healthy zucchini and/or eggplant reicpes please

i just got a few zucchinis and eggplants and have never prepared them before. i don't want them to go bad so i'm looking for some good recipes. thanks :)
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Replies

  • worthashot73
    worthashot73 Posts: 33 Member
    Skinnytaste.com. There are some incredible zucchini recipes there.
  • Acg67
    Acg67 Posts: 12,142 Member
    Rigatoni alla norma

    20121003_185505.jpg
  • BernadetteChurch
    BernadetteChurch Posts: 2,210 Member
    If your zucchinis are a good size, cut them in half lengthways, scoop out the flesh and fry it in a bit of olive oil with some onion and bacon. Spoon it back into the skins, top with some breadrumbs and grated cheese and put them in the oven till the topping is golden brown.

    I do have a proper recipe for this but really, just play around with the quantities to suit the amount of calories you want to use.
  • rainman3k
    rainman3k Posts: 174 Member
    Eggplant Lasagna Recipe - I’ve had eggplant lasagna on many occasions, but always with the noodles, so I decided to use the eggplant in place of the noodles, thus keeping the hearty comfort food a little healthier.

    Ingredients
    6 cups low sodium Marinara
    1 eggplant, 16 ounces or larger
    1 portobello mushroom
    1 cup baby spinach, optional
    low calorie olive oil spray
    32 ounces fat free ricotta cheese
    1 egg
    2 tablespoons grated Parmesan
    2 teaspoons dried basil
    8 ounces shredded reduced fat mozzarella cheese

    Preparation
    Preheat the grill to medium
    Slice the eggplant into 1/8-inch slices with the skin still on. Spray with olive oil. Grill for about 2 to 3 minutes per side.
    Grill the portobello mushroom, allow to cool and then chop into 1/2" pieces
    Preheat the oven to 350° F
    In a medium mixing bowl, stir together the ricotta, egg, grated Parmesan, and dried basil.
    Spread 1.5 cups of the sauce in the bottom of the baking dish. Lay down a row of the grilled eggplant, then spread about 1/3 of the ricotta cheese mixture. It doesn’t have to look pretty, just make sure that it is evenly distributed, even if it’s in clumps. If using the spinach, add the leaves in a layer.
    Add 1.5 cups of sauce, then half the remaining grilled eggplant, 1/2 of the remaining cheese mixture, and the chopped portobello mushroom.
    Add another 1.5 cups of the sauce, the rest of the grilled eggplant, and the rest of the ricotta cheese mixture. Spread the remaining sauce on top then top with the shredded mozzarella.
    Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, until the lasagna is cooked all the way through and the top is bubbly and golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow to sit for about 5 to 10 minutes before serving.
  • christykirby
    christykirby Posts: 23 Member
    Here are couple of my favorite ways to prepare zucchini (it's one of my fav veggies):

    Baked Zucchini Slices
    Ingredients: 1 medium sized zucchini
    Directions: Take your zucchini and cut into either two or three pieces. Then take each piece and cut into quarter inch slices (you'll have 2-3 inch zucchini planks). Spray a foil lined baking sheet and lay out the zucchini planks. Season as desired (I usually just do a little salt and pepper). Bake at 400 for about 10-15 minutes. Flip the slices over and bake another 10 minutes or so.

    Parmesan Zucchini Slices
    Ingredients: 1 medium sized zucchini, 1 tbsp grated parmesan cheese, 1 tbsp italian seasoned breadcrumbs or Panko breadcrumbs.
    Directions: Take your zucchini and cut into either two or three pieces. Then take each piece and cut into quarter inch slices (you'll have 2-3 inch zucchini planks). Spray a foil lined baking sheet, lay out the zucchini planks, and season. Mix the parmesan and breadcrumbs and sprinkle on top of each zucchini plank. Bake at 400 for 20-25 minutes until the topping is nicely browned.

    "Fried" Zucchini
    Ingredients: 1 medium sized zucchini, 1 egg white, 1 tsp cornstarch, 1 tbsp corn meal
    Directions: Slice the zucchini into rounds about a quarter of an inch thick. Toss them into a ziploc bag and add the cornstarch. Shake until evenly coated. Beat the egg white a little and then add that to the ziploc and shake to coat (you may only need to use half of the egg white - judge for yourself). Finally add the corn meal and shake again making sure every slice is coated. Spray a foil lined baking sheet and dump the slices out. Make sure they are in a single layer. Bake at 425 for 15 minutes, flip the slices over and bake another 10 minutes or until nice and golden brown. Note: You can use this same method with okra (I use frozen) or yellow summer squash.

