Zucchini is a flexible fruit (yes, fruit!) that is generally available year-round in conventional supermarkets and consumed in a variety of ways and shapes both raw and cooked. Zucchini is a low-carb substitute for pasta, a nutrient-boost for salads, and an underrated side dish worthy of starring as your main meal. It also serves as a solid base for baked goods, from zucchini bread to zucchini brownies. 


Easy Baked Zucchini Recipe: How to Cook the Best Zucchini

Zucchini–also known as a courgette or marrow–is a summer squash with a smooth green or yellow skin. Typically, it is harvested early on–a medium cucumber is about 8 inches long–though the world’s largest zucchini measured over 8 feet. Because it develops from a flower and contains seeds, zucchinis–like pumpkins, tomatoes, and eggplants–are actually fruits that are considered akin to vegetables in the kitchen. 

Fresh zucchini appears firm, but even a dull knife can cut through the thin skin to pierce the buttery flesh. The gourd grown for its edible fruit looks similar to a cucumber, which has been known to give shoppers pause when examining their similar cylinder shapes, but zucchini is less juicy and more substantial for building a dish. It’s nutritional benefits boast as much potassium as a banana, along with calcium, magnesium, fiber, and vitamins B6, A, E, and K. Keep an eye out for darker-skinned zucchini to maximize health benefits, and don’t pass on picking up the flowers (blossoms) for frying. 

Both yellow squash and green zucchini are often presented as savory dishes, but the versatile ingredient can also benefit breads, sweets, and desserts. For the most part, it can take on the flavors presented with it–ranging from brown sugar to a salty cheese. Depending on the recipe, sometimes it’s helpful to strain excess water out of the summer squash using a clean kitchen towel. 

An easy recipe for stovetop zucchini slices requires little prep time for a total cook time of less than 15 minutes. Place 1 tablespoon of oil in a skillet over medium-high heat then add the zucchini and season with salt and pepper. Use a wooden spoon to saute the zucchini until tender, about 5 minutes. 

The most impressive quality of the zucchini is its ability to incorporate it into a wide range of recipes. 

1. Roasted in the oven with herbs and garlic. [Try Chef Thomas Keller's oven-roasted zucchini recipe here.](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-roast-zucchini-in-the-oven-with-thomas-keller)
2. Baked into savory or sweet bread then smeared with butter
3. Sliced into matchsticks then battered for vegetable “fries” 
4. Spiralized into a linguine-like zucchini noodles for a pasta substitute
5. Shaved into ribbons for a striking salad or rolled into pinwheels 
6. Scooped and stuffed with beef, peppers, and onions 
7. Layered and stacked as a casserole or lasagne 
8. Charred and complemented with lemon and feta 
9. Combined with beaten eggs for a broiled omelet  
10. Topped on a tartine or serving as a low-carb base 
11. Grilled zucchini on a hibachi 
12. Tossed with fusilli, olive oil, and summer vegetables
13. Simmered in a slow cooker as a soup with Italian spices 

Zucchini is a flexible fruit (yes, fruit!) that is generally available year-round in conventional supermarkets and consumed in a variety of ways and shapes both raw and cooked. Zucchini is a low-carb substitute for pasta, a nutrient-boost for salads, and an underrated side dish worthy of starring as your main meal. It also serves as a solid base for baked goods, from zucchini bread to zucchini brownies. 


Zucchini–also known as a courgette or marrow–is a summer squash with a smooth green or yellow skin. Typically, it is harvested early on–a medium cucumber is about 8 inches long–though the world’s largest zucchini measured over 8 feet. Because it develops from a flower and contains seeds, zucchinis–like pumpkins, tomatoes, and eggplants–are actually fruits that are considered akin to vegetables in the kitchen.

What Is a Zucchini?

Fresh zucchini appears firm, but even a dull knife can cut through the thin skin to pierce the buttery flesh. The gourd grown for its edible fruit looks similar to a cucumber, which has been known to give shoppers pause when examining their similar cylinder shapes, but zucchini is less juicy and more substantial for building a dish. It’s nutritional benefits boast as much potassium as a banana, along with calcium, magnesium, fiber, and vitamins B6, A, E, and K. Keep an eye out for darker-skinned zucchini to maximize health benefits, and don’t pass on picking up the flowers (blossoms) for frying.

What Are the Characteristics of Zucchini?

Both yellow squash and green zucchini are often presented as savory dishes, but the versatile ingredient can also benefit breads, sweets, and desserts. For the most part, it can take on the flavors presented with it–ranging from brown sugar to a salty cheese. Depending on the recipe, sometimes it’s helpful to strain excess water out of the summer squash using a clean kitchen towel.

How to Cook the Perfect Zucchini

An easy recipe for stovetop zucchini slices requires little prep time for a total cook time of less than 15 minutes. Place 1 tablespoon of oil in a skillet over medium-high heat then add the zucchini and season with salt and pepper. Use a wooden spoon to saute the zucchini until tender, about 5 minutes.

How to Sauté Zucchini: Sautéed Zucchini Recipe  

The most impressive quality of the zucchini is its ability to incorporate it into a wide range of recipes. <ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Roasted in the oven with herbs and garlic. <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-roast-zucchini-in-the-oven-with-thomas-keller' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-roast-zucchini-in-the-oven-with-thomas-keller","linkCopy":"Try Chef Thomas Keller\u0026#39;s oven-roasted zucchini recipe here.","category":null}'>Try Chef Thomas Keller&#39;s oven-roasted zucchini recipe here.</a> </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Baked into savory or sweet bread then smeared with butter </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Sliced into matchsticks then battered for vegetable “fries” </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. Spiralized into a linguine-like zucchini noodles for a pasta substitute </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 5. Shaved into ribbons for a striking salad or rolled into pinwheels </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 6. Scooped and stuffed with beef, peppers, and onions </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 7. Layered and stacked as a casserole or lasagne </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 8. Charred and complemented with lemon and feta </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 9. Combined with beaten eggs for a broiled omelet </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 10. Topped on a tartine or serving as a low-carb base </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 11. Grilled zucchini on a hibachi </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 12. Tossed with fusilli, olive oil, and summer vegetables </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 13. Simmered in a slow cooker as a soup with Italian spices </li></ol>

13 Ways to Cook Zucchini

Gluten-Free Baked Parmesan-Crusted Zucchini 

Zucchini is a flexible fruit (yes, fruit!) that is generally available year-round in conventional supermarkets and consumed in a variety of ways and shapes both raw and cooked. Zucchini is a low-carb substitute for pasta, a nutrient-boost for salads, and an underrated side dish worthy of starring as your main meal. It also serves as a solid base for baked goods, from zucchini bread to zucchini brownies.