By Ivana Dragica |
Protect your prostate and lower cholesterol levels with summer squash |
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Recently, the season of this wonderful vegetable has started.
There are many types of squash of various colors and shapes, but small dark-green zucchini that look like big cucumbers are most common ones.
Alongside melons and cucumbers, squash belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family.
Although it is a fruit, most of us see it as a vegetable.
Squash comes from America, and humans have been consuming this vegetable for over 10,000 years.
It is believed that today's type of zucchini was developed over time in Italy.
Health benefits of summer squash
Summer squash is low in calories and high in nutrients. It is an excellent food for weight loss because it fills the stomach and thereby gives a sense of satiety.
It is an excellent source of vitamins B and C, manganese and potassium, while the yellow squash is rich in beta carotene.
Most of these valuable substances are in squash peel, so do not remove it.
Daily consumption of squash feeds our organism with dietary fiber, which improves digestion, prevents constipation and eliminates intestinal toxins.
This reduces the likelihood of colon cancer, controls blood sugar and reduces appetite.
Compounds in squash protect heart health and lower cholesterol. Thanks to that they reduce the risk of atherosclerosis, heart attack and stroke.
Studies show that phytonutrients from squash help reduce the symptoms of an enlarged prostate - a disease that causes problems with urination and sexual intercourse in men.
Due to the high content of manganese, squash has beneficial effect on all body functions. It promotes protein and carbohydrate metabolism, stimulates libido and accelerates the synthesis of fatty acids and cholesterol.
Manganese is essential for the production of proline, an amino acid that allows the formation of collagen, making the skin healthier and healing of the wounds faster.
Therefore, if you have dry skin, put sliced zucchini on your face, leave it there for twenty minutes and rinse. Your skin will be soft and fresh.
Health benefits of summer squash:
- it has anti-inflammatory effect
- increases energy levels
- promotes weight loss
- lowers cholesterol levels
- cleanses intestinal toxins
- prevents prostate diseases
- improves digestion
- stimulates libido
- makes the skin healthier
- protects the health of the fetus
Cultivating summer squash
Summer squash is a vegetable that is easy to cultivate. It can be planted in the garden or in pots if you do not have a garden.
Outside it is planted after the danger of frost passes. Squashes like fertile, humus rich soil and sunny places.
Their season begins in May and lasts until July. Regular picking encourages the plant to form new flowers, increasing the yield.
Summer squash should be picked daily. Fruits that grow over 12 cm in length lose their culinary properties.
Summer squash in cuisine
Summer squash is a popular food throughout the world. It is used for making bread in Italy, quesadillas in Mexico, ratatouille in France.
In Turkey they make pancakes with squash, and in Bulgaria they fry squash and serve it with yogurt.
The list is long - summer squash can be used for making many dishes.
They can be fried, used in sauces and soups or stuffed, mixed with other vegetables or cottage ceese.
Zucchini can be added to a salad with cucumbers, where you will not even notice a difference in taste.
You can also use zucchini for making very healthy spaghetti. Simply cut them into thin strips, season them with salt to release water, fry and serve with your favorite pasta sauce.
In addition to zucchini fruits, you can use flowers in your cuisine, too.
Zucchini with cheese and herbs
Ingredients:
- one medium zucchini
- half a cup of cream cheese
- one cup feta cheese
- two tablespoons of chopped onion
- two teaspoons of chopped herbs, for example, basil, thyme, tarragon
- a tablespoon of oil
- salt, pepper, paprika
- one cup of bread crumbs for breading
Preparation:
Briefly fry hollowed and halved zucchini on the grill. Fill it with a mixture of the above mentioned ingredients and roll into bread crumbs. Bake covered on the grill for about fifteen minutes until it takes on a golden color.
Zucchini salad
Ingredients:
- one chopped tomato
- ten finely chopped basil leaves
- two tablespoons of vinegar
- two tablespoons of olive oil
- 3 minced cloves of garlic
- 400 grams of zucchini cut into thin strips
Preparation:
Mix the above mentioned ingredients and add salt according to your liking.
Greek sauce with zucchini
Ingredients:
- 400 ml of Greek yogurt
- three cloves of chopped garlic
- 200 grams of grated zucchini
- two tablespoons of chopped dill
- two tablespoons of chopped mint
- pepper
-
salt
Preparation:
Mix the above mentioned ingredients. Cool the sauce in the fridge. Serve with rice or pasta.
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