Zucchini Revival

Our friends just gifted us with some gorgeous zucchini from their abundant garden. For those who are blessed with a home garden, you may notice that zucchini are often one of the most cooperative vegetables when it comes to growing. They are sneaky too. One day you think you’ve harvested all the perfectly sized zucchini and the next day you discover one the size of a caveman club. While those are fun to look at, those huge zucchini don’t actually have the best flavor – they get a little mealy, for lack of a better description. We prefer the more dense, smaller zucchini.
We often look to broccoli and kale when we think of nutritional powerhouses, but zucchini holds its own when it comes to health benefits. In addition to tasting good, there are plenty of reasons to grow and go for zucchini, especially now when it is in great abundance. Here are just a few of the nutrition perks:
• A cup of zucchini has just 36 calories and 6 grams of fiber, which as we know, helps with digestion, elimination, and overall satiety (meaning it helps keep us from overeating). The fiber in zucchini is also beneficial for the liver and for cholesterol levels.
• Zucchini is high in vitamins A and C, folate, and magnesium; all of which are important in helping prevent certain forms of cancer. These powerful antioxidants also offer anti-inflammatory action, helping prevent certain pre-inflammatory disorders like arthritis.
• Phytonutrients in zucchini may help reduce symptoms of BPH (benign prostatic hypertrophy)
• Zucchini contains folate and magnesium, which are important for heart health and may help reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. Zucchini also contains potassium, an important mineral (and electrolyte) that (in addition to magnesium) may assist with lowering blood pressure.
• Zucchini contains manganese, a trace mineral and essential nutrient that helps with bone strength, blood sugar, nerve health, and protecting the body from free-radicals.