Zucchini Pizza Bites

Another day, another ramen. College is hard, and worrying about nutrition can feel like too much sometimes. You know you should be eating your vegetables, but every time you cook, you find yourself overwhelmed with the thought of putting together a meal or a snack that includes some greens. You give in and grab your third ramen package of the week. If this sounds like you, look no further! Here is a quick, easy, and delicious way to dish up some nutrition in a fun snack or side dish!

With only five ingredients and a total cooking time under half an hour, this snack is a great option for those of us who need a quick way to boost our nutrition. Each ingredient is cheap and readily available at the grocery store. They all contribute to a healthy diet as well! The real star of this recipe, though, is the zucchini. Read on to learn more about why zucchini is a great option for these tasty pizza bites!

Zucchini is a fantastic vegetable for several reasons. First, it’s good for you! Zucchini contains many vitamins and minerals: in one serving, you can get a healthy dose of potassium, vitamin C, manganese, magnesium, and phosphorus. All of these nutrients are essential for a healthy body to function. Zucchini is also a food that is low on the glycemic index. Regular pizza bites include a crust that tends to be much higher on the glycemic index. This does not always cause an issue, but if you are on the lookout to regulate your blood sugar, zucchini is a great alternative for some cheesy goodness. If you are not quite convinced, it’s also rich in antioxidants and high in fiber. Antioxidants protect your body from oxidative stress, and fiber will aid in digestion.¹ In summation: zucchini rocks as far as your health goes.

Another reason you should love zucchini is that it is highly abundant in the late summer/early fall. If you happen to be making this recipe sometime between August and October², you’re in luck! It should be even cheaper than normal in your local grocery store. You can also check out a farmers market in your area to see if they have some fresh-picked zucchini for purchase. Shopping seasonally benefits you and your environment. Let’s discuss your personal gain first. With seasonal shopping, you receive different nutritional benefits from trying out a variety of fruits and vegetables. You will also be purchasing the best possible quality of your selected produce, as it will be more ripe and flavorful than ever. To top it off, your budget will thank you when it sees the low prices seasonal produce has to offer! Now, let’s talk about the environment. In a world with dwindling resources, it’s important to be mindful of sustainability. If you shop with the season, you are supporting more sustainable practices in your community. Because you are likely purchasing local produce, less transportation emissions will be put out into the environment. In addition, by eating what is abundantly available, you dim the likelihood of that item ending up in the landfill. It’s really a win-win situation.

Hopefully by now you are convinced that pizza zucchini bites are the snack for you. Follow along to make them for yourself!