Vegan twist: Zucchini elevates classic cinnamon buns

Although cinnamon buns are primarily associated with autumn, nothing is stopping you from starting your baking now, especially when you add a seasonal vegetable to the cinnamon filling.

Vegan cuisine doesn't have to be boring, as Julia Romaniuk effectively proves on her Instagram profile. The name of her account, biedanizm, reflects the idea of veganism she promotes—tasty and cheap. This time, she shared her secret for cinnamon buns. It might seem that everything has been said about these sweet rolls, but the influencer surprised everyone with an unusual filling: a seasonal vegetable.

Zucchinis have thrived this year, and the internet is flooded with pictures of bountiful harvests from home gardens. They can be used in many ways—in homemade ratatouille, casseroles, soups, salads, or preserved in jars. Zucchini is such a versatile vegetable that it can be used in many ways.

Julia Romaniuk also experienced an overabundance of zucchinis and decided to turn these vegetable gifts into cinnamon buns. The addition of zucchini made the inside of the buns moist and tender.

Ingredients:

        
• 1/4 oz dry yeast
• 5 tablespoons sugar
• 1 cup warm water
• 3-4 cups all-purpose flour
• 5-7 tablespoons oil

      
• 1 zucchini
• 2 tablespoons cinnamon
• 1 oz plant-based butter
• 4 tablespoons sugar

Preparation method:

1. In a bowl, mix the yeast, sugar, and warm water. Set aside for a few minutes until it starts to foam.
2. Add the flour and oil to the yeast mixture. Knead the dough for about 10 minutes until it is elastic and doesn't stick to your hands. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour.
3. Transfer the dough to a bowl, cover it with a cloth, and set it in a warm place for about an hour until it doubles.
4. Grate the zucchini and squeeze out the excess water.
5. Melt the butter in a pan and add it to the zucchini.
6. Add the sugar and cinnamon and mix thoroughly.
7. Transfer the risen dough to a floured surface and roll it into a rectangle. Spread the zucchini filling on the dough, leaving about 2 inches of free space on the longer side.
8. Roll the dough into a log, cut it into pieces, and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
9. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Bake the cinnamon buns for about 20-30 minutes.

You can decorate the finished buns with homemade icing. Enjoy!