How Do I Cook Zucchini?

Zucchini is a very versatile gourd, and it can be prepared a wide variety of ways. Breaded zucchini is popular, for example, as is stir-fried zucchini. Some people also bake or grill zucchini. In addition, you can also cook zucchini into bread or muffins.

Breaded zucchini is one tasty and flavorful way to cook zucchini. The gourd is usually sliced for this dish, but you can also cut it into thick strips. These pieces can then be dipped into beaten eggs, then seasoned bread crumbs or flour. To cook zucchini this way, you can either deep fry it, or fry it in a pan with a little oil. It will usually need to be set on paper towels afterward, to absorb most of the excess oil.

Stir-frying is another popular way to cook zucchini. For this dish, the zucchini should be sliced or chopped into small, bite-sized pieces. A hot wok or pan with a little oil is needed to stir-fry zucchini. The zucchini pieces should be added to the pan and cooked just until they are browned on all sides. It can then either be eaten plain or added to another stir-fry dish, like shrimp stir-fry.

Zucchini also makes a great addition to some soups. Along with other vegetables, like peppers and onions, cooked zucchini can also make a great addition to omelets. Baking zucchini, either plain or seasoned, is typically a healthy way to cook zucchini. Usually just a few minutes in the oven is sufficient to bake this vegetable. Spreading butter or Parmesan cheese on zucchini slices prior to baking them is one popular way to cook zucchini.

Extra large zucchini — gourds more than 8 or 10 inches (20.3 to 25.4 centimeters) long — do not typically work well in traditional zucchini recipes. The seeds in these vegetables are typically very tough. The skins and flesh may also be tough.

Stuffed zucchini is one way to cook very large zucchini. Typically, the gourd is first cut in half lengthwise. The seeds are scraped out, and stuffing is used to fill the cavity. A mixture of cheese, meat, breading, and eggs can be used to create stuffing for stuffed zucchini.

Many people bake zucchini into dishes like breads, muffins, and cakes. Making zucchini bread is a popular way to cook very large or excess zucchinis. The skin and seeds are removed, and the zucchini is usually shredded. Spices, like cinnamon, are also usually added to the batter as well.