Spinach and Zucchini Garlic Lime

Sharing is caring!

Spinach and zucchini are some of my favorite go-to veggies. The addition of lemon, oil, and garlic are great spices to add to make this dish taste great. Have you tried lime on veggies? Like its counterpart lemon, the tart taste pairs very nicely with the olive oil, veggies, and garlic in this dish. It is a great side for your main dish or you can have it as a snack.

Spinach and Zucchini Garlic Lime In a White Bowl with a Fork and Green and White Towel | The Radiant Root

*Disclaimer: Some of these links are affiliate links, this means when you sign up or purchase from these links we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. The Radiant Root is also a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Learn more in our disclosure statement.

Ingredients in This Dish May Help Relieve Stress

The shopping list for this recipe calls for only five ingredients: garlic, extra virgin olive oil, lime, spinach, and zucchini. It provides a host of health benefits that help to relieve stress.

When we are undergoing stress out our bodies will deplete essential nutrients like zinc, B vitamins, and magnesium. Making sure you’re getting a diet high in nutrients will help your body cope with the physical stress response.

Ingredients in Spinach and Zucchini Recipe Zucchini, Spinach, LIme, Garlic, Extra Virgin Olive Oil | The Radiant Root
Jump to Recipe

Spinach May Help Lower Stress, Anxiety, and Depression

Spinach and zucchini are good sources of folate. Those with anxiety and depression often have low folate levels. Chronic stress often is accompanied by anxiety and depression so getting enough folate is important. Folate is also an essential nutrient for body function. It provides energy to cells and can give you 

Spinach is also rich in zinc. Zinc can lower inflammation and improve immune function. This nutrient was also seen to help with depression so getting enough is important.

Many people do not get enough magnesium. Luckily spinach is a great source of this mineral. Adding foods like spinach to the diet can help to improve the function of your central nervous system (CNS) which plays a role in stress. Magnesium can control the part of the brain that triggers stress. Magnesium-rich foods may help to prevent and calm stress.

Nutrients in Zucchini Are Necessary For Combating Stress

You can never have enough vegetables in your diet. I like to try to add a vegetable serving to every meal. This ensures a wide variety of nutrients. It also can help with calming the body when it comes to stress. 

Zucchini is rich in nutrients that help with stress relief. It contains vitamin 6, magnesium, fiber, and antioxidants including zeaxanthin. 

Stress can increase blood pressure. The magnesium and potassium found in zucchini may help to lower blood pressure. Magnesium deficiency may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Vitamin B6 can help lower blood pressure in animals.

B vitamins are responsible for increasing energy production so if you find yourself lagging this recipe provides nutrients that will give you an energy boost.

Chronic stress can affect the health of your gut. Incorporating more fiber into the diet creates healthy gut bacteria which can help to improve a stressed-out gut. Zucchini is a great source of fiber providing 8 grams in just one cup. 

Zucchini is also rich in zeaxanthin. This antioxidant can lower stress and reduce cortisol. Cortisol is a hormone. It is released as a response to stress. Excess cortisol is harmful to the body in large doses. Those with chronic stress may have an abundance of cortisol production which can weaken the immune system and put your health at risk. 

Cortisol production may cause insulin resistance and increase blood sugar. This could put someone at risk for type 2 diabetes.

Consuming foods like zucchini help reduces cortisol and lower stress due to its abundance of nutrients.

Lime Juice May Help Lower Stress

Lime is often used to flavor drinks. It’s got a tangy tart flavor that also pairs well with garlic. Not only does this food taste good but it also provides a host of nutrition. Like lemons, lime juice is a good source of vitamin C giving you about 35% of your recommended daily intake. Vitamin C is helpful for providing immune support. Those with chronic stress may also benefit from foods with vitamin C. This nutrient may help with lowering anxiety.

Frozen and Prepped Veggies Can Save you Time

The biggest complaint I hear about cooking is the time it takes to make a meal. With everything you have going on preparing dinner can be the last thing on your mind. 

Dinner recipes don’t have to be lengthy and involved. There are ways to cut corners and still have a healthy meal that will satisfy your tastebuds.

One thing that has made dinnertime easy is using kitchen tools along with prepped and frozen veggies. I like having a freezer full of veggies on hand so I can just pull them out, season, and cook. It saves a ton of time. 

In this recipe, I opted for frozen spinach If you’re partial to fresh veggies baby spinach can be easily substituted. When using fresh spinach you want to have 5 cups for the recipe.

Zucchini is also known as summer squash. This versatile veggie can be used in so many ways. I like to get fresh and put it in my salads or add it to muffins and meatballs to get an extra dose of veggies.

If you’re feeling lazy you can opt for the pre-prepped zucchini noodles that are available in many produce departments. 

If you don’t have time to get to the food store you can use Instacart and let someone do the shopping for you. It gives you time to put together meal plans saving you time to focus on what is more important.

