Keep cool this Summer by not baking another zucchini bread! These Summer squash recipes leave you feeling full and satisfied — but, best of all, you won't have to turn on the oven in this Summer heat.
Source: Camilla Salem, Flickr user woodleywonderworks, and Flickr user avlxyz
All the blood, sweat, and tears you poured into your garden is beginning to pay off, as strawberries, sugar snap peas, and tomatoes become harvest ready. If you decided not to plant zucchini, because people are always trying to give them away, make sure you take your neighbor up on their offer if they try to give you some zukes. That firm and flavorful squash isn't just a delicious side dish to enjoy with your hamburger. This veggie is full of health benefits as well.
One small zucchini is only 19 calories, so it will fill you up without adding inches to your waist. This green veggie is a decent source of fiber and protein too, and also contains a fair amount of potassium, which is necessary for normal muscle growth and a healthy nervous system. I was surprised to hear the slender squash is also high in vitamin C — one cup provides 30 percent of your recommended daily intake. Zucchini offers your body even more since it's also a source of iron, calcium, magnesium, phosphate, and zinc. The peel of the green squash contains most of the vitamins and nutrients, so leave the skin on when you prepare it.
I like to shred raw zucchini into my salad, but grilling zucchini is one of my favorite ways to enjoy this veggie in the Summer. If you're looking for more creative recipe ideas keep reading.
I have always held Winter squash in greater esteem than the Summer variety, since zucchini and crook neck squash seem to pale in comparison nutritionally. But it looks like I was wrong, because Summer squash has a lot to offer.
One cup of zucchini provides about 15 percent of the recommended daily intake for vitamin C and 10 percent of vitamin A. This veggie is high in manganese, a trace mineral that supports an active metabolism as well as brain function and bone health. One cup of Summer squash also provides two and a half grams of fiber, and every little bit of fiber adds up to make a healthy diet. Plus, you get around 10 percent of your daily intake requirements for potassium, folate, and vitamin K with a cup of squash, as well as a bit of omega-3 fatty acids. This variety of squash is also high in phytonutrients, though not quite as high as root vegetables, which have cancer-fighting effects.
Now that I have convinced us both of the nutritional merits this versatile vegetable, I am sure you are going to want to cook some up tonight. You can check out my serving suggestions when you read more
After a long week, the last thing you need to worry about is preparing a complex meal. Instead, throw together this filling and simple dish. Although the recipe cooks the Polish sausage and Summer squash in a saute pan over the stove, feel free to bring the ingredients outdoors.
Grill the meat and veggies then toss with the Italian dressing. Char the bread on the grill and you've got a no-mess meal ready to eat in under 20 minutes. Sound scrumptious? Get the recipe when you read more
Don't underestimate the power of your microwave! When cooking quick dinners, it can be an invaluable tool. In this recipe it's used to rapidly steam asparagus and summer squash.
The vegetables are topped with a chicken bacon mixture and a broth sauce. The final dish is filling and succulent. To take a look at the recipe, please read more
I am loving this new book, The F-Factor Diet ($16.47). The basis of the book is to make sure that the foods you eat the most of have enough fiber. I love the idea of adding more fiber into your diet, not only for weight loss, but for the amazing benefits it brings (reduced risk of heart disease). Plus who doesn't love a diet that tells you to eat more?
Tanya Zuckerbrot, the author of the book is a well established nutritionist who has been practicing this program with clients for more than ten years. In other words, she knows her stuff. Of course there is way more to it than that and you'd have to read to book to get all the details, however Tanya gave me the scoop on the five best foods for summer. Here is one of them:
SUMMER SQUASH
Summer Dish: sautéed or grilled squash
Summer squash contains vitamin C as well as beta-carotene, folate, and fiber. These nutrients make summer squash a tool in preventing cancers, heart disease, and diseases of inflammation such as arthritis and asthma.
Whether you're trying to lose weight or just adopt a healthier eating program, summer squash's rich fiber content can help you get full faster -- and give you many of the nutrients you need.
Missed the others? Well, Tanya also told us about tomatoes, salmon, blueberries and corn. Yum!
Ahh summer. It's almost here and with it comes a whole array of fresh fruits and veggies. Summer squash is one of my favorites because it tastes good raw and cooked. I didn't know this, but it's relatives with the melon, the cucumber, and eggplant. Cucumber makes sense, but melon? Who knew?
You can find summer squash in all kinds of shapes and varieties. Zucchini, yellow squash, pattypan squash, and globe squash are all summer squash. The best part is that you can eat the entire vegetable - the skin, flesh and seeds. Unlike winter squash, summer squash are more fragile and cannot be stored for long periods of time, so make sure to use them soon after you buy them.
Want to know why they're so healthy for you? Then read more
