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5 Sneaky Ways to Add Zucchini to Your Family's Meals

Hide this healthy veggie in your favorite recipes without anyone noticing

By Macaroni KID August 5, 2024

Got a garden bursting with zucchini, or just picked up a few too many at the market? No worries! We've got your back with five easy ways to sneak this nutritious veggie into your family's meals without anyone being the wiser. Your kiddos won’t even know they’re eating their greens!

Why zucchini rocks

First, let's discuss why zucchini is a superstar. This green wonder is low in calories, but high in essential nutrients like vitamin C, potassium, and fiber. It’s great for digestion, can boost your immune system, and even helps maintain healthy vision. Plus, its mild flavor makes it incredibly versatile, perfect for blending into dishes.

Here are five ways to sneak this nutritious veggie into your kids' diets:


 Ferreri Video | Canva

1. Zucchini muffins

Start your day right by whipping up some zucchini muffins. Shred a zucchini (you won’t even notice it’s there!) and mix it into your favorite muffin batter. The kids will love the moist texture, and you’ll love the sneaky veggie boost.


Arina Habich | Canva

2. Hidden zucchini spaghetti sauce

Enhance your spaghetti sauce by adding shredded zucchini. Simply shred a zucchini, add it to a pan and stir it into your regular sauce as it simmers. It blends right in and is virtually undetectable. Your family will enjoy a hearty, veggie-packed meal without realizing it!

3. Zucchini meatballs

Mix shredded zucchini into your meatball mixture. Combine it with ground meat, breadcrumbs, and your usual spices. The zucchini keeps the meatballs moist and adds a hidden serving of vegetables. Perfect for spaghetti night or as a party appetizer! We like to freeze these meatballs for easy anytime use!

4. Hidden zucchini smoothie

Blend zucchini into smoothies for an extra nutrient kick. Combine with fruits like banana and berries, a bit of yogurt, and honey. The zucchini adds a creamy texture without altering the flavor. Or try it in homemade ice cream! Here's a zucchini ice cream recipe.


 A_Lein | Canva

5. Sneaky zucchini brownies

Yes, you read that right — brownies! Add grated zucchini to your favorite brownie mix. It makes them extra moist and fudgy. The kids will be begging for more, and you’ll be secretly high-fiving yourself for the hidden veggies.

Give these a try and watch your family happily devour their veggies. Happy cooking!

This article was generated with the assistance of ChatGPT, an AI language model developed by OpenAI.