Vegetable of the Month: ZUCCHINI

Looking to LOSE WEIGHT this summer?

Try adding zucchini into your diet! Yes, that’s right, adding zucchini into your diet may help you lose weight. Zucchini is not only low in calories (21 calories per cup) but it also creates a sense of fullness. Besides being low in calories, this vegetable has a high water volume and is rich in fiber. Zucchini also contains plenty of Vitamin C, manganese, potassium, folate and Vitamin A. These vitamins and minerals can help with your heart, improve eye health, lower cholesterol and guard against asthma—along with strengthening teeth and bones.

Zucchini can be purchased year-round, but summer is the best! Look for small- to medium-sized zucchini featuring shiny, bright green skin, firm and heavy in the hand. Try not to buy too big of zucchini as they can lose flavor the larger they are and won’t cook as well.

How to eat zucchini?

There are many ways to eat zucchini. You can eat it raw on a salad as you might with a cucumber, add them to soups, stews or stir-frys, or add them to your baking, or broil, bake or sauté them. Versatile, right? My favorite way to eat them, however, is to spiralize them. You can purchase a spiralizer online for around $20 and it is worth every penny. By spiralizing this vegetable, you can transform them into noodles to replace pasta. And trust me: the taste is amazing!

Check out the recipe below if you want to try!

Spinach Parmesan Zucchini Noodles

Prep Time: 10 Minutes Cook Time: 10 Minutes

Serves 4

Ingredients

3 medium zucchini

2 tablespoons butter

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 cups packed spinach

1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Salt and black pepper, to taste

Instructions

Spiralize the zucchini and set aside. Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Melt the butter and add garlic, cook for 1-2 minutes. Add in the zucchini noodles and spinach. Gently toss and cook until spinach leaves are wilted, about 2-3 minutes. Stir in ¼-cup of the Parmesan cheese and toss until zucchini noodles are coated in the Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste. Remove from heat and serve.

*Note: don’t overcook the zucchini noodles and spinach or they will get soggy.

http://www.twopeasandtheirpod.com/5-ingredient-spinach-parmesan-zucchini-noodles/