Whether it’s the nutrients you’re after or the delicious taste, there are hundreds of ways to enjoy zucchini.
Loved Around the World
The zucchini is one of the world’s favorite veggies. While technically a fruit, much like the tomato, it’s considered a vegetable in the culinary world. But not just any vegetable — the Italians transformed an American squash plant into a zucchini and it’s been a hit ever since.
Did Kids Invent This Vegetable?
Zucchini turns up everywhere kids like to eat. You can mix zucchini into every meal of the day — and every one a kids’ favorite.
Start the Morning Off Right
Shredded zucchini adds moisture and dietary fiber, with very little fat. It’s healthy eating — but all kids care about is the great, fresh and delicate taste. You can get your kids off to a good start with zucchini muffins or pancakes.
A Little Lift at Lunch
Chunks of zucchini are great with spaghetti and thinly sliced zucchini is delicious on pizza.
Fire Up The Grill For Dinner
Brush zucchini with a little olive oil for a fresh-tasting side dish. Or look at one of our zucchini dinner recipes.
Let The Kids Be Creative
Add semisweet chocolate chunks or chips to your favorite zucchini bread recipe. And who’s to say the best use of zucchini has been found yet? Zucchini cookies? Zucchini and raisin salad? With a bumper crop to play with, zucchini is an affordable way for kids to experiment in the kitchen.
Making Its Way To America
While zucchini has been around since the late 1800s, Americans weren’t introduced to it until the 1920s when Italian immigrants brought it to California. And we’ve loved it since, adding it to everything from pizza and pasta, to stir-fry. Some like it fried, some like it raw, either way there’s an endless amount of ways to love zucchini.
High In Vitamins, Low In Calories
We love zucchini for its fresh taste but did you know zucchini is loaded with amazing health benefits? Zucchini is a gift from the garden. It has very little fat or carbohydrates — plus, you get a big chunk of your daily recommended intake of vitamins A and C. Not only is zucchini a great part of a healthy diet, this wonderful little veggie is great for relieving stress thanks to the potassium it’s packing.
And it doesn’t end there, the amount of vitamins B2, B6 and B9 found in zucchini is also an excellent energy booster. Add in the big chunk of your daily intake of vitamins A and C found in zucchini and this veggie is sure to be one you’ll love to incorporate into your healthy diet.
A Kid’s Perfect First Crop
Zucchini is the perfect plant to start your garden with. They’re hardy and grow fast and don’t need much water. Growing zucchini is a great project for kids. The plants are hardy and they grow fast so the rewards are almost immediate.
Dig A Little Deeper
Once you’ve got your zucchini seeds, place them into the soil about 3 inches deep. Make sure to plant your zucchini in an area with lots of sunshine. They can’t get enough of it. And don’t worry about constantly watering them, they don’t really like too much.
Your zucchini is bound to be the buzz of the block. Bees are known to pollinate zucchini, so don’t be surprised to find them buzzing about your plants. Trust us, it’s a good sign.
Zucchini Love Sunny, Dry Days
Zucchini need plenty of sunlight and they don’t like too much water. In most areas the ordinary amount of rainfall is enough. If you live in a very dry area, you can water them sparingly.
An Abundance Of Free Food
We do have to warn you: zucchini can grow rampant and you might end up having more than you know what to do with. Zucchini is one of the most abundant plants you can grow. The simple solution is to pick the flowers that grow on zucchini plants. This will reduce your crop size and make your house look pretty. The flowers are also edible and prized by some, especially Mexican chefs. They’re known for being delicate and delicious. Serve the flowers as a garnish or simply take out the center parts and deep-fry for a tasty treat.
Harvest Early And Often
The best time to harvest your zucchini is when they’re less than six inches long while the flowers are still attached. Zucchini will grow as long as three feet if you let them. While that might look pretty awesome, by then they’re tougher and less tasty. Pick them while the flowers are still attached and they’re less than six inches long. Zucchini doesn’t last very long off the plant, so try to pick the ones you need the same day you plan to cook them.
Tips
Zucchini can be a tricky pick at the grocery store, but once you know the signs, you can spot the best of the bunch with no time wasted. And you’d be surprised just how easy it is to prepare these guys for almost any dish.
Pick
When picking out the perfect zucchini, make sure you don’t pick any that are bruised. The skin should be smooth and green, and the zucchini should be firm to the touch. Zucchini less than 6 inches long will be the tastiest and if you’re lucky, you’ll find one with the flower still attached.
Store
Unfortunately zucchini doesn’t stay fresh very long. Plan on only buying the amount of zucchini you need in the next day or so. If you don’t use it all up, a great alternative is to shred the zucchini and freeze it.
Prep
When getting ready to prepare zucchini, never peel it. Just simply wash and slice for serving. A trick to getting kids to eat more zucchini is to grate or shred the zucchini and add it to anything from pancakes to cupcakes. It’ll boost the nutrients and they’ll never be able to tell you’ve added it.
Cook
A great way to add zucchini to any dish is to grill it. It’s quick and easy and tastes great on pizzas and pastas. Simply cut zucchini in halves, brush with a little olive oil and lightly sprinkle with salt. Toss on the grill for a couple minutes and you’ll have a crisp addition to your next dish.
Zucchini Recipes
Think there can’t be any more to love about zucchini? You’re in for a real treat. Its mild flavor and versatility make it the perfect complement to a number of dishes you’d never expect. The great thing? Your kids will love it and never even know they’re eating veggies. Here are some of our favorite recipes featuring the delicious zucchini.
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Zucchini Lasagna Rollups
Packed with delicious flavors.
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Colorful Veggie Panini
Serve this classic Italian home-style grab-and-go treat.
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Zucchini Omelet
Something new for breakfast or brunch.
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Greek Chicken Gyros
Simple to assemble.
The A-B-Z’s of Zucchini – A Quiz
- 1. What language does the word “zucchini” come from?
- A) English
- B) French
- C) Italian
- D) Spanish
The Answer is C
It means "little squash" (squash is "zucca"). The British and French call them "courgettes."
- 2. Which of these is true about zucchini?
- A) It’s a fruit
- B) It’s a vegetable
- C) It makes delicious bread
- D) All of the above
The Answer is D
What's not to like?
- 3. Who are the Zucchini Brothers?
- A) A group of farmers
- B) A band that performs songs for kids
- C) Comic book superheroes
- D) Trapeze artists
The Answer is B
One of their most popular songs is, of course, “The Zucchini Song.”
- 4. What did Clotilde Dusoulier title her book about daily cooking in a Parisian kitchen?
- A) Chocolate and Zucchini
- B) Zucchini, Je T’Aime
- C) Zucchini, J’Accuse
- D) Zucchini, The Louvre and Me
The Answer is A
Though most of her recipes have only one or the other.
- 5. What should you do with zucchini flowers?
- A) Make a corsage
- B) Put them in a vase
- C) Fry them and serve them on a quesadilla
- D) Throw them away
The Answer is C
Don't forget to take out the center parts first.
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Find out more about this month’s featured veggie: celery.
Join the Garden Party
Host Jennie Garth shows your family how to prepare and eat balanced, healthy meals.
Did You Know?
60% of kids aged 7-12 surveyed say ranch dressing is a must for veggies.1
What’s For Dinner Tonight?
Love Your Veggies
Learn more about our Love Your Veggies school grants program and other great ways to help kids develop a lifelong love of veggies.
