Zucchini is a popular summer vegetable. The word is derived from Zucchina, the Italian name for the vegetable. Courgette is the other English name for this summer squash.
It is known as jugni in India. The vegetable looks a lot like cucumber but cooked with its skin on. It comes in two variants – green and yellow.
Green is most common in Indian cooking. This vegetable is super rich in nutrients and hence, a very healthy suggestion for your nutritious-rich diet.
It is interesting to note that zucchini was not very popular in India even a decade ago. But a steady tilt in favour of healthy eating is contributing to its spiking popularity among Indians.
Zucchini is more popular as a salad ingredient. But this salad veggie is used in a variety of tempting dishes from fries to curries and many more.
Zucchini is now easily available at many vegetable shops. If you are eating zucchini for the first time, you will admit that this exotic veggie is worth your pennies.
Let us first start with simple, tummy-filling, tasty salad prepared with zucchini, moong dal sprouts and bell peppers (red, yellow and green).
Chop all these and toss them together in a bowl. Sprinkle some salt and black pepper and you are done. Any day, any time, it will satisfy your craving.
Moreover, without your being aware of the nutritional profile, you are taking in some of the most necessary and healthy ingredients.
Breakfasts
We will now proceed to kids’ all-time favourite sandwich. Zucchini and bell peppers can give a twist of taste to even the most common sandwiches. Serve it with tomato or any sweet-tangy sauce. “We want more”, your kids will scream!
Zucchini thepla tells you how the Indians love experimenting with the exotic items and making them their very own.
It is a kind of “basubaidho kutumbokom” extended to the edible ingredients, both veggies and non-vegetables.
Zucchini is incorporated into traditional thepla to boost up taste and make it more appealing to kids and adults alike.
Zucchini can be used as a spread on breads as well. Mix zucchini strips with garlic, walnuts and parsley and olive oil drizzles and spread it over the bed of toasted bread. Zucchini toast offers a unique, subtle taste and a healthy choice as well.
Zucchini paratha is just like any Indian flatbread with a unique addition of grated zucchini.
Be a little more innovative and use sauce coated zucchini-potato stuffing in a paratha and make a roll of it.
If you are ready to take a break from the simplest salads and sandwiches, let’s talk about zucchini stir fries. Sauté zucchini in butter and flavour it up with chilli flakes and garlic.
The days when you don’t feel like cooking or are super busy with kids or professional responsibilities, savoury zucchini fries in lunch will keep you fuller for a long time.
Looking for something elegant? Try baked cheesy zucchini fries. It is super easy to make and hence, try-worthy.
Melt-in-mouth cheese engaged in a flavourful play with zucchini will be a tease hard to resist for the foodie in you.
Obsession for “just baked” fries and fritters? Well, try cheesy baked zucchini slices. Crunchy, creamy zucchini is worth being a part of your next party treat.
Let us now talk about a party starter prepared with zucchini. Zucchini fritters mayo dip is a mouth-watering snack delicacy.
Zucchini strips are coated with spicy batter and deep fried. As if these are not enough for a lovely treat; mayo dip served with fritters take the mercury of temptation to another height.
Curries
Zucchini sabji is prepared in a different way. It is a spicy treat. Talk about taste or nutrition, the easy-to-prepare dish is a pack of flavourful punch. Full with Indian flavours, this dish could be a great starter for your menu plan any day.
With coconut, you can hardly go wrong. Zucchini strips mixed with shredded coconut and cooked in gravy prepared with tomato and coconut milk will leave you with “dil mange more” cries.
Mixed vegetable zucchini curry unpacks the assortment of nutritional elements in a flavoursome way. Use vegetables of your liking. Whatever you add, each of them will come with their own nutritional benefits.
Deserts
The bigger surprise with zucchini is yet to come! Zucchini muffins with flax seeds sprinkles are a vibrant delight for your eyes. It does not frustrate your taste buds and tummy either. Worth a try!
How Do You Eat Zucchini?
There are several ways to eat zucchini. You can eat the vegetables raw or cooked.
Moreover, there is a variety of cooked dishes with zucchini. Take your pick as per what you like.
How Long Does Zucchini Take to Cook?
Zucchini does not try your patience. It gets ready within 150-20 minutes.
How Does Zucchini Taste?
Zucchini offers a mild flavour and rich feel. It tastes something between slightly bitter and slightly sweet.
Sweetness in zucchini is more overpowering after it is cooked. It feels soft and when cooked, becomes softer.
