Your favorite team may not be playing in the biggest football game of the year this time around, but chances are you’ll be glued to the TV on February 7 anyway.  The Big Game clearly attracts more than just diehard football fans. Last year, more than 114 million American households tuned in to watch the event!

You’ll need your strength to watch America’s two best teams duke it out on the gridiron, but game day doesn’t have to be a nutritional blowout. Rely on these simple, better-for-you recipes that feature Hood Sour Cream, everyone’s favorite. 

Start with our latest sour cream creation:  

Chive Sour Cream Dip with Crispy Parmesan Zucchini Sticks

Makes 8 servings

Preparation Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Ingredients

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

1/2 tsp. dried thyme

1/2 tsp. dried basil

1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

1 1/4 cups panko (Japanese bread crumbs) 

1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese

2 large eggs

2 medium zucchini

1 cup Hood Sour Cream 

2 Tbsp. fat-free plain Greek yogurt  

3 Tbsp. chopped fresh chives plus more for garnish, if desired

1/4 tsp. ground black pepper

2 tsp. fresh lemon juice

Directions

Preheat oven to 400˚F. 

In a shallow medium bowl, combine salt, garlic powder, thyme, basil, black pepper, and cheese. Mix well.   

In a separate shallow medium bowl, whisk the eggs. 

Cut each zucchini in half crosswise, then cut each half lengthwise into eight wedges. 

Using tongs, dip zucchini into the egg, then into the bread crumb/cheese mixture. Coat all sides of each piece.  

Place zucchini in a single layer on a wire cooling rack coated with cooking spray. Lightly coat the tops of the zucchini sticks with cooking spray. 

Bake for 25 minutes. 

While zucchini is baking, make the dip. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the sour cream, yogurt, chives, black pepper, and lemon juice. Transfer to a serving bowl. Cover and refrigerate. 

Serve zucchini sticks warm with the chive sour cream dip.   

Here are some other crowd-pleasers that you can easily prepare ahead of time: 

Sour Cream Guacamole

Avocados are creamy and delicious, and they count as a vegetable, so enjoy this dip guilt-free! You’re getting great taste along with nearly 20 essential nutrients, including potassium to help regulate your blood pressure during the game! 

Champion Chili

The winning combination of meat, beans, and diced tomatoes means this chili supplies protein and vegetables in one bowl, all without loading you down with extra calories.  

Loaded Baked Sweet Potato

You won't even know you're consuming nearly all of the vegetables you need for the day in this meal that’s fit for party-goers.  And, sweet potatoes are a source of vitamins A and C that help tackle germs that can cause colds and flu during the winter months.