All About Zucchini

A Nutritious Native Squash Loved Across The Globe
ready-to-pick zucchini with a blossom

What Kind of Plant is Zucchini?

Zucchini is a type of summer squash native to the Americas, but loved the world over.

Is Zucchini a Fruit or a Vegetable?

A member of the gourd family, zucchini is technically a fruit.

However, it is prepared most often as a vegetable.

Can You Eat Zucchini Flowers?

The blossoms of zucchini squash are both edible and nutritious, and make a tasty edition to fruit salads, soups, and more.

They should be picked the same day they are used.

Why is Zucchini Good For You?

  • Low in Calories

    Zucchini is composed almost entirely of water—more than 95 percent—which means it is very low in calories.

  • High in Nutrients

    Despite its modest calorie count, zucchini boasts a good amount of basic nutrients:

    • vitamin C
    • fiber
    • magnesium
    • potassium
  • Helps Support Vision

    It's a great source of carotenoids (lutein and zeaxanthin), which are known to protect against cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.

Click to See Our Sources

The Food Encyclopedia by Jacques L. Rolland and Carol Sherman ($49.95, Robert Rose, 2006)

Wellness Foods A to Z by Sheldon Margen, MD, and the editors of the UC Berkeley Wellness Letter ($39.95, Health Letter Associates, 2002)

Our Favorites

There's no goign wrong with these tried-and-true recipes.

Zucchini Noodles

Find out why they're such a popular substitute!

Classics with a Twist

Mix up your favorites with a little help from your old pal Zucchini.

Desserts

You didn't think we'd skip the sweets, did you? Try these delectable treats tonight!

Contributor

The Taste for Life Staff

The Taste for Life staff come from a wide variety of backgrounds and specialties. We believe learning is a life-long process, and love to share the knowledge we gain.