Weekend Dessert - Zucchini Brownies

These sweet and tasty treats are guilt free since they are vegan, low in sugar, high in fiber and gluten free yet still intense in chocolate flavor! 

Zucchinis are high in folic acid, which is necessary for women trying to conceive and in the early stages of pregnancy. It also contains high amounts of Vitamin A, potassium and magnesium. So go ahead and indulge in one (or two!) of these brownies to fill in that chocolate craving! 

· 1/2 cup shredded zucchini (about 1 zucchini) 

· 1/3 cup applesauce 

· 1 cup plus 2 tbsp water 

· 2 tsp pure vanilla extract

· 3 tbsp grounded flax or chia seeds

· 1/2 cup plus 2 tbsp coconut oil 

· 3/4 cup cocoa powder 

· 1 cup coconut flour or whole wheat pastry flour if not GF 

· 1/2 tsp salt

· 1/2 tsp baking soda

· 3/4 cup coconut palm sugar

· 1/2 cup chocolate chips, optional

Preheat oven to 350F, and line a 9×13 baking dish with parchment paper. Set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the first 6 ingredients and let sit at least 5 minutes.

Combine all other ingredients in a separate bowl, and stir very well. Pour wet into dry, stir until evenly mixed, then pour into the baking dish. Using a full sheet of parchment or wax paper, press down very firmly until the brownie batter evenly covers the pan. 

Bake about 20 minutes, then pat down with a sheet of parchment. 

Let sit 15 minutes before trying to cut into squares. Makes 20-24 squares.

Chantal Jura is a holistic nutritionist student that believes passionately that we can help prevent and treat disease with whole, clean, high-quality, minimally processed foods. After working over 7 years in marketing & public relations across Canada and the U.S., she was inspired to return to her first initial love- nutrition. She believes that our nutritional goals in life should not be to get thin quickly, or to succumb to emotional eating, but to eat a balanced diet based on our individual needs and have it become a lifestyle. Chantal likes to address digestion, balance, and moderation for each individual and their needs. As a current student at the Edison Institute of Nutrition, Chantal is committed to working toward the expertise and mastery of holistic nutrition to one day soon be able to practice and help others attain their optimal health. Additionally, Chantal holds a B.A. in French Studies from California State University, Long Beach. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Chantal currently lives in Quebec City in Canada with her family. You can also follow her posts on her Facebook page: Sexy Turnip Health and Nutrition