Zesty Orange Cream Paleo Zucchini Bread

June 6, 2016 64 Comments

Zesty Orange Cream Paleo Zucchini Bread! A classic zucchini bread recipe made healthy, paleo, and packed with vitamin C! This paleo zucchini bread is an easy to make and super refreshing with a ginger glaze to drizzle on top. One of our favorites year round!

If you could choose one bread to live off the rest of your life, what would it be? Is that too much pondering for a Monday? Ha, perhaps. But this is paleo zucchini bread made me ponder life’s choices. One bread for life? Yes, I choose this one! Why? Because it’s like…. ALL THE THINGS! Vegetables, fruit, lightly sweet, healthy fats, grain free, paleo (or paleoish), moist (ugh, hate that word but it’s true), and packed with Vitamin C. So basically a meal! Kidding. Kinda.

In all seriousness, it’s legit delish! Probably the few times I will bake during the summer too. For THIS PARTICULAR zesty paleo zucchini bread!

Now, let me tell you why I ended making batches of it. Get ready… nutrition nerd alert comin at ya!

You see, we’re entering into crazy Texas summer heat. And … you see, we’re kinda scattered all over the place with house sitting, jobs, coaching, etc. It’s not so much stressful as it is draining. Does that make sense? I knew my husband was super drained when he got from work when hr didn’t even want to go for a run. The man who loves to run for stress relief! Shocking.

So I figured we’d better start focusing on anti-inflammatory rich foods now before the 100F heat hits and all the “schtuff” of life adds up along with it.

A little inflammation is good for the body, allowing it to repair and rebuild properly.Ohhh but oxidative stress and chronic inflammation ain’t good ya’ll. Been there, done that. Trying hard to take my own advice this time and be PREPARED.

That being said, we’re aiming to make breakfast and lunches higher healthy fat/less grain with extra VITAMIN C, and Omegas . Dinners are a toss up since sometimes having rice or something gluten free and starchy can really help with cortisol and sleep.

Don’t know what I’m talking about? Just read my rice porridge post about carbs and recovery and it will make sense. Well hopefully! Haha.

Now, about this anti-inflammatory RICH orange ginger zucchini bread. I told you it was everything! I mean.. ALL THE THINGS!

All these foods are high in anti-oxidants (think Vitamins and such) that help reduce inflammation. Capeesh?

Fresh Oranges and Orange Juice– Hight in anti-oxidant VITAMIN C. Oh yea!
Ground Ginger– The Goddess of Herbs! So rich in anti-oxidants … like rich source of antioxidants including gingerols, shogaols, zingerones, and more. Ya, you knew those right? Haha. Kidding. But these anti-oxidants in ginger root to wonders for the body and can help reduce inflammation in the muscles. So less soreness!
Almonds – rich in anti-oxidant Vitamin E (fat soluble vitamin) which help fight against free radicals and oxidative stress. WOO! Although Vitamin E diminishes with high heating, you can still get a great source with this almond flour base.
Zucchini– Rich in Vitamin C and A. Plus did you know the squash seeds are said to be microbial and help with immunity? Yep, very cool!

Okay now let’s skip to the chop chop, blend, and bake! Oranges, ginger, zucchini, and more!

For best baking results, you will need to remove excess water from the zucchini after grating. This way its’ not all just water in your paleo zucchini bread or too soggy. Just press a towel down on the the grated zucchini or squeeze it in a towel.

Then you can blend the rest of you batter and fold it in at the end. Simple ingredients –> Eggs, oranges, juice, ginger, almond flour.. OH MY! ain’t it pretty?

Once that’s mixed, all you have left to do is bake.

Oh and let’s not forget the ginger glaze. Yes, it’s optional and it does have sugar (which is so not anti-inflammatory), but it’s a great option when serving this for guests or at a brunch. Ya know?

Plus I think the health perks of ginger override the sugar.. perhaps? Yes, let’s go with that. And remember, you can make a healthier powdered sugar EASY! Katie has a great recipe for sugar free powdered sugar.

Once the zucchini bread is all done and baked, just drizzle a little ginger glaze on top and enjoy!

We made a few batches and froze the rest. You know how i love freezing extra food. Total lifesaver!

Looking for the chocolate version? Food Faith Fitness has you covered with this Healthy Chocolate Paleo Zucchini Bread