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| Zucchini flower (male) |
Give each plant lots of room to grow in the garden. These are not trailing squashes - just big plants. Full sun is preferred. Zucchinis grow best in fertile soil loosened with compost and leaves.
If you notice the young leaves are damaged and eaten, skim around the soil surface (about 1 inch below) and you may find a cutworm or two. Powdery mildew, a thin, pale chalky film, may strike the leaves of the plant mid season and hinder growth. There are varieties that resist powdery mildew.
Both male and female flowers form on a zucchini plant. Bees move pollen from the male flower to the female. If too many leaves cover the flowers, cut some leaves back, so the bees can see the flowers. You can assist with pollination of squash plants by transferring pollen from the male plant to the female flower with a Q-tip.
By late July, small zucchinis are ready to eat. They are at their best for fresh eating when small, so harvest early and harvest often. Turn your back and you will have giant zucchinis. No need to peel away the skin - it is mild and edible. Eat them cooked or raw.
Cut zucchini in half along the length, and brush with a little olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and dust the top with cinnamon. Grill for about 5 minutes with the peel side down and flip it over for just a few more minutes. It gets mushy if overcooked.
Spiralize raw zucchini or shave it with a vegetable peeler for fresh use in salads. Some use it in place of pasta.
It's good chopped and lightly fried in olive oil & garlic. Basil and shaved parmesan cheese enhance the flavour of zucchini.
For the baker, there is always zucchini loaf or chocolate zucchini muffins.
Don't underestimate the lowly zucchini. It is refreshingly delicious and easy to grow. By August, we are inundated with zucchini. Lots to give away.
By late July, small zucchinis are ready to eat. They are at their best for fresh eating when small, so harvest early and harvest often. Turn your back and you will have giant zucchinis. No need to peel away the skin - it is mild and edible. Eat them cooked or raw.
Cut zucchini in half along the length, and brush with a little olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and dust the top with cinnamon. Grill for about 5 minutes with the peel side down and flip it over for just a few more minutes. It gets mushy if overcooked.
It's good chopped and lightly fried in olive oil & garlic. Basil and shaved parmesan cheese enhance the flavour of zucchini.
For the baker, there is always zucchini loaf or chocolate zucchini muffins.
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| Papaya Pear Zucchini |
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| Zucchini flower (female) |