I heart zucchini (attn shirataki haters!)

[piratejenny]

I've been living on zucchini on DDs lately. I've tried cabbage & cauliflower for noodle and rice subsitutes, but I don't like the way they smell up the kitchen (or the leftovers, the fridge).

I don't mind shirataki noodles, but I find them a bit expensive for something that has no protein or vitamins whatsoever. An 8-10 oz zucc is pretty sizeable & filling; 16 oz has 73 calories & 5.5g protein. In comparison, a large egg has 72 calories & 6.3g protein. Also, zucc has tons of potassium!

My "trick" is to grate it, then cook it. It has a mouthfeel very similar to noodles or rice this way. I used to make soups for a deli where we kept the soups hot for 8 or more hours every day; for some reason, the veggies didn't get mushy & horribly overcooked when I grated them! (works for carrots, too)

Today I even made "oatmeal" with zucchini!

[KeirasMom]

Can you share your recipes? I love zucchini and have no idea what to do with it besides saute it in a pan!

[Yam-Yam]

I love zucchini too!!!!

Dawn: You can make the best lasagna with it! Just slice it long ways, place it between 2 paper towels for a few minutes to get any extra moisture out if you want (I don't. The recipe said to do it that way but I don't want to lose any nutrients.)

Then, instead of lasagna noodles, just layer in the zucchini where the noodles would have been.

I've even done a lasagna using half whole wheat noodles and half zucchini 'cos DH likes it that way.

I also chop it small, sautee it and then add all the ingredients for spaghetti sauce. I use it in soup all the time. If I'm making anything with cabbage, including coleslaw, I add zucchini. You can add it chopped or you can grate it.

On UDs, make zucchini bread!!! We have always grown zucchini in our summer garden so have tons. I bake bunches of loaves of zucchini bread and give it away.

BTW: Don't peel it!!! I saw my niece peeling zucchini and I about clobbered her!!!

[Yam-Yam]

Use it in omelets! Or, grate it and put it in muffins! They turn out so moist!

[KeirasMom]

Yam, you presume that I know how to make such intricate delicacies as soup and lasagna!

[jem51]

I love it too!

In summer I have only 2 plants and use it for zoodles, salads, gazpacho, snackers and, of course, my wonderful pureed soup, and anything else.

I do not grow cukes anymore. Garden fresh zucch is so sweet!!

[sunday]

OHMY! I love zucchini, but I guess I thought it was too carby! I will try this tomorrow!

[ellgee]

I actually bought a spiral veggie slicer (spirooli) for making zucchini noodles. Have I yet? No. But maybe this summer!

[b_lou_who]

Zucchini carbonara is fab

[buttoni]

I love the stuff, too. I like to make zoodles and add a little carrot or yellow squash julienned up in it for a change of pace and some color impact. Makes great primaveras with just a tad of meat leftovers.

[KathyL]

Hmmm, I will have to give some of these ideas a try. I've only eaten it in quick breads/muffins, and breaded and fried. I'm always looking for ways to get more veggies in my diet.

[mykidsteacher]

These sound yummy! Dh has zukes planted and we always have a ton of them. We love it here, but it's mostly either stir fried, or breaded and deep fried.

[piratejenny]

I keep losing my posts.... maybe I'll try again tomorrow.

I think there's a recipe for zucchini pudding in my Indian cookbook.

[Yam-Yam]

Originally Posted by KeirasMom

Yam, you presume that I know how to make such intricate delicacies as soup and lasagna!

I can teach you! Seriously!

[Sheridan]

Mix shredded zucchini w/ an egg or two and some Parmesan cheese and you've got the 'crust' for a fabulous quiche.

We just picked the first zucchini of the year from our garden a few days ago and we were in heaven! Sliced it, dipped it in a light tempura batter then dipped them in Panko crumbs and fried them. Oh my.

[zipp2play]

WE love Zucchini at our house too!

[sophiethecat]

I love zucchini too, and I grate it as well. I find ways to add it to lots of recipes, including omelets, salads, stir-fries, casseroles, etc. I even add it to crab cake recipes.

Thanks for the nutrition info, PJ. I would like to have your "oatmeal" recipe when you have time.

[leonak]

Originally Posted by buttoni

I love the stuff, too. I like to make zoodles and add a little carrot or yellow squash julienned up in it for a change of pace and some color impact. Makes great primaveras with just a tad of meat leftovers.

What is "primaveras?

I put Z in my meatloaf, meatballs, and stuffing too!

Great thread!

[LayMiz]

What do u need to make zoodles?

[jem51]

I first started making zoodles as a raw fooder.

I just julienne but you can make wide, thin strips w a vegie peeler or spend some money and by a spiralizer gadget.
A mandolin might be cheaper but a good knife works great.

Some peop saute them but I just cover them w piping hot sauce and they wilt.

[Becky]

I ADORE Zucchini, grow it in my garden and eat tons of it during the summer. My mom even bought me a Zucchini cookbook for Christmas as she knows how much I adore it.

[piratejenny]

Originally Posted by sophiethecat

Thanks for the nutrition info, PJ. I would like to have your "oatmeal" recipe when you have time.

I just cooked one 8 oz grated zucchini in about 1/4 c water until soft. Then added 1/2c almond milk, a lot of cinnamon, pinch of salt, and SF pancake syrup. About 70-80 calories.

To make it heartier, I then crumbled in a couple of bran crackers (24 calories).

I don't often have oatmeal in the house, but I bet if you added a little oatmeal to the zucchini (or zucchini to your regular oatmeal recipe), it would be good!

[jem51]

Oh, PJ, that sounds good. I might just try that w a touch of oat bran.