Zucchini Couscous
Elevate your weeknight dinners with this vibrant Zucchini Couscous recipe—a quick and flavorful dish bursting with Mediterranean-inspired goodness. Tender cubes of zucchini are sautéed to golden perfection, then combined with fluffy, herb-infused couscous cooked in aromatic vegetable broth seasoned with cumin, coriander, and garlic. A splash of fresh lemon juice and a sprinkle of parsley add a bright, zesty finish, while optional red chili flakes give it a subtle kick. Ready in just 25 minutes, this versatile recipe is perfect as a light vegetarian main or a complementary side dish for grilled meats or vegetables. Packed with wholesome ingredients and bold flavors, Zucchini Couscous is sure to become a staple in your healthy recipe rotation!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup couscous
- 2 medium zucchini
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1.5 cups vegetable broth
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.25 teaspoon red chili flakes (optional)
Instructions
Wash and trim the ends of the zucchinis. Cut them into small, evenly-sized cubes.
Mince the garlic cloves and finely chop the parsley.
In a medium-sized pot, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the zucchini cubes and sauté for 5-7 minutes until they are tender and slightly golden. Remove the zucchini and set aside.
In the same pot, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil and the minced garlic. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Add the ground cumin, ground coriander, and red chili flakes (if using) to the pot, and stir for 15 seconds to toast the spices.
Pour the vegetable broth into the pot and bring to a boil. Stir in the salt and black pepper.
Remove the pot from heat and immediately stir in the couscous. Cover the pot and let it sit for 5 minutes to allow the couscous to absorb the broth.
After 5 minutes, fluff the couscous with a fork. Gently mix in the sautéed zucchini, lemon juice, and chopped parsley.
Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve warm as a standalone dish or alongside grilled vegetables or protein of choice.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
166 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 8.2 g | 10% | |
| Saturated Fat | 1.2 g | 6% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.2 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 464 mg | 20% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 20.1 g | 7% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.0 g | 11% | |
| Total Sugars | 3.5 g | ||
| Protein | 4.7 g | 9% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 41 mg | 3% | |
| Iron | 1.7 mg | 10% | |
| Potassium | 484 mg | 10% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
