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I love, love, love zucchini, especially when it’s in season, and there’s just so much of it (I’m like an adult in a zucchini store!)! So, naturally, I had to put together a collection of my favorite zucchini recipes to share with you guys. From baking sweet treats (did someone say zucchini bread?!) to using zucchini to make classic “pasta” dishes, zucchini is so versatile. Plus, it’s not only delicious but also a great way to lighten up those carb-heavy meals.
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A bounty of zucchini is one of the many reasons to look forward to summer because there are so many ways to enjoy them. And if you find yourself in a fortunate predicament with an overabundance of zucchini, you’ll be so happy to know that this favorite summer squash can do so much more than just zucchini bread and zoodles.
Why You Should Cook More Recipes with Zucchini
- Enjoy the seasonal bounty. If you are growing zucchini in your garden, that’s enough reason to make more healthy recipes with zucchini. Am I right? And if I’m being honest, you only need one plant to get plenty of this summer squash to last you all season long because one plant can produce up to 10 pounds of zucchini.
- Versatile in sweet and savory dishes. From replacing spaghetti to adding sweet texture to muffins, zucchini plays a big part in my kitchen once summer hits. I mean, is there any another vegetable out there that can serve as a vessel for hearty chicken stuffing and still shine in baked goods?
- Nutritional benefits. Zucchini is packed with vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, vitamin A, and potassium. And they are naturally low-carb, making this summer squash an easy choice if you’re following a low-carb or gluten-free diet.
- Bulks up recipes. I love sneaking in an extra serving (or two) of vegetables into recipes and zucchini makes it so easy to do that. It’s mild taste and spongy texture take on any flavor of your recipe, whether it’s vegetarian recipes with zucchini-like spaghetti sauce or hearty chicken lemon soup. Plus, it’s an easy way to replace half of your meat with zucchini. Easy on the budget with an extra dose of veggies. Win-win!
Tips for Making Recipes with Zucchini
- Use a thin layer of oil to help cook zucchini. Fat is your friend here. Adding some avocado oil or olive oil not only helps to prevent the zucchini from sticking but also speeds up browning and adds flavor.
- Add zucchini to sauces. Zucchini breaks down really well and is a great addition to pasta sauces. It adds texture and moisture and bulks up the sauce. Not to mention it squeezes in a serving a vegetable.
- Salt zucchini to remove excess moisture. Salt pulls moisture from the zucchini and speeds up this process. Sprinkle a generous amount of salt over the zucchini and let it sit for about 10-15 minutes. Then blot with paper towels or drain. Just keep in mind the salt added in this step will leave residual salt so adjust your seasonings in the recipe.
- Drain excess moisture from zucchini when baking with it. No one likes soppy zucchini bread. Drain shredded zucchini and squeeze out all that moisture before adding it to the batter. This is especially important with cookie batter, where the ratio between dry and wet ingredients must be precise.
- Add zucchini to the batter at the end. And avoid over-mixing. Just a gentle fold of the ingredients until combined is enough.
Best Tools for Making Recipes with Zucchini
- Spiralizer – If you’re going for that classic spaghetti cut of zucchini, a spiralizer is your best bet. It creates long, even strands that resemble traditional pasta. In other words, if you want zoodles, you need a spiralizer in your kitchen.
- Standard Y Peeler – This will create thin ribbon-like strands of zucchini, similar to fettuccini or pappardelle.
- Julienne Peeler – I like using a julienne peeler if I have a small amount of zucchini to process. It creates perfectly julienned strips of zucchini, much like angel hair, making them tender and delicate in any dish.
- Mandoline – This tool slices zucchini into very thin, uniform planks (but be careful – it’s so sharp so make sure you use a glove to protect your fingers!). This is excellent for lasagna or ravioli recipes where you really need those thin but wide strips of zucchini.
- Box Grater – This is a workhorse in my kitchen and I use it almost daily. I love this box-grater because it’s sturdy, with non-slip bottom, and has different shredding size options.
Best Recipes with Zucchini
If you, like me, love to cook with seasons, then you’re more than eager to dive into your CSA box, farmer’s market haul, or even a good ol’ grocery store zucchini. Let this collection of all your favorite easy recipes with zucchini help you bring this veggie to life. You’ll love the refreshing soup recipes with zucchini but if you prefer to save the soups for winter, check out unique stuffed zucchini recipes and vegetarian recipes with zucchini to feed your family well this summer. Get ready to let this humble summer squash shine with zoodles of flavor!
Simple Zucchini Basics
Before we can enjoy zucchini in all its glory, we have to know the basics. And even though it’s fairly simple to prepare this summer squash, sometimes it helps to have dedicated tutorials so all your healthy recipes with zucchini go without a hitch. Here are some helpful zucchini basics to get you started on the right track.
How to Cut Zucchini
How to Grill Zucchini
How to Make Zucchini Noodles
Grilled Vegetables
Small Bites with Zucchini
The versatility of zucchini makes this summer vegetable all the more appealing. It can go from spaghetti to fries and still retain that crispy texture and delicious flavor. These easy recipes with zucchini are excellent for small bites, appetizers, or afternoon snacks by the pool. They are such a fun and healthier alternative to heavier regular versions (step aside potato chips!). Pair these with labneh dip or marinara and dig in!
