The Best Healthy Zucchini Recipes

Enjoy this collection of the best zucchini recipes to help you use summer’s most prolific vegetable in new and different ways! From pesto to family-friendly dinners to sides to baked goods, zucchini can be more versatile than you ever imagined.

The Best Easy Zucchini Recipes

Zucchini is one of my favorite vegetables to cook and bake with, especially in the late summer when it is absolutely bursting out of gardens and farmers markets. I wasn’t always in love with the green squash, however! As a kid, I don’t think we ever ate zucchini, probably thanks to my Dad’s choosy eating. Little wonder, then, that I didn’t really know what to do with it as an adult, and didn’t really think of it as something tasty.

As I’ve learned, however, zucchini can be wonderful on its own and melds fantastically into all kinds of other dishes! I’ve also finally learned just how insanely abundant home-grown zucchini is in late August, which makes me even more grateful for the wide variety of ways to use it. To help you discover your new favorite zucchini recipe, I’m rounding up all my tried-and-true items here.

Whether you’re looking for a side dish that features zucchini front and center, or more interested in ways to sneak the veggie into other items, there’s something for everyone here!

How to Shop for Zucchini

Whether you’re buying zucchini at your grocery store or a local farm stand or market, there are a few things to look out for to help you pick the best plants:

• Size – Bigger isn’t better when it comes to zucchini! Large plants can be watery and less flavorful, with large seeds and a pulpy texture. Try to choose zucchini that are 8 inches or less in length, and 2 inches or less in diameter.
• Color – Opt for zucchini that are a vibrant, dark green. This is true for yellow squash, too – rich color tends to equal rich flavor.
• Scratches – Minor scratches or bruises on zucchini skin are common and completely harmless.
• Stem – Zucchini that has a good chunk of the stem still attached will tend to have a longer shelf life.

Zucchini Storage Tips

• Storage – You can store uncut zucchini at room temperature or inside of a paper bag in your refrigerator’s vegetable drawer. Do not store in a plastic bag – the trapped moisture will yield slimy skins in no time.
• Washing – Store zucchini unwashed for the longest shelf life. Be sure to give the skin a good rinse and rub before grating or slicing, however.
• Freezing – The best way to freeze extra zucchini is by chopping into rounds, then blanching the slices. They will keep this way in the freezer for up to 6 months. Freezing shredded raw zucchini tends to result in a soggy mass.

Best Zucchini Recipes

Without further ado, a collection of our favorite recipes that feature this great veggie/fruit.

Main Dishes with Zucchini:

• Pasta with Zucchini and Garlicky Breadcrumbs
• Parchment Lemon Salmon With Potatoes and Zucchini
• Baked Turkey Meatballs with Zucchini and Carrot
• Sheet Pan Shrimp and Veggies
• Ground Beef Enchilada Casserole

Zucchini Side Dishes:

• Zucchini Casserole with Crisp Herb Topping
• Zucchini Basil Pesto
• Tortellini with Roasted Veggies and Basil Vinaigrette
• Zucchini Fritters

Zucchini Muffins:

• Banana Zucchini Muffins with Walnuts
• Lemon Olive Oil Zucchini Muffins
• Zucchini Chocolate Chip Muffins

I hope you give some of these recipes a try! We love them all, and there’s something for everyone here.

Why is Zucchini Healthy?

Zucchini, also known by its French name, courgette, packs in quite a few vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that are good for the body and brain. This despite being low in calories, fat, and sugar. Zucchini is especially rich in Vitamin A, which can support healthy vision and a strong immune system. Raw zucchini also packs in a notable amount of Vitamin C, which supports immunity as well as tissue growth and repair.

Like many fruits and veggies, zucchini gives you a useful batch of antioxidants, which help your body capture and neutralize free radicals. Most of zucchini’s antioxidants are found in its skin, so for maximum nutrition, don’t peel off that dark green!