topic Re: Is This Zucchini OK? in Recipes

Is This Zucchini OK?

JeanLouiseFinch — Mon, 10 Aug 2020 14:43:14 GMT

Our son was gifted a giant zucchini from his neighbor’s backyard garden. He isn’t going to use it so he gave it to me. I’ve never seen one this large in all my life. It’s a zucchini on steroids - longer than my forearm, a good 4” or so wide at the base, and about 2.5” wide at the stem.

Is it usable? We don’t eat regular pasta, but I could cut it into slices/sheets for a lasagna, if it’s ok to use.

Re: Is This Zucchini OK?

nana59 — Mon, 10 Aug 2020 14:51:28 GMT

what a great 'gift'......i wouldn't eat it.....but i might use it as a baseball bat!

Re: Is This Zucchini OK?

Still Raining — Mon, 10 Aug 2020 14:53:01 GMT

Should be fine.

They are good raw in salads too. Can also bake slices with your choice of seasoning or slice and cook up with some more tasty veggies as a topping for meat or starch.

Re: Is This Zucchini OK?

phluphy — Mon, 10 Aug 2020 14:54:18 GMT

That size zucchini tend to be full of seeds...you might be able to rescue some of it but not the seeds. You could grate some of it. Many recipes on line. Good Luck!!

Re: Is This Zucchini OK?

RespectLife — Mon, 10 Aug 2020 15:03:03 GMT

I agree....it will be seedy.

Once you cut it open, you will be able to tell if the 'meaty' section is okay.

If it looks or feels foamy or is spongy to the touch, I would chuck it.

But if it is nice and firm, I would also grate it for baking, zoodle it for 'pasta', dice it for a veggie, steamed or raw...

Just ditch the middle seedy part.

I have used many zucc we missed and let get too big.

Re: Is This Zucchini OK?

Shepherd — Mon, 10 Aug 2020 15:09:13 GMT

Stuff it after you take out all the middle part & seeds. Not a fan. Of course it's ok to eat, just not that tasty. Watery.

Re: Is This Zucchini OK?

JeanLouiseFinch — Mon, 10 Aug 2020 15:11:21 GMT

A baseball bat! 😆

Thanks for all the input. I was wondering about seeds and the quality of the flesh. Dinner for tonight is already planned but I’ll cut this thing tomorrow and see what it’s like inside.

Re: Is This Zucchini OK?

ALRATIBA — Mon, 10 Aug 2020 15:13:23 GMT

@JeanLouiseFinch

If you have one of those gadgets that make zucchini noodles (zoodles) - it automatically removed the center seed part of the veggie.

Re: Is This Zucchini OK?

Scorpio1971 — Mon, 10 Aug 2020 15:42:10 GMT

You can stuff it. Do not skin it. Slice lengthwise and scoop out some or most of the seeds. You can stuff with something similar to what many use in stuffed peppers, a partially cooked mixture (because hamburger, chicken or turkey would not have enough time to fully cook during baking) of hamburger, rice, spices, tomato sauce/gravy of some type, even jar store bought sauce and bake it...zucchini boats. You can also stuff it with other veggies such as mushrooms, cherry or grape tomatoes, blanched broccoli and/or cauliflower, spices of your choosing mixed with a little olive oil and topped with cheese such as mozzarella, fontina, or for something stronger tasting a cheddar or whatever you like and bake.

Or you could simply cut into 2 inch chunks, season on baking sheet with olive oil and spices/seasonings of your liking such garlic powder, salt, pepper, parsley and/or basil, or any seasonings you like and roast at about 450° turning occasionally, there will be quite a bit of moisture because zucchini has a lot of moisture and can use as a veggie side dish or even to top pasta as a primavera type meal. Mix in other veggies such as cherry/grape tomatoes & mushrooms to roast too if you want a primavera style topping for pasta. Can even put zucchini on grill if you have one & grill it instead of oven roasting and this would help with moisture and if also using smaller pieces or items such as tomatoes & mushrooms use an outdoor perforated grilling pan if you have one.

