Here ares six plant-based Greek recipes for zucchini, one of the classic Mediterranean Diet ingredients of summer. In the Greek diet, just about every cooking method can be applied to zucchini, including, of course, stuffing the tender blossoms. For people interested in cooking more plant-based vegetarian or vegan Mediterranean recipes, zucchini is a great option because it is so versatile.
The Greek diet and Mediterranean diet respectively call for fish as a main source of protein. This Greek recipe for grilled salmon is simple and calls for some of the most basic Mediterranean diet ingredients: olives, tomatoes, herbs, capers and, of course, Greek extra virgin olive oil. You can prepare this dish with salmon fillets or steaks.
On Ikaria, my native island and a Blue Zone, renowned for the longevity of its inhabitants, there are lots of secrets to my fellow islanders’ legendary life spans. Weeds – or, better put, wild (and cultivated) edible greens and herbs – are key! And while Mediterranean gardens are loaded up with plenty of varieties, today I want to focus on arugula, one of the most beloved salad greens in the Mediterranean. It grows wild on the island but it is also a favorite cultivated green, too.
SHAVED ZUCCHINI TIP: The best vegetable parer for shaving zucchini is the Y-shaped one. You always want to shave the zucchini right before preparing the recipe. You can turn any excess shaved zucchini into a simple and refreshing salad by tossing it with olive oil, salt, some grated or shaved cheese and toasted nuts or […]
MAKE AHEAD TIP: You can easily freeze these little broccoli frittata muffins. Let them cool completely first and refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze in a ziplock bag for up to a month. To reheat, either bake on low heat until warmed through or microwave for half a minute.
NOTE: People in the Eastern Mediterranean have been drinking fermented dairy products like kefir and labneh as refreshments in warm months for eons. They’ve also been enjoying tart, fermented yogurt forever and consider it one of the healthiest foods in the world. This garlic-free iteration of tzatziki, with its delicious and light cucumber and aromatic […]
AVOCADOS 101 There are many different varieties of avocado available in the market. The most common and one of the creamiest is the Hass variety, with its pebbly skin, which darkens slightly as it ripens. That’s the variety I’d recommend for this and most mashed avocado dishes because its texture is silky and its nutty […]
NOTE: This is such a beautiful and versatile soup and can be dressed up or down for so many different occasions. You can serve it chilled, too. It’s also chock full of great nutrition since red peppers are one of the best sources of vitamin C, an important antioxidant, in the vegetable world. They’re also […]
HELPFUL TIP I’ve tried making cauliflower crusts by steaming the riced cauliflower, but cauliflower contains a surprising amount of moisture and the crust always ended up being a little soggy. By baking the riced cauliflower first, you help dry it out. You’ll be surprised, however, that more moisture seeps out of it when you start […]
SCALLOP NUTRITION There’s something really special about the elegant scallop! It’s one of the world’s most revered shellfish, often served forth in rich sauces. But it’s also a delicious and highly nutritious addition to salads and will make them extra special. Scallops are a very high quality protein with little fat and an excellent source […]