I might be one of the only people to not only celebrate National Zucchini Day, but look forward to it!
If you are a gardener who has ever planted zucchini, then you know the struggle to eat up, preserve, or give away the mass quantities of zucchini your garden produces. Seems fitting around this time of year when peak zucchini season is in full swing, that there would be a day devoted to zucchinis!
If you’re looking to get in on the celebration, here are 15 recipes to choose from. Make one or make them all {heaven knows you’ll have enough zucchini for whatever you choose!}.
Recipes to Celebrate National Zucchini Day
Roasted Zucchini Parmesan: You can serve this as a main dish like a proper lasagna {you can even add some ground beef if you’d like to up the protein level}, or it would work perfectly as a side dish. It’s cheesy and bubbly and ohso savory! Holy YUM!
Chocolate Zucchini Cake: My kids even knew what was in this cake and let me tell you Bob, even still it was a big hit. The chocolatey goodness overpowers the zucchini in the best way!
Baked Zucchini Fries: Love fries but want a healthier version? These zucchini fries will hit the spot. Baked, not fried means a ton less calories. Dip them in marinara and you’ll have a delicious, nutritious snack!
Zucchini Hummus: If you are a traditional hummus lover, this is a must-try. If you’re anything like me, you’ll start coming up with all sorts of things to dip in it: fancy chips or my favorite, Kashi Oven Roasted Vegetable Crackers.
I LOVE ZUCCHINI!
Fried Potatoes with Peppers and Zucchini: We love potatoes for breakfast. During the summer months we like to jack them up with all sorts of fresh vegetables, like zucchini!
Vegan Zucchini Bread w/ Chocolate Chips: I know what you are thinking… Mavis, there must be fifty seven million and two zucchini bread recipes out there, does the world really need another one? My answer – Yes. This recipe is that good!
Zucchini {Apple} Pie: Basically, this is a fake apple pie. You heard me, a knock off apple pie. I was a little skeptical, but I tried it anyway. And my oh my, it’s dang good! You cannot even tell you are eating zucchini because it has the same texture and sweetness as an apple pie would, this is the perfect dessert to trick your Handsome Husband and kids into eating their vegetables.
Double Chocolate Zucchini Brownies: When you put zucchini in brownies, it’s basically permission to eat two helpings, several times of day. It’s basic food pyramid stuff!
Marinated Zucchini Salad: It’s simple. It’s tasty. It’s healthy. I always have all the ingredients on hand. Makes it a winner in my book.
More Zucchini Recipes
Zucchini Relish: I’ve been using this zucchini relish recipe for years and the funny thing is, you can’t even tell you’re eating zucchini. It really does taste like regular relish. We like to use it on hot dogs, hamburger and mixed in with potato salad. It’s delicious!
Zucchini Chocolate Chip Cookies: If you’re tired of the same old chocolate chips cookies, here’s an alternative that sneak a little veggies into your kid’s diet {and yours} and you won’t be the wiser.
Roasted Vegetable Salad with Avocado: Oh yum oh yum oh yum. It’s so good I have to say it 3 times. And you can use up a few more excess veggies beyond your zucchini haul!
Summer Corn with Zucchini and Onions: It’s a simple mix of flavor that I could eat for days on end. If you bring this to a summer BBQ, be sure to double the recipe. It always goes fast!
Zucchini Cupcakes w/ Cream Cheese Frosting: I already have a zucchini bread recipe that I love, so changed it up a bit and tried some cupcakes instead. They are gobbled up by Monkey Boy every time I make them. Like scarfing 3 or 4 in a sitting. Ahhh, teenagers!
Looking for more zucchini recipes? Check out my Zucchini Recipe Pinterest Board!
Have a great day,
~Mavis
Jamie says
The vegan zucchini bread recipe really is the best one ever and my go to recipe! I used to hate zucchini bread. Most recipes end up with dry, oily bread which seems impossible. This recipe is always moist for days and not oily. I love adding some flax and extra vanilla.
Brenda says
I almost never have a problem with too many zucchini. It seems that every year I get 1-2 zucchinis and then the bugs kill my plants!
Carrie says
Squash bugs and mildew have destroyed my zucchini and squash plants this year. I got 5 zucchinis this year. Maybe someone will gift me one today!
Katy says
You crack me up. Grilling is my fav prep method.
Rita says
Love the nun photos! You are so cute!
suzy says
I think that’s her Pilgrim costume.
Hazel says
I never seem to have too much courgette (zucchini!) either. If I do have lots I make this soup, which uses up any that have got too big to grill, if you find one or two you’ve missed.
Coarsely grate courgette, add a little salt, cover and cook gently in butter until softened. There should be lots of liquid. Blend (I use a stick blender in the pan), season to taste with pepper and freshly grated nutmeg, adjust salt if necessary. Serve! Don’t be tempted to add stock/milk/cream/garlic/cheese, it doesn’t need it. Even my husband loves this soup and he’s really not a big courgette/zucchini fan 🙂
Stacie says
So, I have to ask….did you stand on the side of the street in a pilgrim outfit handing out free zucchini?? Inquiring minds want to know what is going on in these photos?? Looks like good times were had by all though!
Sue R. says
This was a very timely post–lots of zucchini this year! Thanks!
Laura T. says
I just got through shredding a bunch of large zucchini today! Still have more to go! Freezing a lot for future zucchini bread, cookies, etc.!