Vegetables in desserts? Yes, those are pumpkin chocolate brownies

Vegetables in sweet dishes are no longer just a trend, but also a great opportunity to improve the nutritional value and flavours of our favourite desserts. Over the last few years, we have seen a growing interest in the inclusion of vegetables in desserts, which not only allows for innovative culinary creations, but also the opportunity to increase nutrient intake. In this article, we will explore which types of vegetables can be added to desserts, how this affects the taste, and what are the benefits of this culinary trend. In addition, we will share a recipe for chocolate brownies with courgettes, which is a great example of this approach.

The benefits of adding vegetables to desserts

• Increase Nutritional Value: Vegetables are rich in vitamins, minerals, fibre and antioxidants. When included in desserts, you gain additional nutrients, which contributes to a more balanced diet, especially if you find it difficult to eat enough vegetables.
• Reduce sugar: Some vegetables, such as sweet potatoes and courgettes, naturally contribute to sweetness, allowing you to reduce the amount of added sugar in recipes without losing the sweet taste.
• Enriching texture and flavour: Vegetables can add interesting texture and deeper flavour. For example, carrots can bring juiciness and a slight sweetness, while courgettes add moisture and tenderness.
• Increasing satiety: Vegetables are rich in fibre, which helps with satiety, which is useful if you want to reduce the amount of sweets or snacks you eat.
• Culinary creativity: Adding vegetables to desserts allows for culinary innovation. Using unusual ingredients can lead to unique and interesting flavours and textures.

Which vegetables go best in desserts?

Many types of vegetables are great to include in desserts. Here are some examples that have proven to be very successful:

Carrot: Carrot is a classic choice for desserts such as carrot cakes and muffins. Its natural sweetness and juiciness contribute to its rich texture and pleasant taste.

Sweet potato: Sweet potatoes are versatile and add natural sweetness and a creamy texture. It works well in pies, sweet breads and even ice creams.

Courgettes: Courgettes are very versatile and can easily be incorporated into desserts. They add moisture and tenderness without leaving a strong vegetable flavour.

Beans: Beans can replace part of the flour and add fibre and protein. Bean brownies are a suitable recipe where the beans provide a rich texture and increased nutritional value, without the strong taste of beans.

Does the taste of vegetables come through in desserts?

The question of whether the taste of vegetables is perceptible in a dessert depends on the type of vegetable and the way it is prepared:

Mild vegetables: Vegetables such as courgettes have a very mild flavour that is not detectable in sweet dishes. Their main role is to add moisture and tenderness without affecting the taste.

Stronger vegetables: Vegetables with a stronger flavour, such as beetroot, can leave a slight taste in desserts. However, it goes well with stronger flavours such as chocolate and often blends with other ingredients.

Moisture content: Moisture-rich vegetables such as carrots and sweet potatoes contribute moisture and do not express a strong flavour, which is particularly useful in baked products.

Recipe for zucchini chocolate brownies

If you want to try vegetable desserts, the recipe for chocolate brownies with courgettes is a great choice. This recipe is simple and allows you to incorporate healthy courgettes into delicious brownies.

Ingredients:

• 150 g courgettes
• 140 g wholemeal flour
• 50 ml of water
• 1 egg
• 50 g BAM dark chocolate without added sugar
• 30 g BAM table sweetener
• 30 g honey
• 30 g BAM coconut oil spray
• 15 g BAM cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoons baking powder

Preparation:

1. Preheat the oven to 180 °C and prepare a small baking tray (approx. 20x20 cm) lined with baking paper.

2. Finely grate the courgettes and place them on paper towels to partially drain.

3. In a large bowl, mix the grated courgettes, egg, liquid coconut oil and honey until well combined.

4. In another bowl, combine the wholemeal flour, cocoa, table sweetener and baking powder. Gradually add these ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring all the time until smooth. Add the water and stir until the desired consistency is reached.

5. Stir in the BAM dark chocolate evenly, without added sugar.

6. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking tin and spread evenly. Bake for about 25 minutes, until set and the edges pull away from the baking tray.

7. When the brownies are baked, leave them to cool completely in the baking tray before slicing them into pieces.

Including vegetables in desserts is a great way to improve the nutritional value and flavours of your favourite dishes. Vegetables not only add an interesting texture and natural sweetness, but also boost nutrients, contributing to a more balanced diet. By trying recipes such as chocolate brownies with courgettes, you can discover how easy it is to incorporate healthy ingredients into sweet dishes and enjoy delicious results.