Are you looking for a brand new healthy dish to prepare this evening? Well, this is your cue to stop looking and we suggest you try out Zucchini. Zucchini has become a huge part of western countries’ kitchen. You often see this vegetable on their market as often to always available, as this has also become one of their staple foods. Also called courgette, Zucchini has often mistakenly been recognized as a cucumber by many. Tell you what, they are totally different. You are most probably here if you have not really tried one before, thus questions like “what is Zucchini?”, “what does zucchini taste like?”, “does it taste like cucumber?” may have crossed your mind.
Worry no more as we will discuss these questions and give you hints on its taste and the differences it between cucumbers. Keep reading on as we roll out the fact about Zucchini for you.
What Is Zucchini?
Zucchini, also known as courgette, or baby marrow, is a dark green cylindrical type of fruit from an herbaceous vine. It is categorized under summer squash, which means that they are being harvested when they are still immature where their skin and seeds are still soft. Once matured, it is only then called the marrow. Its color from the outside varies from dark green to yellow shades, depending on the type and quality of soil and seeds that affects the quality of zucchini. It may come out as full dark green or with noticeable yellow long stripes. Inside lies the pale green to white color flesh, where the softer part of the fruit is located.
After its discovery in Milan way back 19th century, Zucchini has also made it to the American regions. In fact, it has become one of their staple food and can usually be found planted in some gardens. The cultivation is not too hard unlike other fruits that require low temperature. Zucchini grows with tropical weather and yields a good number, thus growing one in a temperate climate will be easy.
What Does Zucchini Taste Like?
Although classified as a fruit, zucchini is more often treated and eaten as a vegetable. As a part of Cucurbita pepo, where cucumber is also related, there is no wonder why they are often interchanged. Focusing on Zucchini’s taste, the perfect word to describe its taste is mild. Although it is given that you can still distinguish a vegetal hint in it, you can tell that it is not bitter. What does Zucchini taste like raw? – just like any other vegetables, Zucchini’s leafy taste is more distinguished when eaten raw. On the other hand, the bite is tender and better than it’s cooked. When cooked, it has this distinctive slight sweet taste when you bite. The sweetness is more predominant when it’s cooked. Thus, many prefer it to eat cooked rather than raw, but it still a great ingredient to fresh salads.
Zucchini Vs. Cucumber
Since both came from the same family of Cucurbita pepo, people often mistakenly interchange the two. While both look cylindrical and green, there are always going to be the difference between the two. Otherwise, why are they called different names?
Cucumber is also a gourd that is quite more popular than zucchini around the world. It comes in full dark green to very pale green peel color, while its flesh is usually white. It is frequently seen in salads, toppings, or even in juices. Cucumber is also renowned as a palate cleanser used on sensory evaluation, due to its peculiar refreshing taste and moisture content. Talking about its taste, cucumber is slightly bland compared to zucchini due to its high water content. The taste is also regarded as refreshing and cool to eat. The peel tastes earthier than its flesh, people still leave it as it gives them sufficient texture and structure for a bite.
On the other hand, it should not be confused with zucchini. From the way zucchini looks, its stem is noticed as woody and might sometimes come with a flower. In comparison with their flesh, cucumber has a more pale green hue while zucchini is almost off or creamy white. The seeds are also easy to distinguish from each other. Cucumber’s seeds are just in the middle of the fruits while zucchini’s seeds are blended along the flesh and way smaller than cucumber’s. The taste, as mentioned above is also different. Cucumbers are juicier and crisper than zucchini being with a little more bitter and tender.
Zucchini Recipes
In case you have made this far of the article and decided to try a zucchini dish for snacks, we have prepared a few good recipe ideas for starters!
Zucchini Fritters
- Zucchini
- 1 egg
- Salt
- Garlic
- Black pepper
- Parmesan
- 250g all-purpose flour
- Olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
Using a grate, grate the zucchini and place them into a colander and season with salt, and set aside for 10 minutes. Once done, mix it with parmesan, egg, flour, and garlic; put another pinch of salt and pepper to taste. On a skillet over medium-high heat, heat the olive oil. Once ready, scoop a batter of fritter and flatten it out on the skillet using a spatula. Flip it after 2 minutes or when it’s already golden brown. Enjoy!
Zucchini Crisps
- Zucchini
- Crumbs
- Parmesan
- All-purpose flour
- 2 eggs
- Oil
Slice zucchini into ¼ thick rounds. On another bowl, combine parmesan and crumbs. Once prepared, dredge the zucchini into flour, dip it next to the egg, then dredge into parmesan and crumbs to coat. On a large skillet over medium heat, fry the zucchini until golden brown and crispy. Best served when hot!
Conclusion
Zucchini is described by many as mild with a slight sweetness. It’s a type of fruit that is treated as a vegetable that can be cooked in many different ways, regardless of any cuisine it may be. Indeed, this fruit is versatile in taste. Hopefully, we have answered your questions “what does zucchini taste like?” and “does it taste like cucumber?” in this article.
You honestly cannot consider as a bad decision to choose zucchini recipes for snacks, lunch, or dinner at any time of the day. Aside from the fact that it can offer extra health benefits, zucchini does not taste bad and bitter, unlike other vegetables that you can think of. Thus, go ahead and pick some now at your favorite grocery store. Just be sure to get the right one and don’t get it confused between cucumber. Remember the differences when it comes to appearance and taste. If you look at it closely, you will easily spot the difference!
