By Gretchen McKay From Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Home gardeners like to complain about their gardens being overrun with zucchini when the fruit starts to kick into high gear in midsummer. But for people who love the prolific, vining summer squash, that’s a blessing and not a curse. There are just so many ways to incorporate zucchini…

If one of your resolutions for the New Year is to get healthier, that doesn’t mean you have to abandon all of your favorite dishes in one fell swoop. There are plenty of ways to make your go-to comfort meals with some easy, health conscious swaps. Take pasta for example, the silky, carby ingredient is a common craving, but…

By Chef Enrico Alaggia These low-carb zucchini fritters are perfect as an appetizer or side dish. They’re an easy-to-make, gluten-free, crispy on the outside but tender and flavorful on the inside dish that’s perfect for a keto diet. A popular alternative to traditional wheat flour, almond flour is low in carbs, high in healthy fats, protein, and…

The Best Zucchini Bread Last year, we thought we’d up our game by planting two baby zucchini plants in our little garden. We were shocked when our two humble plants rapidly morphed into unstoppable zucchini growing machines that took over the entire garden. Our largest squash was half the size of a 4th grader and…

At my local farmers market the other day, I was watching the stand of a farmer friend as he made the rounds. I chatted with shoppers, handled their money as if I were the farmer, and silently took credit for all the amazing produce I didn’t grow. One of my customers bought a pile of…

The zucchini is an underestimated nutritional treasure. The peak harvesting season for this delicious member of the gourd family in the Northern Hemisphere is from May to August. When harvested correctly, zucchini (Cucurbita pepo) is dark green and has firm fruit. Although most people think of it as a summer vegetable, it is, indeed, a…

My recipes are meant to help everyone enjoy more fruits, vegetables, whole grains and beans. Diabetics and people who are trying to lose weight need to avoid refined grains, sugar and calorie-dense foods such as added fats, meat and eggs, so I don’t use them. Please enjoy this healthy “pasta” 2 Servings (recipe can easily…

When it comes to grilling, the first thing you might think about is grilling chicken, burgers and other meats. One of the best parts of the grill, though, is that you can cook an entire meal over the heated grates. Crispy, seared veggies on the side? Yes, please. Grilled zucchini is one of the easiest vegetables…

Few things make for a better dinner during the warmest days of summer than a refreshing salad. But sometimes those leafy greens need a little extra umph and a carby side dish — like this chile cornbread — always does the trick. Quick breads are the easiest way to take your dinner to the next level. As the…

By Gretchen McKay From Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Zucchini is among the most prolific of summer vegetables, in large part because it’s so easy for even beginner gardeners to grow. It’s especially popular here in Pittsburgh, where thin, fried ribbons of the thin-skinned squash served with a side of marinara sauce made its tasty debut in the…