Zucchini is one of the easiest vegetables to cook with! Get recipes, tips, cooking ideas, and prep and storage directions all in one place!!
How to Prepare Zucchini
Zucchini is such a great, versatile veggie and it’s really easy to prepare for cooking! When you purchase zucchini from the store or pick it fresh from your garden, it will feel a little bit fuzzy. This is normal!
When you wash the zucchini, rub firmly under water until it feels smooth. This will remove the fuzziness on the skin and it will be nice and smooth for cooking.
Unless it matters for the look of your dish, there is no need to peel zucchini. You can leave the skin on and it won’t be too tough. I like to use small to medium sized zucchini in recipes because the skin is softer and there are fewer seeds.
If you are bothered by the seeds or if there are a lot of seeds in the zucchini you are using, slice the zucchini in half lengthwise and scrape them out with a spoon. Removing the seeds also gets rid of a lot of the moisture in the zucchini, which is needed for some recipes.
How to Cook Zucchini
There are so many great ways to cook zucchini! My favorite way is on the stovetop. It’s easy and quick and keeps the great flavor and texture of the zucchini intact.
In general, there are a few rules of thumb to keep in mind when cooking zucchini. First, remember that zucchini cooks quickly. If you are roasting it or adding it to a recipe, add it near the end and keep the cooking time short. If it’s cooked too long it will be mushy.
Second, there is a lot of water in the zucchini. This can impact texture on baked goods and even fried foods if you’re substituting it in a recipe.
Third, don’t forget to shred and spiralize the zucchini! I include zucchini in so many recipes simply by shredding it. The zucchini stores in the freezer really well and I love adding it to pasta dishes, dessert breads, breakfast burritos, the options are endless.
Another great way to use zucchini is to make zucchini boats! Suff it with pasta, meat, eggs, or even your favorite taco ingredients for a lighter version of your comfort food favorites.
The Best Easy Zucchini Recipes
- Sausage and Zucchini Pasta
- The Best Zucchini Muffins
- The Best Steak Fajita Recipe
- How to Cook Zucchini on the Stovetop
- Fried Parmesan Zucchini
- Breakfast Egg Cups
- Garlic Pepper Steak Kabobs
- Easy Fried Rice
- Sausage Sheet Pan Dinner
- Leftover Steak Tacos
[…] Easy Zucchini Recipes […]