It’s exploding! My garden that is… All of a sudden everything is ripening and I can’t pick fast enough. (Yay!) Some plants will do well one year but not as well other years. But zucchini is one of those prolific producers every year. This is good news since we all love any kind of squash in our family.
I planted just two summer squash plants this year, which will more than feed our family, with plenty to share with friends. I have a classic green variety as well as a yellow straight neck variety. Interestingly, squash is botanically identified as a fruit. It has seeds, and the squash grows on the flowering part of the plant. However, squash is referred to as a vegetable because of how it is used in cooking.
At only 62 calories per cup, zucchini is high in fiber, aiding in digestion plus it is low in sodium and fat, aiding in weight control. Packed with vitamins such as vitamins C, K and B6, and the minerals, potassium and magnesium, zucchini helps boost immunity, repair cells (slowing down the aging process) and even reduces the risk of cancer.
This time of year, it’s easy to find lots of zucchini in grocery stores and farmers markets. Even though zucchini is available year-round, and we eat it all year long, I’m a big believer of consuming what’s freshest and in season for the best taste. There’re so many ways to cook and enjoy zucchini!
- Choose zucchini that is firm. If it has soft spots it is starting to rot. Smaller zucchini will have fewer seeds and be more tender. However, just because it is bigger, doesn’t mean it doesn’t have delicious culinary uses too.
- Store unwashed zucchini in a plastic bag in crisper of the refrigerator until ready to use. They can last up to two weeks. Freeze zucchini by blanching first. Check out this how-to-blanch-zucchini video for directions.
Favorite Zucchini Cooking Methods
- Raw: Smaller zucchini, (around six inches or less) are great served raw. Cut them long ways into spears, lightly sprinkle with a spice blend, serve with other raw veggies and a dish of hummus as an hors d’oeuvre. Add slices, or use a wide vegetable slicer to make ribbons for salads.
- Steamed: Do not over cook! It only takes a couple of minutes to steam, and the fresher the zucchini the quicker it will cook, because it has lots of natural liquid.
- Sautéed: Add your favorite herbs…maybe try flavored oils, for a delicious and easy side dish.
- Baked and Roasted: One of my family’s favorite recipes is this Roasted Garlic-Parmesan Zucchini, Squash and Tomatoes. YUM! We love the ease of roasting because you can set up the pan and have it cooking while doing other things before dinner. For a crispier result, I slice and sprinkle my zucchini with salt to draw the liquid out. After about ten minutes, blot with paper towels and then roast.
- Stuffed: There were always a couple of zucchinis that grew super big. Slice long ways and scoop out the seeds to make a hollow area to stuff with your favorite mixture. My mom would often just use leftover spaghetti sauce and ground turkey for a hearty all in one dish.
- Noodles: Slice longways to make lasagna “zoodles” or use a spiralyzer to make spaghetti zoodles. These are delightful and healthy substitutions for carb-heavy pasta.
- Grilled: It’s so easy to slice rounds, cut into spears or to julienne the zucchini to cook on the grill. Remember to brush with oil, or your favorite marinade, so they won’t stick to the grates. For extra flavor, toss with Italian dressing in a ziplock bag before grilling.
- Grated: Add grated zucchini to soups, spaghetti sauce, fritters, muffins and tea breads. If your recipe call for it, remove excess moisture by putting the grated zucchini in cheesecloth and squeezing out the liquid.
I thought I knew all the best recipes but, wow, my search in the DinnerTime Recipe Box for zucchini recipes revealed a whole lot of recipes I haven’t tried but want to make. I’ll definitely be adding these to my meal plan soon!
Zinging Zucchini Recipes!
Search for more delightful recipes in your DinnerTime Recipe Box.
Use the filter function (found on right of your DinnerTime Recipe Box search) to find desserts, main dish, side dishes etc.
A fun and healthy appetizer.
Check out this tasty and filling vegetarian dish!
A yummy and pretty salad.