All About: Zucchini
How to Purchase
How to Store
How to Cook
Tips
A great aspect of zucchini is its versatility, especially considering how easy it is to grow. You can grill it, steam it, shred it, deep-fry it, put it in muffins, throw it on top of pizza—the list just goes on and on. Any way you slice it, we have some delicious and innovative recipes to help you plow through your zucchini harvest.
How to Purchase
Summer is hands down the best time to buy zucchini. Although the vegetable is available all year, its prime growth period is late summer, when its natural flavor is strongest. Zucchini tastes best when young, small, and heavy. Overgrown zucchini tends to lose its taste.
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How to Store
Kept dry in a plastic bag, zucchini should last at least one week in the refrigerator. To freeze the vegetable, wash and store in an airtight plastic bag; it will defrost at room temperature. Shredded zucchini can also be stored in the freezer—measure and label the amount on the bag to make last-minute cooking projects easier.
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How to Cook
Baking:
Zucchini is delicious oven roasted—either alone or with other vegetables. Simply drizzle slices zucchini with Crisco Vegetable Oil or cooking spray and roast in a 350º over until tender (length of time depends on size of slices) for a delicious dish. You can also substitute zucchini in your banana bread or pumpkin bread recipe.
Boiling:
Boil zucchini over medium heat in an uncovered pot filled halfway with water. It takes less than 10 minutes. Remember to wash and slice off the ends first.
Frying:
Make a crispy treat by frying unpeeled slices in hot Crisco Vegetable Oil. You can also fry baby zucchini flowers by dipping them in an egg and flour mixture and flipping them like pancakes.
Grilling:
If you end up with large zucchini, try grilling them. It's one of the only cooking styles that utilizes a full-grown zucchini. Slice one into coin-shaped pieces and grill for 6-10 minutes, remembering to drizzle the slices with Crisco Vegetable Oil. Grilled zucchini is great for snacks, sandwiches, or pizza toppings.
Steaming:
Toss steamed zucchini into a casserole or nibble on individual slices for a healthy, crispy snack. Zucchini can be steamed whole, sliced, or diced.
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Tips
- Wash the vegetable and trim off both ends first.
- Use a peeler to remove the skin. Slice it as you would a carrot.
- Oven-fry your vegetables by moistening zucchini cubes in Crisco Vegetable Oil and water, then baking 10 to 15 minutes in the oven.
- To prepare for baking, shred or grate the zucchini into razor-thin pieces.
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