    Sauteed Zucchini
    Ingredients: 1 medium sized zucchini, 1 tsp EVOO or coconut oil
    Directions: Slice the zucchini into rounds and then slice each round in half. Sautee in the oil over medium heat until done (usually about 10 minutes or so - depends on how cooked you like your veggies). Season as desired. So yummy and versatile. Add any other veggies you like as well - onions, mushrooms, yellow squash, peppers, diced tomatoes for a great veggie sautee.

    As far as eggplant goes, I love to grill it or roast it in the oven with sweet potatoes, red onion, and mushrooms (cut the veggies into chunks about the same size, coat with a little EVOO and bake at 400 for about 20 -25 min).

    I also agree with the reference to skinnytaste.com. The Chicken Enchilada Stuffed Zucchini Boats are SO good!
  • Emtabo01
    Emtabo01 Posts: 672
    http://sheheartsit.com/food-drink/baked-eggplant/

    Love love love this eggplant recipe!
  • johnny059qn
    johnny059qn Posts: 163 Member
    Rigatoni alla norma


    Wow, that Norma sure can cook. That looks Amazing!!
  • johnny059qn
    johnny059qn Posts: 163 Member
    Asian Zucchini and Onion

    Two Zucchinis, cut in half then into 1/4 inch strips
    One large white onion, cut in half then sliced in 1/4 inch strips
    1T fresh grated Ginger
    2T Low Sodium Soy Sauce

    On medium high heat, saute Zucchinis and Onion together in a little bit of EVOO 4-5 min, ad Ginger and Soy saute until veggies are tender-crisp. 1-2 min.

    Great Veggie Side Dish
    mmmmmmm
  • iarookie
    iarookie Posts: 140
    I love using :love: SparkRecipes.com for stuff like this... type in the word you want and a bunch of healthly recipes come up!

    http://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipes.asp?food=eggplant&anyall=ANY&c1=0&c2=0&c3=0&c4=0&c5=0&calories=&prep_time=0&total_time=0&calories_operation=1
  • Debbe2
    Debbe2 Posts: 2,071 Member
    Bump for a few good recipes
  • kokoforskinny
    kokoforskinny Posts: 91 Member
    bump
  • busycitystreets
    busycitystreets Posts: 64 Member
    Zucchini lasagna!! Layer zucchini, cottage cheese, tomato sauce and ground turkey (optional). Bake in the oven for an hour on 375degrees. So yummy!!
  • marx4
    marx4 Posts: 236 Member
    thanks for all of the ideas!!!
  • deanabailey
    deanabailey Posts: 124 Member
    Here are couple of my favorite ways to prepare zucchini (it's one of my fav veggies):

    Baked Zucchini Slices
    Ingredients: 1 medium sized zucchini
    Directions: Take your zucchini and cut into either two or three pieces. Then take each piece and cut into quarter inch slices (you'll have 2-3 inch zucchini planks). Spray a foil lined baking sheet and lay out the zucchini planks. Season as desired (I usually just do a little salt and pepper). Bake at 400 for about 10-15 minutes. Flip the slices over and bake another 10 minutes or so.

    Parmesan Zucchini Slices
    Ingredients: 1 medium sized zucchini, 1 tbsp grated parmesan cheese, 1 tbsp italian seasoned breadcrumbs or Panko breadcrumbs.
    Directions: Take your zucchini and cut into either two or three pieces. Then take each piece and cut into quarter inch slices (you'll have 2-3 inch zucchini planks). Spray a foil lined baking sheet, lay out the zucchini planks, and season. Mix the parmesan and breadcrumbs and sprinkle on top of each zucchini plank. Bake at 400 for 20-25 minutes until the topping is nicely browned.

