The best thing about zucchini is its versatility: You can shred it, slice it, dice it, stuff it — the possibilities are nearly endless. Whether it’s mixed into a breakfast muffin batter or sliced on top of pizza or burgers, we can’t get enough of this seasonal vegetable (or is it a fruit?). During the hot summer months, the lean, green squash is easy to find at your local farmers market or grocer so you’ve got no excuse not to use it. To help get you started, we’ve rounded up 11 irresistible zucchini recipes that bring out the best in the naturally low-calorie, low-carb ingredient.
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11 Delicious Lower-Carb Zucchini Recipes
1. Vietnamese Zucchini Noodle Bowl
If you’ve never tried zoodles — aka zucchini noodles — dive into the tasty trend with this Vietnamese-inspired recipe. The firm noodles stand in for rice. The result? A fresh, guilt-free dish that stops hunger in its tracks. Keep things vegetarian or top your zoodles with a protein of your choosing for a heartier meal. Photo and recipe: Marisa / Uproot from Oregon
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2. Baked Parmesan Zucchini Sticks
Finger food doesn’t get healthier (or easier) than this. Since they’re baked, these zucchini spears are much better for you than your average French fries. Not in the mood for zucchini? The recipe would work just as well with summer squash, or even a more sturdy squash, such as butternut. Photo and recipe: Chungah / Damn Delicious
3. Zucchini Bread Pancakes
Any pancake lover will happily devour a short-stack of these colorful flapjacks. Each serving packs a half-cup serving of vegetables — so put them on your weekend brunch rotation, stat! A hint of sugar in the batter adds just the right amount of sweetness, while toasted pecans deliver texture and crunch. Photo and recipe: Perry Santanachote / Life by DailyBurn
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4. Portobello Burger with Zucchini
Skip the pickles — thin slices of grilled zucchini can deliver a satisfying crunch at your next cookout. (Now why didn’t we think of this before?) Vegan BBQ mayo and baby greens bring this Portobello burger to new heights of deliciousness. Photo and recipe: Julie / Small Green Kitchen
5. Honey Olive Oil Zucchini Muffins
Using half whole-wheat flour, half white flour lightens up these muffins while still keeping them light and fluffy. Plus, shredded zucchini is the secret to perfectly moist treats. Photo and recipe: Lindsay Ostrom / Pinch of Yum
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6. Fiery Szechuan Peanut and Chili Zucchini Noodles
Tahini and peanut butter create a creamy, rich base for the sauce for this Asian-inspired zoodles recipe, while chili oil adds a spicy kick. Feel free to skip the recommended regular pasta and double the zucchini for a meal lower in calories and carbs. Pro tip: Simply toss cooked noodles with sauce in the same bowl you’ll use for serving. Photo and recipe: Tieghan Gerard / Half Baked Harvest
7. Gluten-Free Greek Yogurt Zucchini Brownies
You’ve never had gluten-free brownies quite like these! Each square offers four grams of protein, thanks to vegan protein powder and Greek yogurt. Applesauce stands instead of oil or butter, which lightens up the recipe even more. (If you don’t have applesauce on hand, canned pumpkin or mashed banana work just as well.) Photo and recipe: The Big Man’s World
8. Zucchini Noodles and Meatballs
When the craving for classic spaghetti and meatballs hits, give this low-calorie, low-carb version a shot. Instead of beef, these slimmed-down meatballs rely on lean turkey for protein with less cholesterol. Photo and recipe: Perry Santanachote / Life by DailyBurn
9. Ricotta and Squash Blossom Pizza
Zucchini and squash blossoms are only in season for just a few weeks in the middle of summer, and this pizza puts them to good use. Pair the seasonal duo on a whole-wheat pizza dough for an extra dose of fiber. Photo and recipe: Maryanne / The Little Epicurean
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10. Israeli Couscous-Stuffed Zucchini
None of our favorite green vegetable goes to waste in this satisfying meal that boasts Israeli couscous, onion, bell peppers and basil. If you can find them, Eight-Ball Zucchinis work perfectly for this recipe. (Purchase eight instead of four, as the recipe indicates!) Otherwise, conventional zucchinis halved lengthwise will do. Photo and recipe: Renee Blair / Life by DailyBurn
11. Zucchini Bread with Chocolate Chips
A half-inch slice of this snack bread comes in at just 128 calories and 13 grams of sugar. (Some have up to 27 grams of sugar per slice!) Applesauce and shredded zucchini maintain a delicate texture while keeping this bread low in fat. Skip the chocolate chips if you’re keeping a close eye on sugar. Photo and recipe: Emily Miller / Life by DailyBurn