How to use that Massively Overgrown Zucchini

Every year I am absolutely amazed by how productive zucchini (courgette) plants really are. It seems like as soon as you have picked your first perfect zucchini, you are overrun with it week after week.

If you’re like me, life gets busy. This is especially true in the peek of summer when you just want to get out and soak up the sun before the first crisp promise of fall arrives.

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If you’ve let your zucchini plant do its thing unattended for even a week or two, then you can be sure to come back to some absolutely huge zucchini fruits. In this post, I’m going to break down how to use that overgrown zucchini and share some recipes that are actually better using overripe zucchini.

When to pick the perfect zucchini

Zucchini are their best when they are between 6 to 8 inches long. When they are this size, they are perfect for creating zoodles, stir-frying, or just chopped and eaten raw with a nice salad.

When they get larger than this size, they can become tough. Not every zucchini recipe will turn out the way you expect it to when you use an overgrown zucchini.

Can you still eat a huge zucchini?

When zucchini becomes overgrown, it is called a marrow.

These large squashes are excellent in a variety of recipes-especially muffins, bread, and cakes due to the structure of the fruit.

You can also use the huge zucchini as a stuffed squash.

The possibilities here are truly endless.

How to prevent zucchini from becoming overgrown

The best way to prevent your zucchini from becoming overgrown is to pick them when they are small and to pick them often.

If you have more than what you can use, you can always preserve zucchini in the same way you would cucumber by pickling it!

You can also blanch and freeze your abundance to be used in stir-fry’s, soups or stews throughout the colder winter months.

Don’t forget to share your bounty with friends, neighbours and loved ones!

Did you know you can eat the zucchini flower?

If your plants are producing more than you can handle (or share), go ahead and indulge in this delicacy!

You can use the flowers to hold a stuffing of rice, lentils, and veg, or fry them up as you would the full zucchini fruit.

The cooking time will be a little less, as the flowers are quite delicate.

How to cut a large zucchini

The best way to cut a large zucchini (marrow) is to first cut off the ends. Then you will cut the entire marrow in half, lengthwise. Once you’ve done this step, go ahead and remove the large seeds and pulp from the center of each side. Peel the skin of the outside of the fruit if you are shredding or cubing it. If you are using it as stuffed zucchini, you don’t need to remove the skin.

How to cut an extra large zucchini:

1. Cut the ends off, about an inch on each side
2. Slice horizontally, down the length of the zucchini
3. Remove the seeds and tougher center from both sides
4. Peel the skin for shredded or cubed zucchini
5. Leave the skin on if stuffing the zucchini

Don’t forget to save the seeds

If you want to grow your own zucchini next year, get savvy, and save the seeds! This post has an easy to follow tutorial for you to try.  

The BEST vegan recipes for an overgrown zucchini

Here are some of the best sweet and savory vegan recipes for you to try out using your overgrown zucchini.

Sweet vegan recipes using overgrown zucchini. Always eat dessert first:

• Fudgy Zucchini Brownies
• Gluten-Free Pumpkin Zucchini Bread
• Chocolate Zucchini Pancakes with Blueberries
• Vegan Gluten-Free Zucchini Bread
• Vegan Chocolate Zucchini Cake
• Healthy Zucchini Muffins
• Maple Cinnamon and Brown Sugar Vegan Zucchini Muffins
• Easy Chocolate Zucchini Cake
• Gluten Free Vegan Chocolate Zucchini Muffins
• Gluten-Free Coconut Flour Zucchini Bread

Savory vegan recipes using overgrown zucchini. Serve up something delicious:

• Easy Zucchini Cakes
• Courgette and Red Onion Pakora
• Greek Vegan Courgette Filo Pie
• Cold Summer Zucchini Soup
• One-Pot Ratatoulle
• Vegan Zucchini Fritters
• Low-Calorie Mexican Zucchini Boats
• Sneaky Zucchini Meatballs (Vegan)
• Vegan Oven-Fried Parmesan Zucchini Crisps
• Vegetable Stuffed Zucchini
• Healthy Zucchini Chickpeas Curry
• One-Pot Vegan Minestrone Soup
• Vegan Gluten-Free Lasagna
• Courgettes Stuffed With Red Lentil Curry
• Quinoa Stuffed Zucchini Boats with Walnut Parmesan
• Vegan Zucchini Casserole with “Mozzarella”

I can’t wait to hear which one you tried out!

Leave me a comment with any questions or let us all know what your own favorite recipe is to use that huge zucchini.

Pin this post so you can come back and try out a new zucchini recipe next time!

Until next time guys,

P.S.

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