What Goes Well With Zucchini?

What goes well with zucchini? Learn the best ingredient pairings, meal ideas, popular flavor combinations, and other helpful tips.

Ingredient pairing is simply just matching foods together that have similar flavor profiles (or the same flavor compounds found in each ingredient).

It’s easier to start experimenting and getting more creative in the kitchen when you know what ingredients already go well together. This will help you become less reliant on recipes and be a more adaptable, resourceful, and intuitive cook.

What is Zucchini?

Zucchini (also called a courgette in other countries) is part of the gourd vegetable family (also called Cucurbits) along with pumpkin, squash (winter and summer), cucumber, watermelon, and other melons.

It resembles a cucumber in shape and size with smooth, thin skin that’s either green or yellow but can also be striped or speckled. Its flesh is tender and filled with several edible seeds in its center.

Helpful Tips

How to Cut

Zucchini can be cut in a number of different ways: zoodles, julienne, coins, half moons, quarters, dice, halved, shredded, etc.

When to Buy

The peak season for zucchini is spring and summer. Peep the seasonal produce guide to see what else is in season right now.

What to Look For

Look for zucchini that is firm, heavy for its size, and has shiny and unblemished skin. Choose squash that is average size for the best flavor.

Storage

Store unwashed, in the crisper drawer of your fridge.

How to Prepare

Zucchini can be fried, grilled, pan-roasted, roasted, sautéed, steamed, or baked (in bread or cookies).

What Ingredients Go Well With Zucchini?

Vegetables

Bell peppers (green, red, yellow), chile peppers, corn, eggplant, garlic, onions (esp. yellow or white), squash (pattypan & yellow), scallions, and zucchini blossoms.

Fruit

Lemons and tomatoes.

Spices

Cinnamon, coriander, mustard seeds (esp. black), pepper (black and white), red pepper flakes, saffron, and salt (kosher & sea).

Herbs

Basil, chives, cilantro, curry leaf, dill, lemon thyme, marjoram, mint, oregano, parsley (flat-leaf), rosemary, sage, tarragon, and thyme.

Nuts & Seeds

Pecans, pine nuts, sesame seeds, and walnuts.

Non-dairy/dairy

Butter, cheese (cheddar, feta, parmesan, ricotta), cashew cream, sour cream, and yogurt.

Proteins

Fish, meat, salmon, sausage, scallops, and shrimp.

Pantry Items

Bread crumbs, olive oil, olives (esp. black or Nicoise), pasta, pesto (red, arugula, cilantro, or walnut basil), rice, stock/broth, vinegar (balsamic, champagne, red wine, sherry), and dry white wine.

For dairy-free cream use cashew, oat, or canned coconut cream.

  • basil + garlic
  • cream + parmesan
  • eggplant + garlic + onions + tomatoes
  • cheese + pecans + olive oil

What To Make With Zucchini

Zucchini is a common ingredient in French and Italian cuisine and can be used in both savory and sweet dishes alike. Try one of these recipes as a starting point:

More Ingredient Pairings

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