Healthy Tahini Miso Zucchini Vegetable Dip (not hummus)

Some days opening a can of chickpeas, rinsing them, rinsing the can, & taking off the label for recycling is not something I want to do. This was my conundrum when packing a lunch for my family for a hike. I love veggies and dip, I love healthy, I love food that is filling, I love homemade, but I also love ease, (and yes, it's easy to open a can of chickpeas...but I still didn't feel like it).

So, I made up a delicious dip out of ingredients that I had on-hand:

1/4 large zucchini

2 Tbsp tahini

1 Tbsp aged miso

1/4 cup olive oil (more if desired)

3 Tbsp apple cider vinegar

1 tsp cumin

1/4 tsp paprika

Blend.

Serve.

Done.

It was delicious - even for my 2 year old, and a great alternative to hummus, especially if you're a non-legume eater (paleo, sensitivities etc).

Tahini is a great source of calcium - always a priority for my toddler

Zucchini is a bitter vegetable which stimulates digestion and is a great source of vitamins C and A

Aged miso (fermented soy) contains flavonoids, amino acids, and minerals like manganese and zinc

Apple Cider Vinegar helps stabilize blood glucose, improves mineral absorption, and supports digestion

Olive Oil has polyphenols which support antioxidant status and decrease inflammation

Cumin contains iron and helps assimilate nutrients

Paprika has trace minerals, magnesium, calcium, vitamin A, and B vitamins