10 Amazing Ways to Eat Zucchini (with Recipes)

Zucchini (a type of summer squash) is a great vegetable that boasts a number of health benefits and can be cooked in a variety of ways.

Zucchini’s high water content (95 percent) makes it a very low calorie vegetables (only 17 calories per 100 g/one small zucchini) It contains no saturated fats or cholesterol, is packed with Vitamin C, A, folate, magnesium, protein and fiber. In addition, zucchini contains more than three times the potassium of the average potassium supplement, which helps in muscle growth and maintaining a healthy nervous system.

Overall, nutrients found in zucchini promote bone health, heart health, healthy weight and aid in cancer prevention.

The best way to eat zucchini is to consume is raw. However, salads and raw dishes are not the only way to enjoy this healthy summer squash. You can add zucchini to your muffins and cakes, soups, tacos and other entrees. The possibilities are literally endless!

Here are our 10 favorite recipes made with Zucchini:

1. Raw Zucchini Pasta with Creamy Avocado-Cucumber Sauce

Raw pasta dishes will leave you feeling so refreshed and at your best; they are perfect for the warm summer months.

Feel free to omit the cucumber in this recipe and add an extra avocado if you like for variations (you may like to add a couple tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil if you do). You can even add some arugula to the puree instead of using basil. Lots of ways to change it up and keep it fresh!

2. Raw Zucchini Wraps

These raw zucchini wraps are not only super healthy but they’re refreshing, filling, easy and fun to make! And so colorful too. All these vibrant colors are good for you…full of antioxidents, nutrients, fiber and yes, even protein! Fresh and raw is a beautiful way to eat. At least half of our daily food consumption should be raw foods for optimal health, not always easy, but hopefully this will be a fun way to add some rawness to your life. Your mind, body and soul will thank you!

3. Spicy Kale Pesto with Zucchini Noodles

The pesto pairs great with the zucchini noodles, especially with a nice dusting of almond parmesan.

 4. Flourless Tofu-Zucchini Muffins

These muffins are light but nevertheless filling. Perfect for brunch, light dinner or buffet.

5. Spicy Zucchini and Tomato Tacos

You will love the mix of this spicy zucchini with the cooling tomatoes and avocado. If you want a heartier meal, these are perfect with some marinated tempeh. And if you don’t have tortillas for wrapping, sauteed spicy zucchini and fresh tomato also make the perfect stand-alone salad.

6. Individual Chocolate Espresso Cake…with Zucchini!

What happens when Zucchini is mixed with chocolate and turned into a cake? The result: a moist, rich chocolate espresso cake that you will blow your mind!

7. Chocolate Chip Zucchini Muffins

Zucchini is the perfect addition to these chocolate chip muffins. They straddle the line between savory and sweet – you could certainly choose these for dessert, but they’d also work well slathered with nut butters or a buttery spread.

8. Zucchini Pasta with Chunky Tomato Sauce

This zucchini has a classic-style sauce, but the addition of Brazil nuts or walnuts gives it a non-traditional crunch.

9. Zucchini Blueberry Muffins

If you are looking for a recipe that is a great mix between summer and fall, this is it! You can use the last of your soft-skinned zucchini and sweet blueberries, but also feel comforted by scent of cinnamon and filling whole wheat. These are muffins that even the most stubborn omnivore will love, believe me, I tested them! Feed them to your children to sneak in more vegetables and fruit under a tasty breakfast guise.

10. Minty Zucchini n’ Strawberry Chilled Soup

Just a pinch of fresh mint from the garden is all you need to spruce up this fresh summer soup. A bit of zucchini and some fresh strawberries, a lil’ balsamic vinegar, a few Jersey fresh tomatoes, some freshly squeezed orange juice, and you’re all set! A sweet n’ simple, gluten-free n’ vegan chilled soup that will cool you off even on the hottest July day. So, as your frazzled in your kitchen, sweating away … wondering what to make for next BBQ? Take a break, make this soup and relax. It will make you feel so much better. Then, you can stress and start planning your BBQ for the weekend. Sips up. Here’s to a refreshing and cooling way to spend your day.