Recipe: Roasted Garlic, Zucchini and Tomato Bake

This colorful and healthy side dish will brighten any meal. Garlic is a super veggie that helps reduce risks for colon, stomach, esophagus, pancreas and breast cancers. Tomatoes and zucchini are packed with vitamins and minerals. Plus, you can puree any leftovers for a yummy salsa dip!

Ingredients

• 2 zucchini cut in half lengthwise, then cut into 1/2-inch, half-moon shapes
• 2 cups quartered ripe tomatoes (or grape tomatoes)
• 1/2 sweet onion, minced (or red onion to add color)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 450 F. Lightly oil a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Combine the zucchini, tomatoes, onion, garlic and red pepper flakes in the prepared baking dish.
3. Drizzle with the olive oil, season with salt and pepper. Mix well.
4. In a separate small bowl, combine the Parmesan cheese, garlic powder and fresh basil. Set aside.
5. Roast vegetables until tender or slightly golden, about 18 minutes. Remove from the oven. Sprinkle with the Parmesan mixture. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Ingredient health benefits

• Squash: More than decorative items for autumn, squashes like zucchini are loaded with delicious perks. Antioxidants like beta-carotene protect your cells from free radicals. And minerals like calcium, iron and magnesium help support your blood, bones, muscles and energy levels to keep you moving and grooving 24/7.
• Tomatoes: No matter how you pronounce them, here are some facts we can all agree on: Tomatoes are rich in potassium, which helps manage blood pressure, and vitamin C, which helps maintain a strong immune system. And did you know a compound called lycopene may support your heart health? If not, you’re welcome.
• Onions: These alliums are the unsung heroes of our digestive systems. Onions have prebiotics, an essential food source for the good bacteria in your gut, and fiber to keep things running smoothly. They also have flavonoids, with perks ranging from suppressing unwanted inflammation to promoting a healthy brain.
• Garlic: The benefits of this everyday superfood are just as powerful as its flavor. Regularly eating garlic can boost your immune system and may help lower your blood pressure. And to top it off, garlic has antibacterial properties that may protect your food from germs.
• Olive oil: There are many reasons to use olive oil in this dish — as well as in your overall diet. This popular cooking oil has vitamin A and vitamin E, which are good for your eyes and skin, and vitamin K, which supports your bones so they can support you. Olive oil also lowers “bad” (LDL) cholesterol and raises “good” (HDL) cholesterol, helping keep your blood vessels clear of plaque.
• Cheese: Though the moon may not be made of cheese, the nutrition this dairy product provides is out of this world. Cheese is full of probiotics for a happy gut and omega-3 fatty acids (omega-3s), which support your body from head to toe. And you may be surprised to know that a protein found in cheese might fight bacteria that harm dental health.

Nutrition information (per serving)

Makes 4 servings
Serving size = 1 cup

Calories: 204
Total fat: 16.8 g
Saturated fat: 3.7 g
Fiber 2.4 g
Protein: 5.9 g
Sodium: 262 mg
Calcium: 180 mg
Magnesium: 40 mg
Potassium: 440 mg