Baked Zucchini Fries
Zucchini Tots
Zucchini Fritters
Pinwheel Sandwiches – 4 ways
Air Fryer Zucchini Chips
Stuffed Zucchini Recipes
If you’re looking for fun dinner recipes with zucchini, why not try stuffing them with various delicious fillings? Whether you’re going for vegetarian recipes with zucchini or including healthy meats like chicken and beef, one thing is certain – stuffed zucchini recipes make an easy, fun, delicious, and wholesome meal the whole family can enjoy!
Quinoa Stuffed Zucchini Boats
Stuffed Zucchini Boats
Kousa (Stuffed Squash)
Healthy Recipes with Zucchini
Zucchini is an excellent low-carb substitute for potatoes, rice, spaghetti, and more. It lightens up recipes while keeping everything super delicious and it’s perfect for a satisfying main. Not only are zucchini versatile and hearty, but they soak up so much flavor and add a twist in texture that is sooo good! These are some of my favorite healthy recipes with zucchini that will please even the hungriest (and pickiest) of bellies.
Zucchini Casserole
Salmon Kabobs
Cilantro Chicken and Veggie Skewers
Crustless Quiche
Ratatouille Recipe
Recipes with Zucchini Noodles
Zoodles aren’t just fun to say but entertaining to make and eat! Zucchini noodles are an incredibly fresh and healthy alternative to pasta. They lighten up a pasta recipe while still being super satisfying, and like other dinner recipes with zucchini, this summer squash absorbs all that delicious pasta sauce. So grab your spiralizer (or a vegetable peeler will do just as well!) and twirl your way to a delicious meal using these recipes with zucchini noodles.
Pesto Zoodles
Healthy Shrimp Scampi with Zucchini Noodles
Shrimp Pesto Pasta
Zucchini Salad
Soup Recipes with Zucchini
If you’re like me and make soups all year long, you know zucchini is your friend. It’s light and refreshing yet satisfyingly delicious. It adds the perfect texture to your soup without weighing it down and it makes vegetarian recipes with zucchini an absolute breeze! If you’re team soup-year-round, these soup recipes with zucchini will be on repeat all season long!
Lemon Rice Soup
Vegetarian Minestrone Soup
Zucchini Orzo Soup
Chicken Vegetable Soup
Dinner Recipes with Zucchini
When I’m looking for healthy recipes with zucchini, they have to be wholesome, delicious, and a meal my whole family will enjoy. These dinner recipes with zucchini check off all those boxes. Whether you’re looking for vegetarian recipes with zucchini or those that are packed with lean protein, these recipes will steal the show at your next dinner party.
Zucchini Enchiladas
Zucchini Lasagna
Zucchini Ravioli
One Pot Turkey Pasta
Baking Recipes with Zucchini
Zucchini isn’t just for savory recipes. There is so much more you can do with this summer squash besides stuffed zucchini recipes and spiralizing them into zoodles. These delicious and easy recipes with zucchini are a nice way to end your dinner with a sweet treat. Many of these baked goods pack in a cup or more of vegetables and makes a perfect addition to your repertoire of baking recipes with zucchini this summer. And the best part is that many of these freeze well so they make excellent frozen zucchini recipes you can make now and enjoy for weeks and months to come!
Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread
Zucchini Brownies
Zucchini Bread
Zucchini Bread Muffins
Lemon Zucchini Bread
Healthy Muffins for Kids
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common variety of zucchini that you will find in grocery stores, farmer’s markets, and your backyard garden is the classic green zucchini. Some other varieties include yellow squash, pattypan, eight ball squash, and the Mexican grey zucchini. Unless you’re making recipes with zucchini noodles, where you need long squash, most of these summer squashes are interchangeable and all cook the same as zucchini so have fun experimenting with what you have available to you!
Look for zucchini that are firm to the touch with smooth, blemish-free skin. Avoid those with soft spots, wrinkles, or cuts. Skip the super large zucchini. Bigger is not always better because large zucchini often means they are overripe and usually have a more bland flavor and slightly woody texture. And while we’re on the topic, handle zucchinis with care. They tend to bruise easily, and their skin is very delicate, so treat them well so they will be firm enough to turn into zoodles or stuffed zucchini recipes.
Yes, but with a few caveats. You don’t want to freeze whole zucchini because it has a high water content, which means it will become mushy when thawed. The best way is to shred zucchini first, squeeze as much moisture as you can, and flash freeze it on a sheet pan. When firm, transfer to a freezer-safe container for all your future frozen zucchini recipes.
When life (or your neighbor) gives you zucchini, you’ll know what to do with them! Turn them into scrumptious dishes that will make you the envy of the neighborhood. Whether you’re whipping up baking recipes with zucchini or turning them into mouthwatering recipes with zucchini noodles, you’ll be the talk of the town all summer long.
For more similar roundup of recipes, be sure to check out: Best Grilling Recipes, Dinner Ideas for Summer, Best Lemon Recipes, and Refreshing Summer Salad Recipes.
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