchini is baking.
  • Heat enchilada sauce just to warm.
  • When zucchini is fully baked, pull from the oven. Place 5 oz warm enchilada sauce on a plate, top with 2 zucchini boats and fill with pulled pork.  Drizzle with Valencia hot sauce.  Garnish with cilantro.

Notes

We love this recipe as an entree but prepare it the same way and cut it into "chunks" after baking and serve it as a hearty appetizer. 
Keyword Anti-Inflammatory, Complete Meal, Entree, Pork, Zucchini

 

 

To make your own enchilada sauce, try this recipe.

Anti-Inflammatory Enchilada Sauce

This is a homemade, delicious anti-inflammatory version of enchilada sauce. Try it to top anything you enjoy the Tex-Mex flavor on. No need to buy the grocery store version any more. #eatantiinflammatory
Course Sauces

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tsp olive oil
  • ½ clove garlic minced
  • ¼ tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • ¼ tsp dried basil
  • ¼ tsp ground black pepper
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp ground cumin
  • ¼ bunch fresh parsley
  • ¼ cup salsa
  • ¼ yellow onion diced small
  • 21 oz tomato sauce
  • cup water

Instructions
 

  • Blend all ingredients until well mixed.
Keyword Anti-Inflammatory, Sauce

Want free anti-inflammatory recipes, downloadable resources and efficiency tips and tricks from a professional chef?  Of course you do!  Click here for the secret sauce! 

 

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