Summers Most Versatile Vegetable

This vegetable may remind you of a cucumber but it is actually a member of the squash family. Zucchini can be found green in color like a cucumber but there are also yellow varieties as well. Zucchini can be stir fried, steamed, baked or even eaten raw and are a great compliment to other vegetables as well.

Pick your zucchini wisely. A good zucchini is heavy. It may not always be long like a cucumber and it should be heavier than a cucumber. Depending on the farmer, you may find some that are smaller. Hold them in your hand and compare with others before choosing the ones you will buy.

Zucchini is a popular vegetable in the summer. The taste is light and it is cholesterol and fat free and low in sodium. All you need to cook them is a bit of olive oil in a wok or large skillet and some salt and pepper to taste. Try julienne or matchstick cut zucchini or slice it into nice round pieces. It is great as a starting veggie for kids because it doesn’t have an overpowering taste.

Zucchini does well in the refrigerator at a modest temperature. Don’t wait too long to use it or it will become mushy to the touch. It may look good through the clear veggie tray but when the back side is covered in white fuzz it’s time to get rid of it. Zucchini is not a vegetable that stands up to freezing very well. If you must freeze it, blanch it first.

You can pickle zucchini along with other veggies like peppers, onions, and tomatoes. The mix of flavors will enhance any meal you prepare during the fall and winter months. Zucchini can be added to soup stock and frozen for a later time.

Zucchini is even good as a specialty bread ingredient. Zucchini bread is very good and very moist. You can’t even taste the zucchini. The taste is sweet and similar to banana bread without the walnuts. Bake a few loaves and freeze them.

It’s hard to keep zucchini around. It is a versatile vegetable that works well in so many types of dishes. It is also one of the healthier vegetables. Remember that zucchini has a high amount of water content so be careful when cooking it. It won’t take long and if it sets in water over heat for very long it becomes shriveled and loses its great taste.