Ready for some fabulous veggie mania?
How about Zucchini pasta? Cauliflower tortillas and pizza crust? Broccoli fritters?
Yes, these recipes are low-carb, low-cal, and vegetarian (with some also gluten-free), but that’s not why I love them.
Number one is taste. They are delicious!
Plus, when you bake instead of fry, they are healthier choices than the traditional versions.
Still not keen on veggies patties or breadless pizza? What if I said your beloved cheese can come along for the ride? Then could you give these a try?
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Um, Mom, what did you put in here?
Remember all those books a few years back telling us how to hide veggies in meals so kids would still get their nutrients without the ‘ick’ of vegetables?
I’m not sure how well that worked but I personally like this approach much better. Instead of hiding the vegetables under other stuff, let them become the stars. In a cheesy kind of way, if you like.
These recipes use zucchini, cauliflower, and broccoli in place of large amounts of refined flour. This makes the recipes lower in calories and much more stable on the glycemic index (for those with blood sugar problems).
And there’s no need to hide them. These healthy, delicious alternatives may soon become your faves simply for the taste.
Try making a few of the recipes and find what you like. Then make your top picks in batches and stash them in fridge or freezer. A zucchini patty is a perfect afternoon snack when dinner is just a little too far off.
About the Recipes
If you are new to this crazy concept of actually eating vegetables and enjoying them, I suggest you try the recipes as they are shown. From there, you can start experimenting to come up with your variations. You may want to add some favourite herbs and spices to kick things up a notch or enjoy them just as they are.
- If you are vegan, you use your favourite egg and cheese substitutes.
- I use zucchini, cauliflower, and broccoli interchangeably in all of these recipes.
- If you prefer, cooked meats can always be added. But please give the veggies a chance to shine all on their own first!
Some of the recipes are in the videos (below). The rest link to the source websites.
Pizza Crust
Let’s start at the bottom. If you want to cut back on bread (carbs, sugars), try a veggie crust. I use them for pizzas as well as wraps.
1. Cauliflower Pizza Crust | Myrecipes.com
Baked, vegetarian, gluten-free. Recipe includes egg and cheese.
Pasta / Noodles
2. Zucchini Noodles | Dani Spies
One ingredient only!
The kitchen tool featured in the video is a veggetti. See it here at Amazon. com.
You can also use a vegetable peeler, box grater, mandolin, or knife.
Fritters & Patties
If veggies are a foreign language to you and you’re not ready to dive in wholeheartedly, there is a way to make baked patties extra delicious without the negatives of deep frying.
After baking them in the oven, brush on small amount of oil, and fry them gently and briefly until the outside crisps up. Yum.
If you have a panini press or similar grill or waffle maker, that should work too.
3. Baked vegan zucchini fritters | It Doesn’t Take Like Chicken
Baked, vegan, recipe includes flour.
4. Zucchini fritters | Laura Vitale
Fried, vegetarian. Recipe includes flour and eggs.
Fried, vegetarian. Recipe includes flour and eggs.
Patties
6. Baked broccoli and cheese patties | Culinary Couture
Baked, vegetarian. Recipes includes breadcrumbs, eggs, and cheese.
Tots
7. Skinny baked cauliflower tots | Gimme Delicious
Baked, vegetarian. Recipe includes breadcrumbs, egg, and cheese.
Biscuits & Muffins
8. Cauliflower biscuits | Cooking Light
Baked, vegetarian, gluten-free. Recipe includes eggs and cheese.
9. Jalapeno cheddar cauliflower muffins (gluten free) | I Breath I’m Hungry
Baked, vegetarian, gluten-free. Recipe includes egg and cheese.
10. Gluten-free Cajun frittatas | The Domestic Geek
Baked, gluten-free. Recipe includes sausage, eggs, milk.
These ones bake in muffin tins for good snack sizes to store in the fridge or freezer.
That’s it! I’m hoping you found something enticing. These poor veggies have been overcooked and pulverized for years. It’s time we claim them back and enjoy them!
~Melissa the Empress of Dirt ♛
Thank you for including my zucchini fritters in this collection. These recipes all look so scrumptious!!!
Hi Sam, You’re welcome! Lovely recipe!