Last resort...shred for zucchini bread or muffins! 😊😋

Re: Is This Zucchini OK?

JeanLouiseFinch — Mon, 10 Aug 2020 15:43:13 GMT

@ALRATIBA wrote:
@JeanLouiseFinch

If you have one of those gadgets that make zucchini noodles (zoodles) - it automatically removed the center seed part of the veggie.

Yes, I have one that goes on my Kitchenaid mixer. I haven’t used it in awhile so I’m not sure if the zucchini diameter would be an issue. I’ll have to check.

Re: Is This Zucchini OK?

JeanLouiseFinch — Mon, 10 Aug 2020 15:51:23 GMT

@Scorpio1971 wrote:
You can stuff it. Do not skin it. Slice lengthwise and scoop out some or most of the seeds. You can stuff with something similar to what many use in stuffed peppers, a partially cooked mixture (because hamburger, chicken or turkey would not have enough time to fully cook during baking) of hamburger, rice, spices, tomato sauce/gravy of some type, even jar store bought sauce and bake it...zucchini boats. You can also stuff it with other veggies such as mushrooms, cherry or grape tomatoes, blanched broccoli and/or cauliflower, spices of your choosing mixed with a little olive oil and topped with cheese such as mozzarella, fontina, or for something stronger tasting a cheddar or whatever you like and bake.

Or you could simply cut into 2 inch chunks, season on baking sheet with olive oil and spices/seasonings of your liking such garlic powder, salt, pepper, parsley and/or basil, or any seasonings you like and roast at about 450° turning occasionally, there will be quite a bit of moisture because zucchini has a lot of moisture and can use as a veggie side dish or even to top pasta as a primavera type meal. Mix in other veggies such as cherry/grape tomatoes & mushrooms to roast too if you want a primavera style topping for pasta. Can even put zucchini on grill if you have one & grill it instead of oven roasting and this would help with moisture and if also using smaller pieces or items such as tomatoes & mushrooms use an outdoor perforated grilling pan if you have one.

Last resort...shred for zucchini bread or muffins! 😊😋

Thanks @Scorpio1971 I make zucchini boats from time to time. This thing is much too large. If I find that it’s useable, I’ll probably make a simple meat sauce with ground beef, a little Italian sausage and a jar of RAO’s. Either turn it into a keto lasagna or roast the zucchini chunks and put the meat sauce over the top. Whatever is left can be turned into ratatouille as a side dish another day this week. We’ll see.

Re: Is This Zucchini OK?

Scorpio1971 — Mon, 10 Aug 2020 16:15:13 GMT

@JeanLouiseFinch

Sounds great! Enjoy! P.S. I like Rao's too! 😊

Re: Is This Zucchini OK?

Sooner — Mon, 10 Aug 2020 17:58:41 GMT

One that big I'd probably pitch out. They are seedy and sort of spongy in the rest of it.

Re: Is This Zucchini OK?

CelticCrafter — Mon, 10 Aug 2020 20:00:18 GMT

We had a neighbor gift us with a cucumber like that. Left it at the front door, if we had known we wouldn't have taken it because neither one of us eat cucumbers because of heartburn and indigestion.

Under other circumstances I would have found someone else to give it to but since we aren't seeing anyone I pitched it.

Re: Is This Zucchini OK?

depglass — Mon, 10 Aug 2020 21:49:11 GMT

I also stuff these big ones with the same mixture I put in stuffed peppers. Its sort of spanish rice with ground beef sauteed with onions, (optional celery and green pepper) then add caned diced tomatoes, canned mushrooms and rice. Wrap ends with aluminum if you have to shorten the "boat."

Re: Is This Zucchini OK?

RedTop — Mon, 10 Aug 2020 22:41:44 GMT

Your words "never seen one this large in all my life" equals too big for me to cook.

Zucchini, squash, and cucumbers are tastier when young and tender, so we do not let the ones we're going to eat, grow that large.