Caribbean Pork and Zucchini
Caribbean Pork and Zucchini
This weight loss surgery friendly can be made in the Instant Pot or in the oven!
A nice blend of spices on this pork tenderloin pairs perfectly with the zucchini squash. You wouldn’t think ground cinnamon would go in a pork tenderloin recipes, but it’s super delicious!
Whether you use an Instant Pot or you use the oven, both of these recipes are very quick to get together.
I love the sheet pan method of making the pork and zucchini. Using just one pan to make both your protein entree and your veggie side dish! I’ve done this with fish and chicken as well. I will share a few other sheet pan dinners below.
I have made this recipe in my Instant Pot when my pork tenderloin was frozen and it still came out well. I do think the fresh pork is still a noticeable difference compared to cooking meat from frozen but when you are in a bind and need to make dinner but the meat is frozen, it’s a wonderful option to use the Instant Pot to make dinner that doesn’t require thawing out the meat.
Read more about why I didn’t want an Instant Pot and what made me get one anyway 🙂
One Pan Chicken and Veggies
Caribbean Pork and Zucchini
Ingredients
- 2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 lb lean pork tenderloin
- 1 large zucchini squash, cut into 1/2 circles
Instructions
Oven Baked
- Preheat oven to 350F. Stir together all the spices and rub on the pork tenderloin. Toss zucchini pieces with 1 tsp olive oil and 1/2 tsp each salt and pepper. Place pork and zucchini on a sheet pan lined in foil.
- Bake the pork in the oven for 20 minutes or until the internal temperature reads 140 F.
- Remove the pork from the oven and slice once cool enough to handle. Serve with zucchini.
Pressure Cooker/Instant Pot
- Cut pork in half. *If pork is frozen, put cooker on saute mode. When ready, add 2 tsp oil and brown on each side. Remove from the cooker and add seasonings. **If pork is not frozen, cover with seasonings and then put cooker on saute mode. When ready, add 2 tsp oil and brown on each side.
- Remove pork. Without scraping bottom of the pan, add zucchini and saute 3-4 minutes or until cooked to desired texture preference. Remove and cover to keep warm.
- Return pork to cooker. If frozen, select the 'meat' function for 15 minutes. If fresh, select 'meat' function for 6 minutes. *Can skip the saute step and cook high pressure for 8 minutes instead.
- When cook time is finished, leave cooker to naturally release steam about 8 minutes. Move the steaming valve to open, keep face away from valve. When the lid turns easily, open slowly. Remove pork. Slice and serve with zucchini.