Zucchini Bread - Moms' Secret Helper

By Brent Murdoch

A popular reaction of people, especially kids, to the mere mention of Zucchini Bread is "No way!" or even "Yuck." Don't knock it until you've tried it.

One of the hardest jobs every mother has is to convince their kids to eat their vegetables. Letting kids know the importance of having veggies in their diet is almost always exhausting and time-consuming. Here is a solution to make mom's life easier. It not only helps with the problem with the kids but it is actually very beneficial for everyone in the family as well: Zucchini Bread.

Zucchini bread is not as bad as it sounds. You'll be surprised as to how good it actually tastes and even more amazed with the nutritional facts about this food. It is very low in calories, has no saturated fats, and no cholesterol. It is highly beneficial for those trying to lose weight and those who are trying to control their cholesterol levels. It contains foliates which help prevent neural tube defects in the fetus of pregnant women. The peeling alone is a good source of dietary fiber which helps reduce or prevent constipation. It also contains manganese, vitamin C (which makes it a good anti-oxidant), vitamin A, potassium, and the vitamin B complex group. It is obviously a vitamin- and nutrient-filled food source.

There are plenty of recipes available on how to make Zucchini bread so you may want to try different ones to find out which one best suits your family's preference. You can check out your local bookstores for recipe books or choose one from the various recipes available online. Whichever procedure you choose to follow, here are a few general tips:

It is always best to use freshly harvested zucchini. Try to avoid the large ones since they have the tendency to be hard and dry as compared to the small to medium-sized ones that are moist.

Avoid using huge chunks of zucchini. Try to make them into smaller pieces. Use a grater or a chopster, it will be less time-consuming. It will also prevent the kids from taking out the zucchini. The almost invisible pieces will make it seem like the vegetable is not there.

Use the peeling of the zucchini. Remember that the peeling is rich in fiber. Don't worry, it won't affect the taste.

Try to incorporate your favorite herbs and spices. Some of the more popular ones used are nutmeg and cinnamon. You can also try your favorite fruits, nuts, chocolate - preferably dark chocolate, or maybe raisins if you want.

For moist Zucchini bread, use full fat yogurt.

You can form the bread into different shapes, loaf, muffins, cupcakes, or maybe even donuts. Do not be afraid to experiment with shapes.

Moms will never again have a hard time convincing the tots to eat their zucchini. With this delectable, easy to make zucchini bread, do not be surprised if they keep asking for more.