It contains more potassium than our favorite yellow banana, bigger is not better when it comes to this squash, and the darker the skin of the zucchini means the more nutrient dense it is.And while the Spruce Eats notes that this summer squash's season begins in May and wraps up around August, it is readily available year round. .
How to Clean Zucchini
Zucchini forms and grows above ground so it isn't as dirty as some other summer produce, but it still requires careful cleaning so grit and soil don't ruin your favorite recipe. .
Harvesting and Cleaning Zucchini Seeds – Hudson Valley Seed
To successfully save seeds from zucchini, you have to let the fruits get mega.Zucchini fall under the wet seed processing category.You can cut the squash into sections, slice it down the side, or mash it with a sto mper.The fermentation process for zucchini seeds is quick, especially if it is warm.The seed/flesh/water mixture should smell sour, and the seeds should appear very clean when handled.Once the fermentation process is complete, you need to get the seeds out of the squash mixture.Dilute the ferment with plenty of water so that the heaviest squash seeds sink to the bottom.Pour off the very top of the diluted mixture, taking care not to loose any of the good, heavy seeds that are at the bottom.Once the seeds are completely dry, place in a paper envelope and label them. .
How to Store Zucchini So It Stays Fresh
), you can savor zucchini pasta, fritters, veggie meatballs, zoodles, pizza crust, burgers, and salads whenever your heart desires.Store them in a plastic or paper bag with one end open to encourage air circulation, and pop them in the refrigerator crisper drawer.When the water is boiling, toss the zucchini slices in for 1 to 2 minutes, just until brightly colored and a bit tender.When the zucchini slices are cool, drain them in a colander and pack them in freezer bags in 1- or 2-cup batches. .
How to Store Zucchini
Look for zucchini that is firm, with smooth, shiny vibrant green skin—wrinkles, not surprisingly, are a sign of age.To go a step further, you can pat zucchini down with a paper towel to absorb every bit of moisture before storing.The best way to store zucchini is in the refrigerator, preferably in the crisper drawer where humidity is kept to a minimum.You can store zucchini in either a plastic or paper bag but make sure one end is open so air can circulate.Pat the zucchini dry, then pack it into freezer bags, squeezing out as much air as possible, and freeze for up to 3 months.While some spiralized vegetables can be frozen, zucchini noodles tend to turn mushy, so it's better to use them right away.The easiest way to defrost frozen zucchini is in the refrigerator and it will only take a few hours, but if you are in a hurry, place the sealed bag in a bowl of cold water to speed up the thawing process.Frozen zucchini won't be quite as crisp as fresh, so it's better for sauces, soups and casseroles. .
Easy Sautéed Zucchini Recipe
This super easy Sautéed Zucchini Recipe is great for cooking that gorgeous green vegetable quickly on the stove top.Sautéed Zucchini is great as a side dish to baked chicken, grilled steaks, or roasted pork.I have so many wonderful recipes that include zucchini because it’s a quick and easy vegetable to add into stir fries, casseroles, and even baked goods.Lately we’ve been using our garden zucchini as a quick side dish by sautéing it on the stove top with a little butter and olive oil.But in reality, aren’t we all always looking for those simple side dish recipes to quickly make with dinner?If your zucchini is on the smaller side, cut them into full moon shapes.By adding in the oil, this helps to prevent the butter from scorching and burning.Long Answer – To get the perfect skillet zucchini texture you’ll want to make sure your butter/oil mixture is nice and hot.When you want to jazz up the flavor a little more, here are some of my favorite seasonings that compliment zucchini nicely.– add just a 1/2 teaspoon of dried Oregano at the end for an herby flavor.– a little bit of lemon zest adds a bright punch of flavor and depth to this easy side dish.– try adding in some diced onion along with the zucchini for a more substantial vegetable side dish recipe.Parmesan Cheese – sprinkle a little on top when you’re finished cooking for a cheesy side dish!Since I’m always on a mission to make more veggie side dishes that my kids will eat, here are a few instant favorites that I know your family will love too!I hope you give this easy Sautéed Zucchini Recipe a try and enjoy it as much as we do!My family LOVES this easy vegetable side dish recipe!Cook, stirring occasionally, until the zucchini is lightly browned and tender. .
Zucchini Loves High Heat
Here’s my secret: Before I let the vegetable touch a hot pan or grill, I slice it and salt it to draw out some of the water.Then I cook it quickly over dry, high heat to caramelize the flesh before it has a chance to steam and get soggy.I start by quartering the zucchini lengthwise and cutting off the top of its seed core—that spongy part that immediately turns to mush when it encounters heat.Grilling or sautéing sears the vegetable and allows you to cook it quickly and avoid the dreaded mush.I generally grill and sauté zucchini unadorned and then toss the cooked vegetable with other garden-fresh ingredients and flavorful accents like fresh basil or thyme, olives or sun-dried tomatoes, and cheeses like Parmigiano Reggiano or ricotta salata.Cooked zucchini softens as it sits, which isn’t necessarily bad, but it detracts from the perfect texture you’ve worked to achieve. .
Can You Eat Zucchini Raw?
While it’s commonly served cooked, many people enjoy eating zucchini raw too, as it works great in salads, with dips, as a wrap, or even spiralized to make low-carb noodles.Diets high in fiber from fruits and vegetables may help control blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes ( 7 ).Diets high in fiber from fruits and vegetables may help control blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes ( ).Zucchini is a good source of soluble fiber, vitamin C, and potassium, all of which may reduce heart disease risk factors ( 8 , 9 , 10 ).Zucchini is a good source of soluble fiber, vitamin C, and potassium, all of which may reduce heart disease risk factors ( , , ).This bitterness comes from cucurbitacins, a class of compounds found in members of the Cucurbitaceae family, such as squash, zucchini, and gourds ( 13 , 14 ).However, these effects were mostly associated with eating members of the Cucurbitaceae family that contain high amounts of cucurbitacins, such as certain gourds — not commercially grown varieties ( 16 ).That said, if you bite into zucchini and it tastes extremely unpleasant and bitter, it’s best to spit it out and dispose of the entire fruit to avoid the risk of cucurbitacin toxicity.This is caused by nutrients like cellulose, a structural component of plant cell walls, and soluble fiber, which is fermented by your healthy gut bacteria and produces gas as a side effect ( 4 ).To minimize the risk of food poisoning, be sure to wash the fruit thoroughly with cold water while scrubbing the skin with a soft brush.Summary Raw zucchini is generally safe to eat, but in some cases, it may be extremely bitter.That said, the majority of produce purchased from supermarkets or farms is safe and healthy to eat raw or cooked. .
