Blueberry Zucchini Smoothie

This blueberry zucchini smoothie is a simple smoothie recipe made with fresh fruits and veggies like zucchini, apples, celery, and blueberries. The perfect way to start your day off right!

This blueberry zucchini smoothie is a simple recipe made with just a handful of nutritious ingredients. Zucchini, apple, and celery are blended with frozen blueberries to make this lightly sweetened, thick fruit smoothie.

Ground flaxseed adds fiber and omega-3 fatty acids, and also helps improve your digestive health. With this smoothie, you'll get two servings of fruits and two servings of vegetables - what a great way to start the day!

Enjoy this vegan blueberry zucchini smoothie alongside your regular breakfast, like a bowl of oatmeal or a few egg muffins. It also makes a great post-workout snack and helps keep you hydrated.

Ingredients and substitutions

• Zucchini - Rich in vitamin B6, potassium, and fiber. For this recipe, you'll need about a cup of cubed zucchini, or about one small, fresh zucchini, cubed.
• Apple - Filled with fiber and antioxidants. One small, cored apple that's been sliced or cubed. Small to medium pieces of fruit make it easier on your blender.
• Celery - Filled with antioxidants and vitamin C. You'll need two medium ribs. A rib is a single stick of celery, whereas a stalk is the entire bunch of celery. You'll need two medium celery sticks/ribs for this recipe.
• Frozen blueberries - High in antioxidants, vitamin C, and vitamin K. Using one frozen fruit helps thicken your smoothie and keep it cold, which is why I recommend using frozen blueberries rather than fresh. Frozen blueberries can be substituted with any frozen fruit you have on hand, like strawberries, peaches, or pineapple. I frequently make this smoothie with pineapple and it tastes great!
• Ground flaxseed - Adds nutrients to your smoothie, like fiber and omega-3 fatty acids. Can be substituted with chia seeds or hemp seeds if desired. This can also be omitted entirely if needed without affecting your smoothie.
• Liquid - Water works fine here, but you're welcome to use your favorite smoothie liquid, like almond milk or green tea.

Can you taste the zucchini in smoothies?

No, zucchini has a very mild flavor, and does not add any noticeable flavor to a smoothie. It's a great way to sneak extra veggies into your diet when you otherwise don't enjoy them on their own.

When paired with a vibrant fruit like blueberries, you won't even notice any green color in your smoothie. If you substitute blueberries with a light colored fruit, like pineapple, your smoothie will turn out a pale green from the zucchini skin.

Benefits of zucchini

Zucchini is a summer squash that's great for adding to your morning smoothies. It's rich in vitamin B6, potassium, and vitamin A. Zucchini is also high in fiber and low in calories.

Squash is also generally inexpensive and very easy to grow in home gardens. Have excess garden zucchini this summer? Add it to your morning smoothie!

Optional additions

Smoothies are very easy to customize and add extras to make them more filling. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Chia seeds or hemp seeds (in place of ground flaxseed)
• Protein powder
• Collagen peptides
• A dash of ground ginger, cinnamon, or nutmeg
• Handful of leafy greens, like spinach, lettuce, or kale