Jump to Recipe

How to Prepare this Spinach and Zucchini

I like to cook with a cast-iron pan* because it distributes heat and it provides a little extra iron to the diet. This type of pan is helpful because it lets you cook the vegetables over low heat preventing them from getting burnt.

The first thing you want to do is heat the pan for about two minutes to let it get hot. Then add the extra virgin olive oil and garlic. I like to use cold or expeller-pressed olive oil*. 

Cast Iron Pan with extra virgin oil heating | The Radiant Root

Fresh garlic makes a nice taste but can be sometimes a pain to prep. I have found using a garlic peeler* and garlic press* makes cooking with fresh garlic a lot easier.

Once you have your garlic pressed you can add it to the pan. Let the garlic and oil simmer for about a minute or two.

Cast Iron Pan with Olive oil and Garlic heating up | The Radiant Root

Next, you can add in the spinach. I let my spinach thaw before adding it to the recipe. I will usually take the bag and put it in the fridge the day before to completely thaw it out. 

In a cast iron pan cooking olive oil, garlic, and spinach  | The Radiant Root

Once your spinach is mixed in with the oil and garlic you can stir in the zucchini ribbons and cook for 3 minutes until well mixed.

Zucchini ribbons can be made by using a special Julienne vegetable peeler*. First, peel the skin off with a regular peeler*. Then use the Julienne peeler to make ribbons. It’s as simple as peeling slices until the zucchini is no longer able to be peeled. You can even leave on the skin and just peel the zucchini with the Julienne vegetable peeler.

*Some of these links are affiliate links, which means when you sign up or purchase from these links we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more in our disclosure statement.

In a cast iron pan olive oil, garlic, spinach and zucchini  | The Radiant Root

Last you will stir in the lime juice mixing well. Cover the pan and let cook for another three minutes. Let it cool and it is ready to eat.

Finished Spinach and Zucchini with Garlic and Lime  | The Radiant Root

Equipment Used In This Recipe*

*Some of these links are affiliate links, which means when you sign up or purchase from these links we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more in our disclosure statement.

Want to Try This Recipe?Save it now on Pinterest!

Spinach and Zucchini with Garlic Lime

A tasty veggie side with just a few ingredients. This spinach, zucchini, garlic, and lime will make a great addition to any meal
Course Appetizer, Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine AIP, American, dairy-free, keto, no added sugar, paleo, whole30
Keyword 30 minute meal, quick meal, stove top side
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Servings 4 1/2 cup
Calories* 112kcal

Ingredients

  • 1  lb Thawed frozen spinach
  • 1 medium  Zucchini peeled into ribbons
  • tbsp  Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • cloves Garlic peeled and mashed with a garlic press
  • LIme juiced

Instructions

  • Peel the zucchini with a vegetable peeler and then make Zucchini ribbons peeling the zucchini with a Julienne vegetable peeler. Peel the zucchini until there it is no longer able to be peeled. Set aside the zucchini ribbons
  • Warm the skillet over medium heat for about 2 minutes
  • Heat the olive oil
  • Add the garlic, stirring, and let saute for a minute
  • Add the spinach stirring for one minute
  • Add the zucchini ribbons and cook for 3 minutes stirring until well mixed
  • Add the lime juice, mix well, cover, and cook for another 3 minutes
  • Once done mix well, let cool, and serve

Video

Notes

*If your spinach is frozen and not thawed you will need to cook it covered for an additional minute or two. Once it gets to be soft you can continue with the additional ingredients
 
*If you prefer fresh spinach you can use 5 cups of fresh baby spinach in the recipe. If you don’t want to cut zucchini ribbons you can substitute fresh or frozen zucchini noodles.
*Nutritional information is estimated using Nutrifox nutrition label maker*
 

*Disclaimer: Some of these links are affiliate links, this means when you sign up or purchase from these links we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. The Radiant Root is also a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Learn more in our disclosure statement.

Tried this recipe? Share Your Creation With Us!Mention @RadiantRootFB and/or tag #TheRadiantRootFoodBlog!

Have you tried Spinach and Zucchini with Lime? We love hearing from you and want to see your creation! Please leave a comment below or share a picture of your recipe and tag us on FacebookInstagram, or Pinterest.

More Veggie Saute Recipes

Get Recipes Delivered to Your Inbox

Get Our Recipes Days Before We Post them on Social!

Want to be the first to get our new recipes?
Subscribe to our email newsletter for exclusive access to the recipes days BEFORE they are posted on our social pages!
You will also get our FREE Meal Planning Cheat Sheet when you subscribe.
Click the button below to sign up!

The information on this website has not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration or any other medical body. All website services, content, and products are shared for informational purposes only. The Radiant Root and Jnettk LLC cannot provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Consult your doctor or healthcare provider before making changes to your, diet, supplement regimen or lifestyle. Learn more in our disclaimer.

Sharing is caring!

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Scroll to Top