Zucchini

Zucchini is a summer squash originating in Europe, but most commonly cultivated in the Americas. It is botanically a fruit, though used cooked most commonly in vegetable side dishes.

Zucchini is very easily grown and almost all zucchini farmers are presented with a surplus of the crop every year. Based on this excess supply, zucchini are often incorporated into other dishes, unlike other squash. Raw zucchini flesh and pulp are tender and the flavor is delicate. This allows the squash to be incorporated into raw or cooked dishes as well as sweet or savory dishes. Bakeries will often serve zucchini bread or muffins. They can also be chopped up and incorporated into sauces or soups.

Zucchini grow out of golden flowers that are also edible. The zucchini fruit is, in fact, the ovary of the flower. The flower is heavily cultivated in Mexico and is used frequently in tomato and cream-based soups.