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Wednesday 24 February 2016

Courgettes / Zucchini ... they are on my shopping list!

Courgettes / Zucchini are becoming ever more popular and with good reason, they have a deliciously sweet, nutty taste. They’re often used to bulk out sauces and dishes like a bolognaise or lasagne, but why not also enjoy courgettes in their own right.

Many of us enjoy growing our own Courgettes, but if left too long in the soil, they will grow huge and bloated with water. While these green monsters might look magnificent, the best tasting courgettes are the shorter, slim ones.


If you’re already living the LCHF lifestyle, you will know that courgettes are low in carbs, just 2g. carb per 100g, and they are probably high up on your must buy shopping (or growing) list. They may not pack the nutritional punch of other green vegetables (broccoli, kale etc.) but they do contain significant levels of potassium to control blood pressure and vitamin C to boost your immune system.

The courgette’s thin dark skin is high in soluble fibre, which slows digestion and stabilises blood sugar levels – potentially getting rid of those pesky mid-afternoon sweet cravings. Soluble fibre can also prevent constipation and help with those horrible IBS symptoms so many of us endure.

You can buy courgettes from most big supermarkets as well as small farmers markets (when in season). Many prefer to buy locally sourced courgettes as supermarkets can of course ship vegetables thousands of miles despite them being in season a few minutes down the road, but how and where you buy is always a personal choice.

Now – how to prepare courgettes? Try not to cook courgettes with too much water as they can go quite soggy. The best way to cook them is to get a good crunch. Slice them in thin chip shapes, place them on foil and drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and a sprinkling of salt, spices and herbs, then place under the grill until golden. You can eat these as a snack, or with a salad. Alternatively, you can roast courgettes up with a selection of other vegetables to enjoy with classic meat and buttery mashed swede. Or you can make Greek style fritters on the BBQ with lots of chopped dill.

Courgettes keep well in the fridge, but don’t leave them too long or they’ll develop a slightly bitter taste.

More information here, with a lovely Courgette / Zucchini Fries recipe here.
Some text taken from this resource here



Simple sauteed zucchini-courgettes with Gruyere cheese recipe here


Sunny Breakfast - Eggs with Courgettes and Tomatoes
a winning way to start the day!

How about putting courgettes (zucchini) on your shopping list

All the best Jan

15 comments:

eileeninmd said...

Hello, I would Zucchini roasted, YUM! Great info and post. Enjoy your day!

Jo said...

The great thing about growing courgettes is that they're so prolific, just a couple of plants will keep you well supplied all summer. We often come home from holiday to find some which have grown to huge proportions but I don't mind them, they still get eaten, I just use them as I would a marrow and stuff them.

DeniseinVA said...

I love them. So yummy! Thanks for stopping by and have a great day :)

tess said...

Ooh, thanks for the reminder, Jan! I've never tried growing them myself, but this year my garden will be convenient for doing just that! :-)

Connie said...

I love these and always have some growing in the garden.

Carla from The River said...

Hi,
Zucchini grow well here in Wisconsin in the summer. We enjoy mixing them with other fresh veggies and saute them with some butter and toss some Parmesan cheese on top.

NCmountainwoman said...

We love zucchini and eat it often. For some reason I've never tried it fried but I'll bet it's quite delicious. My favorite way to saute it with yellow squash, onion, and tomatoes.

TexWisGirl said...

my sis loves zucchini and zucchini chips!

Gail said...

Mmmm. Can't wait to plant fresh veggies.

Thanks for all your kind comments when you visit.

Have a blessed week.

Rue said...

Yum! I pinned both, Jan. I'm a big fan of this veggie :)

Loved the Valentine's post and that steak dish looked out of this world!

xo,
rue

Launna said...

I LOVE zucchini. .. I eat it weekly, I've never tried it roasted under the broiler... sautéed zucchini is delicious and added to sauces is a must in my house. I happy to hear of all the great benefits ♡ xox

Debbie said...

zucchini, one of my favorites. i like it roasted and fried!!!!

Lowcarb team member said...

Eileen
Zucchini roasted ... sounds good to me!

Jo
Growing your own ... you just can't beat it!

Denise
Yes, I agree yummy ... I always enjoy my visits!

Tess
Have a try and grow some ... bet they will be good!

Connie
Home grown is so good ... and the taste is brilliant!

Carla
Yes, Parmesan works well doesn't it ... I'm sure Wisconsin grown zucchini are delicious!

'NC'
That sounds a great way, and a wonderful mix, to cook zucchini ... I just love it!

Tex
I think your sis has great tastes ... zucchini chips are just lovely!

Gail
I always enjoy my visits to your blog ... I bet your own grown veggies are just wonderful!

Rue
Glad to hear you enjoyed the different posts ...you can't beat zucchini!

Launna
I always think it nice to know a little bit more about the wonderful whole fresh foods we eat ... it's so good for us!

Debbie
Yes this vegetable can be cooked in many ways ... and doesn't it taste great!

Thank you all for your comments

All the best Jan

Crafty Green Poet said...

I love courgettes, delicious and very versatile!

Lowcarb team member said...

'CGP'
Many thanks for your comment.
Yes, courgettes can be used in many different recipes - they are always good to have in the kitchen

All the best Jan