Zucchini is a versatile vegetable packed with nutrients such as vitamin C, sodium, and lutein. Regularly including zucchini in your diet offers several health benefits, ranging from improved eyesight to better heart health, and can even aid in weight loss.
Here are some delicious ways to cook with zucchini:
– Grilled zucchini salad
– Zucchini beef stir-fry
– Zucchini and mushroom soup
– Garlic zucchini stir-fry
– Zucchini and egg fried rice
You can also try this simple and refreshing spicy and sour shredded zucchini salad:
**1. Ingredients:**
– 1 zucchini
– 2 cloves of garlic
– 1 chili pepper
– White sesame seeds
– ½ teaspoon of chicken broth
– Seasoning: 1 tablespoon of rice vinegar, ½ tablespoon of sugar, 1 tablespoon of chili oil, 1.5 tablespoons of light soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar
**2. Preparation:**
*Step 1: Prepare the ingredients*
– Wash the zucchini thoroughly. Using a specialized tool, shred the zucchini into long strips. Only shred the outer flesh and avoid the softer inner part.
– If you don’t have a shredder, you can cut the zucchini in half, remove the seeds, and then slice it into thin, long strips before shredding it by hand.
– Peel and thinly slice the garlic cloves.
– Rinse the chili pepper, remove the stem, and cut it into small rings.
*Step 2: Make the dressing*
– In a clean bowl, add a pinch of salt, the sliced garlic, and chili rings. Mix well.
– Next, add the light soy sauce, rice vinegar, chili oil, balsamic vinegar, a little sugar, and chicken broth.
– Finally, add the white sesame seeds and mix well with a spoon or chopsticks.
*Step 3: Mix the zucchini with the dressing*
– Place the shredded zucchini into a large bowl and slowly pour the dressing over it.
– Toss the zucchini until it is evenly coated with the dressing, and then serve it on a plate.
The spicy and sour shredded zucchini salad combines the colors of green and white zucchini with the white garlic and red chili. The dish offers a delightful mix of textures and flavors, with the crispness of the zucchini complementing the spicy and sour dressing.
**3. Notes:**
– Choose zucchini that is of moderate size and not too green, as it may be overly mature or bitter. It should feel firm but not soft when held. Look for straight zucchini without scratches or wilted spots.
– Avoid eating excessive amounts of zucchini to prevent digestive issues such as diarrhea, indigestion, abdominal pain, or vomiting.
– To maintain the crispness of the shredded zucchini, it is best to dress it just before serving, rather than mixing it too far in advance.
– For long-term storage, do not wash the zucchini. Instead, wrap each zucchini individually in newspaper and store it in the refrigerator.