Cauliflower currently has the reputation of being the vegetable with the most versatility. (Cauliflower pizza, cauliflower gnocchi, cauliflower rice, anyone?) But zucchini gives it a run for its money in changeability – take these Cheesy Zucchini Breadsticks, for instance. They use the summer squash to form a base that might not fool you completely into thinking it’s bread, but it certainly makes a worthy substitute. With these, you get cheesy garlicky indulgent breadsticks without the bread, and without the carbs!

So how do you take a watery summer squash and transform it into something resembling bread? It’s a three-step process, but it’s not complicated in the slightest. You’re first going to grate the zucchini and place it in a colander for ten minutes or so. That gives the liquid a chance to drain out but a final squeeze in a paper towel or kitchen towel really makes sure things won’t end up soggy.

Then you mix the zucchini with a bit of cheese and an egg and spread it out thinly on a parchment-lined baking sheet before you put it in the oven. That dries things out nicely and ensures you have a sturdy base before you put any toppings on. In this case, your only topping is plenty of cheese and once you’ve sprinkled it over the zucchini crust all you have to do is return it to the oven long enough for the cheese to melt.

Then you have a sturdy sliceable, shareable “breadstick” that tastes totally indulgent even if you’re managing to get your veggies in while you partake!