Zucchini, Latin name Cucurbita pepo, is a part of the cucumber and melon family. Archaeologists have traced the zucchini and other summer and winter squashes back to their Central and South American origins as far back 7,000 and 5,500 BCE. Christopher Columbus brought zucchini from the Americas and introduced it to people living in the Mediterranean and Africa. In French, it is called courgette, a term also used for yellow squash. Our word for the squash is derived from the Italian word zucchino, which means "small squash."
Zucchini facts
The zucchini is a green, slightly curved, cylindrically shaped summer squash, which is slightly smaller at the top than the bottom. It’s shape look a lot like a lightly ridged cucumber. Zucchini’s skin color varies from medium to deep green, with paler flecks and stripes, some of which are yellow. It grows rapidly and is typically harvested at common market size of 4 to 8 inches long 2 to 7 days after flowering. If grown past their prime, they can grow quite large, although the flavor becomes bitter and the seeds become tough. The world’s longest recorded zucchini was grown in New York and measured 69 inches long!
When purchasing zucchini, it is desirable if the skin is vibrantly colored and without blemishes. It can be deliciously prepared in a number of ways, including grilling, baking, sautéing, steaming, and deep-frying. Zucchini has a high water content of about 95%, which makes it low in calories.
Nutrition
Nutrition information (1 cup sliced, steamed) calories: 29, protein: 1 g, carbohydrates: 7g, fat: 0 g, cholesterol: 0 mg, sodium: 5 mg, fiber: 3 g