5 ways to add summer squash to your meals

Tired of potato salad this summer….why not try summer squash!

Some of the benefits of adding summer squash to your BBQ list:

• more potassium
• vitamin C
• fibre
• helps you stay hydrated

In Ontario, summer squash are available from late spring to early fall, and come in green or yellow colours.

If you are still wondering what I am talking about, most people call summer squash – Zucchini.

5 different ways to eat summer squash (zucchini):

1. BBQ
2. Sliced and added to salads
3. Cut lengthwise as vegetable sticks with dip
4. Grated in breads and muffins
5. Spiralized (my personal favourite) as a spaghetti noodle.

Here’s what spiralized zucchini looks like:

You will need a device that can cut the zucchini in long thin noodle like strings. Food processors often have that adaptor or even a simple hand-held device will do.

Quick & healthy zucchini noodle recipe:

Ingredients

• 2 zucchini, spiralized
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 tbsp olive oil 15ml
• ½ teaspoon each salt and pepper 5ml
• 3tbsp grated Parmesan cheese 45ml

Putting it all together:

1. In a saucepan, warm olive oil at medium heat
2. Add garlic and cook for 2-3 minutes
3. Add the zucchini noodles and cook no more than 3 minutes, tossing a few times.
4. Remove from heat and add parmesan cheese.
5. Enjoy as a side dish for any meal.

Makes 4 servings

Nutrition information:
½ cup (125ml): 70 calories, 6g fat, saturated fat 1g, 5mg cholesterol, sodium 10%,  5g carbohydrates, 1g Fibre, 3g sugars, 3g protein,  iron 6%DV , 8% DV Potassium, 36%DV Vitamin C.