    "Fried" Zucchini
    Ingredients: 1 medium sized zucchini, 1 egg white, 1 tsp cornstarch, 1 tbsp corn meal
    Directions: Slice the zucchini into rounds about a quarter of an inch thick. Toss them into a ziploc bag and add the cornstarch. Shake until evenly coated. Beat the egg white a little and then add that to the ziploc and shake to coat (you may only need to use half of the egg white - judge for yourself). Finally add the corn meal and shake again making sure every slice is coated. Spray a foil lined baking sheet and dump the slices out. Make sure they are in a single layer. Bake at 425 for 15 minutes, flip the slices over and bake another 10 minutes or until nice and golden brown. Note: You can use this same method with okra (I use frozen) or yellow summer squash.

    Sauteed Zucchini
    Ingredients: 1 medium sized zucchini, 1 tsp EVOO or coconut oil
    Directions: Slice the zucchini into rounds and then slice each round in half. Sautee in the oil over medium heat until done (usually about 10 minutes or so - depends on how cooked you like your veggies). Season as desired. So yummy and versatile. Add any other veggies you like as well - onions, mushrooms, yellow squash, peppers, diced tomatoes for a great veggie sautee.

    As far as eggplant goes, I love to grill it or roast it in the oven with sweet potatoes, red onion, and mushrooms (cut the veggies into chunks about the same size, coat with a little EVOO and bake at 400 for about 20 -25 min).

    I also agree with the reference to skinnytaste.com. The Chicken Enchilada Stuffed Zucchini Boats are SO good!

    I'm going to try these tonight!!
  • bump 4 awesome recipes!!
  • judychicken
    judychicken Posts: 937 Member
    Bump
  • Bump
  • issyfit
    issyfit Posts: 1,077 Member
    I have a lot of zucchini recipes on my veggie recipe board on Pinterest but since I don't care for eggplant I haven't pinned those.
    www.pinterest.com/issypal
  • phoebeleb
    phoebeleb Posts: 172 Member
    Thank you for all the great recipes and ideas!!!
  • clarebrad
    clarebrad Posts: 188 Member
    bump
  • Eggplant Lasagna Recipe - I’ve had eggplant lasagna on many occasions, but always with the noodles, so I decided to use the eggplant in place of the noodles, thus keeping the hearty comfort food a little healthier.

    how many does this serve ??
  • dancerom
    dancerom Posts: 174 Member
    bump
  • jw17695
    jw17695 Posts: 438 Member
    Eggplant steak. Cut nice. thick slices. Add a little bit of olive oil and sprinkle with steak seasonings. Throw them on the grill.
  • _lizzie_
    _lizzie_ Posts: 130
    Try just cubing eggplant or zucchini and then put it in your favorite meat sauce recipe. Skip the noodles, the veggies are enough! I love it, so easy and low carb/cal! Add plenty parmesan, its pretty low cal and high flavor for a cheese :-)
  • PhearlessPhreaks
    PhearlessPhreaks Posts: 890 Member
    Ratatouille! It's versatile, and you can keep it vegetarian or add meat; I love making it in the colder months, and it's super easy.

    Slice up your eggplant, zucchini, and any other vegetables you wish- I use onion, tomato, and mushrooms;

    mince up some fresh garlic, saute in olive oil until golden brown, add vegetables and seasonings- I use oregano, salt, pepper, basil and crushed red pepper

    You can add cheese, meat, or pretty much anything else you want, or keep it simple like above. Cook on medium heat until everything is firm but tender.

    Enjoy!
  • bethannlarson
    bethannlarson Posts: 8 Member
    bump
  • bluechip777
    bluechip777 Posts: 160 Member
    Coconut Cilantro Zucchini Noodles

    all measurements are approx but go crazy if ya want on seasonings!!!

    1- 2 Zucchini (italian squash) ---- julienne w/ skin
    1/8 t. Tony Chachere's Seasoning
    1/8 t. onion powder
    1/8 t. garlic powder
    1 T. unsweetened shredded coconut
    2 t. coconut flour (bob's red mill brand)

    **mix and toss all of above in a ziploc bag or sealed container**

    sautee in 1 T. coconut oil
    top w/ 1 T. chopped, fresh cilantro

    if you do not have a julienne slicer, DO NOT make this--- it will not taste the same! you want it to look like spaghetti.

    I make this w/ italian turkey meatballs in sauce --- I DIE! yummeh


    I
  • slkehl
    slkehl Posts: 3,801 Member
    taunto had an amazing eggplant curry he posted on here a little while back. You should do a search for it. I tried it, and it turned out amazing!