Spice up your summer with Asian-style zucchini magic

When you think you've tried every zucchini recipe, a new one suddenly emerges, changing your approach to this vegetable. Calling zucchini "versatile" and "universal" seems like an understatement. This time, I encourage you to try spicy zucchini.

Zucchini is the true queen of summer. You've probably eaten it more than once and in many different dishes. Soups, pancakes, salads – this list is just the beginning. There are so many ways to prepare it that everyone will find something to their taste.

It's worth eating zucchini because it's affordable, delicious, and healthy. It has plenty of advantages. For many people, its low-calorie content is important, making it an ideal choice for those watching their weight. Additionally, zucchini is packed with vitamins and minerals that positively impact health. It's a true treasure trove of nutrients. Among others, it contains potassium, which is crucial for properly functioning muscles and the nervous system. It is also a valuable source of B vitamins, especially niacin (B3) and B6, which positively influence metabolism and the functioning of the nervous system. Additionally, antioxidants, such as vitamin C and lutein, boost the immune system and protect eyesight.

Think zucchini is bland and tasteless? If this is the reason you can't bring yourself to like it, try this recipe. You'll find that zucchini can be very spicy. Just season it in an Asian style with chilli flakes and garlic. For this recipe, you'll also need sriracha sauce, which is based on chilli peppers. It's considered one of the spiciest sauces in the world. It's an excellent source of capsaicin – the active spicy ingredient that scientists say triggers a euphoric effect in our brains and also helps with digestion.

The recipe for Asian-style zucchini is ridiculously simple. However, a few ingredients typical of this cuisine are needed. If you're a fan of it, you surely have them. This prepared zucchini can be served with rice for a light supper or as a warm side dish to grilled meat, like poultry or fish.

Ingredients:

• 45 millilitres sesame oil,
• 2 zucchinis,
• 15 millilitres light soy sauce,
• 45 millilitres sweet and sour sauce,
• 15 millilitres hot sriracha sauce,
• 2 grams chili flakes,
• 1-2 cloves garlic,
• 30 millilitres roasted sesame seeds,
• finely chopped chives for serving.

Preparation Method:

1. Wash the zucchini, cut them into sticks, and put them in a bowl.
2. Add light soy sauce, sweet and sour sauce, sriracha sauce, chili flakes, and roasted sesame seeds. Mix to combine the ingredients.
3. Heat 45 millilitres of sesame oil in a pan, place the zucchini drained from the sauce in it. Fry it together with the finely chopped garlic.
4. Then add the remaining sauce and heat for a moment. The zucchinis should stay crispy and firm. Sprinkle them with chopped chives on the plate.