It’s that time of year again and my kitchen is filled with the fresh smell of zucchini bread baking in the oven. Zucchini is a common type of summer squash and is typically in season from July-September. Zucchini can be prepared many ways like baked into bread, steamed, grilled, roasted, or sautéed.

When selecting zucchini look for ones that are small, firm, and with bright green and glossy skin. Look out for zucchini that might be bruised, soft, or dull. Large zucchini typically has more seeds and are tougher. These larger zucchinis are typically used for making stuffed zucchini.

When preparing to use zucchini, rinse under cold water and scrub with a vegetable brush and carefully remove any dirt or wax. The skin of zucchini is edible. Leave the skin on, and cut the stem off. Zucchini can be cut in many ways depending on how you plan to use it. You might cut it lengthwise, into coins, or grate it.

Zucchini can be stored, unwashed, in your refrigerator for up to four days for the best quality. To freeze zucchini, wash and cut into 1/2-inch pieces, blanch in boiling water for 3 minutes, cool promptly, package, and freeze.

Health benefits of zucchini and Guiness World Records

Zucchini is a vegetable that can provide us with many health benefits. The skin of zucchini is packed with vitamin C, simply wash it before cooking. Zucchini is a great source of fiber which is key to a healthy gut and aiding in digestion. We often hear that carrots are good for our eyes, but zucchini is another great choice.

 According to the Guiness World Records there are two records for zucchini. The first is by a British gardener Bernard Lavery who has the record for heaviest zucchini since 1990 weighing in at 64.5 pounds. The second record is for length set in 2014 by Giovanni Batista Scozzafava with a zucchini length of 8 feet, 3.3 inches long.

One of my favorite ways to prepare zucchini is to simply cut it into coins and sauté in a pan, I add a little bit of seasoning and serve as a side. I recently tried zucchini in the air fryer; it was very simple to prepare and gave the outside edges a crispy texture.

Air fryer zucchini can be super easy to make. Clean, trim off the ends and cut into chunks that are about ¾ inch in size. Toss zucchini in olive oil and add your favorite seasoning, parmesan cheese, or even breadcrumbs. Air fry on 400°F for about 7 to 9 minutes, air frying times may vary depending on your air fryer.

Zucchini is versatile and can be prepared many ways, try out a new recipe this summer!

Kaitlynn Henninge is an OSU Extension Family & Consumer Sciences Educator and may be reached at 330-264-8722 or henninge.5@osu.edu 
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This article was previously published in The Daily Record.