Adding Zucchini Into Your Diet

Most people don't know what a zucchini really is other than it looks like a cucumber. It is a very under appreciated vegetable. This mild flavored summer squash tastes somewhat nutty and fresh when eaten on salads, and basically picks up the flavors of the foods it is cooked with. In the culinary world, zucchini has a pretty wide range of uses.

You can shred it using a food processor and then add it to baked goods like breads and cookies. Shredded zucchini also goes well in hamburgers and meatloafs and adds to the nutritional value. Cut up into slices it works great with salads and stir-frys. You can also chop it into chunks and grill it with other vegitables. With a ton of different uses it is surprising zucchini isn't more of a staple in the kitchen. If you are looking for a great reference book to help you learn some more uses of zuchinni, I recommend checking out The Classic Zucchini Cookbook.

As far as zucchinis nutritional value goes, they are pretty healthy. They contain a high amount of manganese, which is great for bone health, and play a roll in our nervous system. Zucchini is also high in vitamin C, which supports immune system health, and magnesium that is also important for bone growth, along with heart health.

Zucchini amoung the other summer squashes is also high in antioxidants. Which is incredibly important in our heath as they help to fight cancer and can prevent premature aging. It is very important to eat a variety of foods high in antioxidants.

If you would like to try zucchini a great way to begin enjoying it is simply steaming it and adding a bit of butter to it afterwards. Before you start using it in a recipe this can be a great way to learn more about a vegitable's flavor.