10 Creative Ways To Use Zucchini When Cooking

They often get mistaken for cucumbers, but zucchinis have a refreshing bitter taste that makes them perfect for adding to a variety of dishes – especially when cooked.

Compared with other bitter vegetables, such as bitter melons, zucchinis are relatively mild and, as a result, far more versatile.

They offer soft centers yet crunchy skins, which only adds to their appeal when sliced and added to the right dish! 

It also goes without saying that zucchinis are super healthy.

If you love zucchini, this guide lists 10 creative ways to use zucchini when cooking. Impress your friends by taking your food game to the next level with these must-know basic zucchini recipes and tips!

1. Chili And Lemon Pasta With Zucchini

Zucchini is perfect with pasta, even more so when you add chili flakes and flavor it with a touch of lemon zest and lemon juice. It’s simple, but a taste of heaven itself.

Ingredients you can also include are onion, garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, parsley, and parmesan to finish.

This dish isn’t hard to make either: just cook the pasta as normal and add the ingredients as desired.

2. Zucchini, Chorizo, And Ricotta Casarecce

Chorizo sausage complements zucchini, and if you don’t believe it, adding it to casarecce and ricotta is one to try. 

Along with dried chorizo sausage, zucchinis, and casarecce or penne pasta, you can even add frozen peas, white wine, and lemon juice to give this dish extra kick.

And for the best flavor, make sure to add the ricotta and basil last.

3. Zucchini Walnut Cake

You read that right: zucchini and cake! For the cake lovers out there, zucchini and walnuts work well together in a soft sponge by simply grating the zucchini beforehand.

Aside from the basic ingredients to make a cake, ingredients here include zucchini and golden walnuts, coconut flakes, cream cheese, icing mixture, and lemon juice.

Once made, serve up with your go-to coffee.

4. Zucchini, Asparagus And Lemon Minted Feta Salad

Take your salads up a notch by adding zucchini. This salad dish can also involve asparagus and peas, perfect for the health-conscious who like to keep calories low.

Make sure you’ve got zucchini, trimmed asparagus, peas, snap peas, crumble feta, chopped mint, and lemon juice/zest to tick all the boxes for this dish.

All you need to do is cook the zucchini, asparagus, and peas before adding in the rest.

5. Zucchini, Sweet Potato, & Feta Frittata

Zucchini will further prove its versatility when added to sweet potato and feta frittatas.

This can be a light lunch dish for any season, ideal if you also want to watch your weight. 

To make zucchini frittatas, you’ll need to have crumbled feta, tomatoes, eggs, onion, basil leaves, and mediterranean salad.

If you’ve a passion for cooking, this one will be especially easy to make.

6. Sweet Corn And Zucchini Ratatouille

Chances are you’ve never added zucchini to ratatouille, so here’s a reason that you should.

Zucchini and sweetcorn are great together, and when put into ratatouille the result is a guaranteed treat for the taste buds.

For your other ingredients, you can include parsley, thyme, basil leaves, lemon juice, red onions and garlic, and capsicum. Overall, it’s vegetable-packed and vegan-friendly.

7. Zucchini Flower Quesadillas

Who says zucchini can’t be used in quesadillas? The light bitterness adds a nice touch, especially when loaded with cheese and sprinkled with chili flakes.

Using zucchinis this way can be as simple as you like, using tortillas, grated cheese, dried chili flakes, and, of course, zucchinis. For extra flavor, use fresh baby zucchinis. 

8. Zucchini Kebabs

Not everyone uses zucchinis on their kebab sticks and it’s a topic worth discussing. That’s for another time, though, as it’ll be far more fun to give zucchini kebabs a try. 

Vegetarian or not, zucchini is versatile for any kind of kebab. Add cherry tomatoes and eggplants to the stick or serve with your favorite grilled meat.

Either way, zucchini is the perfect addition to throw on the barbecue. 

9. Sauteed Broccoli And Baby Spinach With Zucchini

If you love greens, nothing should stop you from boiling your favorites and throwing them in a bowl – zucchini included. Broccoli and baby spinach are good choices here, but it’s totally up to you.

This clean, healthy offering is also perfect as a side. Just boil the vegetables on high heat, add garlic for extra flavor, and finish with grated parmesan cheese.

10. Couscous With Zucchini

Last but not least, you’re missing out if you haven’t put couscous and zucchini together. It’s a simple way to use zucchini that tastes even better with pistachios and mint leaves.

Perfect as a light and healthy evening meal, couscous with zucchini can also include dried cranberries, lemon juice, and lime zest for a citrusy kick. 

Conclusion

And there you have it: 10 creative ways to use zucchini, including a few basic recipes and tips, that are sure to rouse your tastebuds and impress your friends!

If you were looking to take your zucchini game to the next level, serving up one of the above is all it takes.

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If you enjoyed this post, you might enjoy our article on ‘10 Best Stuffed Vegetable Recipes (That Are Sure To Impress)‘ or visit all our articles at RateYourBurn.