by Alison Anton
Zucchini? It seems so obvious, doesn't it? Although not a celebrity next to all the shining stars at the farmers market, it does happen to be one of the most widely known vegetables in the world. Also the most over-grown. Is there any other garden veggie that gets pawned off more than the humble zucchini?
Despite its ho-hum status, zucchini provides us with some worthy health benefits. Notably, it is the main ingredient in a powerful healing broth created by Dr. Henry Beiler, clinical nutritionist and author of Food is Your Best Medicine. Beiler Broth is an alkalizing formula, rich in minerals that restore the liver's ability to better digest foods. It is usually taken during periods of fasting, but is also drunk as a daily tonic between meals.
Because it is so alkalizing in nature, zucchini is quite digestible, even for those who have a hard time with other vegetables. Alkaline foods balance the pH scales, and are of utmost importance to help rid the body of the toxic build-up created by the acid-forming foods in the Standard American Diet (SAD).
For flavor, bigger isn't always better. Go for small zucchinis not more than 6 inches in length. You'll find them easily at the farmers market. Dice or grate than into salads, slice thin and toss into stir fries, or put them alongside carrots and celery for a summertime crudite. Of course, there's always zucchini bread to pawn off if you find an overgrowth of zucchini in your own back yard.
©2008 Copyright Alison Anton - All rights reserved.