Whenever anyone mentions zucchini in the summer, they also probably mention its prolific nature. If you’ve ever grown zucchini in a home garden, you know exactly what I’m talking about. One day you have no zucchini, and the next you have three—plus one gigantic zucchini that showed up out of the blue.
To help you deal with the onslaught of zucchini season, many websites provide lists of recipes that let zucchini be the star of the show. But what if you want to use up your zucchini without changing your menu for the week? Simply shred it (food processor works great), and throw it in everything. Here are some ideas.
1. Spaghetti
Last night, we ate spaghetti for dinner. I threw two cups of shredded zucchini on top of the pasta before I tossed everything with sauce in the pan. The zucchini blended right into the pasta, with just a hint of green here and there.
2. Bake it
I shared my go-to recipe for zucchini bread here, but there’s no need to stop at zucchini bread. Consider throwing a handful of shredded zucchini into any of your favorite quick bread or muffin recipes. It adds little flavor with a big nutritional boost.
3. Pizza up!
We love pizza in our house. Due to its mild flavor, you can add zucchini to your pizza in a variety of ways. If you want to hide it, sprinkle some shredded zucchini between the sauce and cheese. If you want to show it off, mix it with your other toppings for a burst of lively green flavor. No need to precook it—the shredded zucchini will cook quickly in the oven along with the rest of the pizza.
4. Burger it.
Adding shredded zucchini to your next homemade burger is a surefire way to use up your produce while giving your burger some extra bulk and juicyness. Try making your burgers with ground turkey for a lean and healthy, vegetable-rich grilling experience!
5. Taco, taco, fajita
Shredded raw zucchini is an unusual but delicious topping for tacos or fajitas. The zucchini adds subtle sweetness and fresh crunch. Fish, beef, tofu or chicken—any protein will do!
6. Salad fodder
Pretend your zucchini is a cucumber, and throw it into your next salad. It’ll blend right in with the rest of your greens, adding some body and crunch while still letting the flavors of the dressing and other ingredients shine through.
