How to make your summer recipes a success with seasonal zucchini: easy tips and delicious ideas
French zucchini Fresh recipes Budget tips Vitamins & Lightness
Introduction: zucchini, the star of summer 🥗
In summer, zucchini arrives in the kitchen with its freshness, simplicity, and endless possibilities. Whether you pick it from the garden or find it on the market, it embodies the season: light, vitamin-packed, and quick to prepare. Rich in water, a source of potassium and fiber, zucchini is perfect for healthy meals, but never boring!
But how can you get away from the usual gratins and stir-fries? Discover in this article how to transform this sunny vegetable into the star of your plates, whether they're vegetarian, gourmet, or to share on the barbecue. You'll see, sometimes it doesn't take much to enhance zucchini and delight everyone 🔥.
Gourmet ideas and creative uses
Zucchini has this magical gift of adapting to all tastes. It loves quick cooking and doesn't even need to be peeled! Here are some inspirations to refresh your summer meals:
Grilled Zucchini on the Barbecue 🔥
Slice them lengthwise, brush them with olive oil, sprinkle with fresh herbs or spices, and place them on the grill. With a suitable griddle or barbecue , you will get beautiful golden marks and a melting texture. Perfect to serve as a side dish or tapas.
Soft zucchini and feta cake
Grate one or two zucchinis, squeeze out the water, add eggs, flour, feta, olive oil, and herbs. In the oven! It's the perfect solution for picnics or summer aperitifs.
Crunchy Raw Zucchini Salad 🥗
Slice the zucchini into thin strips with a peeler and season with lemon, olive oil, salt, pepper, and a few shavings of Parmesan. A real boost of freshness, try it with seeds or pine nuts.
Express Stuffed Courgettes
Cut them in half, hollow them out, and top with ricotta, sundried tomatoes, and a little cured ham or tofu. Bake for ten minutes. Simple, quick, and always a hit!
Cold zucchini soup or gazpacho
Blend the zucchini in a suitable blender , along with basil, a little cream cheese, salt and pepper. Add a few ice cubes and you have a light starter, perfect for warm evenings.
Air fryer zucchini “fries” style
Cut into strips, lightly bread, then use a well-chosen air fryer for quick and light cooking. A crispy snack to dip in yogurt sauce.
And for even more ideas, check out our recipes of the week : fresh inspiration, quick tips, and variations so you never get tired of zucchini.
Tips for making the most of zucchini every day
Choose small zucchini : they are firmer, less watery, and not bitter. Round or yellow varieties add color and sweetness.
No need to peel : the thin skin concentrates vitamins and adds texture. Wash well, slice, and cook right away!
Salt after cooking : to avoid the spongy effect, cook your zucchini over high heat and salt only at the end so that they remain firm.
Mix and match cooking methods : sauté, grill, steam, or even bake. For a gourmet effect, consider pairing zucchini with goat cheese or fresh mint.
Grated zucchini in desserts : it adds softness to cakes and brownies, without any strong taste, and helps reduce fat.
Budget, purchases & storage: cooking smart this summer
Good news: zucchini is one of the most economical vegetables of the summer, especially if you favor local producers or markets. In peak season, its price is very reasonable and the freshness is guaranteed. Picked in the morning, they can easily be stored for several days in a cool place or at room temperature if they are whole.
To limit waste, cook them quickly after purchase. If you have a lot of them, consider preparing them on a large scale: ratatouille, tarts, or even pickled zucchini. You can also freeze them, already diced or sliced, to enjoy their flavor all year round.
Looking to save money or equip your kitchen for summer? Discover our selection of barbecue and grill items , or equip yourself with a sturdy blender to effortlessly make gazpacho and cold soups.
FAQ: Zucchini, tips and seasonal questions
Should you remove the skin from zucchini?
No, unless it's very thick or damaged. The skin is thin, rich in nutrients, and adds color and texture to all your dishes.
How to prevent zucchini from releasing too much water during cooking?
Preferably cook over high heat, cut them into large pieces, and always salt them after cooking. You can also pre-cook them in the oven or steam them to control moisture.
Can you freeze zucchini?
Yes! Cut them into slices or cubes, blanch them for a minute, then dry them well before freezing. Perfect for using them in soups or gratin out of season.
What original associations with zucchini?
Try it with mint, lemon, fresh goat cheese, curry, pistachio, or even in a green smoothie with apple and basil for a sweet and savory touch.
How to use zucchini in desserts?
Grated and well wrung out, it replaces part of the butter in cakes and brownies, providing softness and lightness without a dominant flavor.
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