Can You Eat Zucchini Skin & More!

A zucchini is a summer squash that is eaten raw as a vegetable, either on its own or in salads and soups. Learn more about courgettes, including if zucchini needs to be peeled, if the skin is edible, and more in this resourceful article!

do you peel zucchini?

Wondering if you can eat zucchini skin? Zucchini (courgette), summer squash, or yellow squash does not have to be peeled because it has a very thin, edible skin. In fact, the skin, seeds, and flowers are all edible!

The larger the zucchini is, the thicker the skin will be, so peeling those can be a matter of preference, but it is still not necessary when making zucchini recipes.

Some people prefer to peel zucchini when baking to eliminate the green color, but it’s not necessary. Peeling also helps “hide” the green from unsuspecting kids to use in zucchini cake, meatballs, or casseroles.

benefits of zucchini skin

Since zucchini has a neutral flavor, many home cooks use it to add moisture and nutrients to their culinary delights. According to webmd.com, its high nutritional content is as beneficial as its low calorie count.

Zucchinis are a great source of fiber, potassium, folate. Removing the skin would result in a loss of these healthy benefits. So be sure to leave it on especially when making roasted zucchini or grilled zucchini and squash.

How to clean zucchini

Because zucchini and squash have such smooth, thin skin, cleaning it is quite easy. Run the veggie under cold water, gently brushing away any visible dirt with your hands. Avoid using a scrub brush, which will scrape away the delicate skin.

Once clean, use a clean towel or paper towels to dry it off. To maximize freshness for longer, wash zucchini right before using.

how to store zucchini

Fresh zucchini will last in the fridge for about a week. When choosing your produce, make sure the skin is smooth, shiny, and not wrinkled, which could be a sign of zucchini past its prime.

For best storage, do not wash the squash until ready to use. Store in the crisper drawer, where humidity is less, and be sure it is not in a tightly closed bag. It needs ventilation for the moisture to escape.

ways to use zucchini

Zucchini has a very high water content, up to 94 percent. While this is very beneficial for adding moisture in baked goods, like gluten free zucchini bread and zucchini brownies, it can lead to sogginess when cooking with it.

The larger the zucchini, the more water it contains. Therefore, it’s import to choose the right sized zucchini for the recipe. While it’s tempting to put that overgrown squash to use, save large zucchini for baking.

Pick small, young zucchini to avoid a soggy texture when sautéing, grilling, or roasting. These squash have less seeds, water content, and great flavor without needing a long cook time.

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