Crops & Varieties: Zucchini
Quick tips
Don’t peel zucchini - the tender, thin skin is packed with nutrients and isn’t tough the way most winter squash skin is. Zucchini is best when it's quickly cooked—it gets mushy and loses its delicate taste when overcooked.
Try it on the grill: trim the ends, cut zucchini in half lengthwise and grill them face-down.
Slice into medallions and quick-saute with a pinch of salt and pepper for a great side dish. Try it as a base for a frittata.
Don’t peel zucchini - the tender, thin skin is packed with nutrients and isn’t tough the way most winter squash skin is. Zucchini is best when it's quickly cooked—it gets mushy and loses its delicate taste when overcooked.
Try it on the grill: trim the ends, cut zucchini in half lengthwise and grill them face-down.
Slice into medallions and quick-saute with a pinch of salt and pepper for a great side dish. Try it as a base for a frittata.
Salt zucchini and let its excess moisture drain; this concentrates its mild flavor, making for delicious slices to be added to pizza, salads or pasta dishes.
If you have a pasta mill, press whole zucchini through the mill to make zucchini “pasta.” You can also do a version of this by using a peeler to slice of thin slivers of zucchini. Great with pesto.
If you have a pasta mill, press whole zucchini through the mill to make zucchini “pasta.” You can also do a version of this by using a peeler to slice of thin slivers of zucchini. Great with pesto.
When using in sweet recipes (breads, cakes, muffins, etc.), milder, larger quash works best. Younger, smaller squash has a more vegetal, green taste.
Storage
Zucchini aren’t meant for long-term storage. Keep in perforated or produce bag in your refrigerator’s produce drawer for up to a week.
To freeze, puree whole zucchini and store in airtight container.
Recipes
Cooking Light: Grilled Zucchini-and-Summer Squash Salad
Storage
Zucchini aren’t meant for long-term storage. Keep in perforated or produce bag in your refrigerator’s produce drawer for up to a week.
To freeze, puree whole zucchini and store in airtight container.
Recipes
Cooking Light: Grilled Zucchini-and-Summer Squash Salad
Cooking Light: Layered Zucchini
Cooking Light: Stuffed Zucchini with Potatoes and Peas
Cooking Light: Zucchini Oven Chips
Babble.com: Weeknight Zucchini with Shallots & Parmesean
A Sweet Pea Chef: How to Make Zucchini Noodles
From our Tumblr: Pasta with Sauteed Summer Squash and Garlic Scapes
Preparation types and times
| Blanching: | 1-2 mins |
| Grilling: | 3-5 mins per side or 7-10 mins total |
| Roasting: | 10-15 at 375-450° |
| Sauteing: | 6-8 mins |
| Steaming: | 4-8 mins |
| Stir Frying: | 4-5 mins |
