Zucchini is so incredibly versatile. Add it to almost any dish, and it blends in and enhances the dish. Keep reading to find killer ways to incorporate zucchini into your favorite meals and keep carbs low.
Some people hate zucchini, but they've just never had it cooked properly! When you know what you're doing, zucchini is one of the tastiest foods out there. Check out these recipes to make sure you're cooking it right.
Italian stuffed zucchini boatsItalian stuffed pasta is always a winner in my book. I love it! But sometimes I just don't want the carbs. In the recipe below, we stuff zucchini as a substitute for the pasta, and it doesn't disappoint!
These zucchini boats are full of flavor and seasoning, with tastes that remind one of home-style cooking but on a low-carb scale. Check out this video and see just how great zucchini can be.
Low-carb zucchini muffinsZucchini muffins may have zucchini in them, but that doesn't make them healthy. The recipe that follows is an exception to that rule. Not only are these muffins filled with lots of yummy zucchini, which adds tons of moisture, but they're also made with low-carb coconut flour and heart-healthy coconut oil (which some studies have shown even promotes slight weight loss).
Choose your favorite low-carb sweetener, and don't skimp on the cinnamon – it really brings out the natural sweetness of the zucchini. If you want a hint of chocolate, add half a cup of cocoa nibs. Check out how it's done in this video.
Low-carb fried zucchini Sometimes, even when you're trying to stay true to a low-carb, low-fat diet, cravings still kick in. When that happens, it's easy to give into them. What if you learned that you could indulge without deep frying or breading something in high-carb flour? You can, and the recipe below proves it.
This recipe uses a low-carb flour to dredge the zucchini and pure Parmesan cheese instead of breadcrumbs. A few seasonings kick up the flavor but don't add carbs. Fry it up in a little bit of olive oil, and you'll have the crispy, almost-fatty snack you've been craving. Check it out in this video.
Low-carb enchiladas Ohhhh, enchiladas! They never disappoint. Whether red or green, spicy or mild, I'm always happy to eat a plateful. In the recipe below, we use zucchini instead of traditional corn tortillas to cut down on the carbs. It's an easy recipe that you'll go back to again and again.
We start by using a peeler to very thinly slice the zucchini. Then we line up three to four slices, overlapping slightly and fill them. Finally, we roll them up like a regular enchilada. It's such a treat seeing the little rolled-up zucchini acting as a tortilla; even more, it's a treat to eat. I love making this recipe with my nieces and nephews. We have a good time in the kitchen rolling up these little guys! Watch this video to see.
Low-carb cheesy zucchini Sometimes you just need the warmth and comfort that noodles covered in cheese provide without breaking that low-carb streak you've got going. Luckily, as you can see in the recipe below, you can indulge without guilt if you let zucchini take on the job of the noodles. They still become super soft, and when they're coated in all that yummy cheese, it's a delicious dish you can feel good about eating.
If you don't have a spiralizer or you just want to cut down on time, you can find packaged zucchini noodles in a grocery store. Beets and carrots transformed into noodles also can be found for those times when you want to add some color to the dish. See it all come together in this video.
Low-carb baked zucchini friesDo you ever sometimes just really want to have fries? It happens! But you know you have to stay true to your low-carb diet. When you feel the need for fries, whip up a batch of the zucchini fries in the recipe below instead. I'm not going to lie to you and tell you that they're exactly like potatoes. They're not. But I will tell you that they are incredibly delicious.
Slim zucchini sticks get a quick dip in egg before they're dipped into Parmesan -- yes, Parmesan -- and then baked in the oven. There's nothing to feel bad about here. You're not deep-frying them, and you're not dredging the zucchini in bread crumbs either. These are just totally and completely guilt-free, crunchy delights.
Low-carb baked zucchini boatsEven when I’m fully in the low-carb eating groove, there are certain simple pleasures I still crave. Crunchy tacos, a fully loaded sandwich or a slice of cheesy, saucy, pepperoni pizza falls into that category. The recipe below satisfies one of these cravings. Too bad you can’t get it delivered.
Zucchini makes a wonderful base for all of the traditional pizza toppings because on its own it has a mild flavor, but thanks to its shape it can easily made into a boat that will hold in all that goodness. You can even eat these “pizzas” with your hands, just like you would a traditional slice. Add whatever pizza toppings you crave the most. Check it out below in the video.
