37 Zucchini Recipes to Squash Your Stash
Despite everything this lineup of verdant, satisfying-looking zucchini recipes proves, the summer squash has a sad, watery reputation. The “watery” bit is really a fact—zucchinis are 94% H2O—but the “sad” part, we’re here to tell you, is straight-up gossip. Just because the humble zucchini is inexpensive and abundant, and there are probably at least a few rolling of them around in your fridge at any time from June through September (and beyond!), it doesn’t mean it’s not fit for kings. Kings, we say! Whether you’re a slow-roasted zucchini person or prone to grill, zoodle, or stew into oblivion, our best zucchini recipes all show that, sometimes, the greatest things in life can be so simple.
Photograph by Travis Rainey, Prop Styling by Marc Williams, Food Styling by Mieko Takahashi1/37Actually-Crispy Zucchini Fries With Herby Yogurt Dip
The zucchini recipe of your childhood dreams: fried zucchini, which doesn’t need a deep fryer or air fryer to get supremely crispy and golden brown. The secret(s)? A skillet, vegetable oil, medium-high heat, and panko breadcrumbs.
Photograph by Yudi Ela, food styling by Susie Theodorou, prop styling by Aneta Florczyk2/37Saucy Grilled Summer Squash With Chickpeas
Zucchini is actually a part of the summer squash family. In other words, all zucchini are summer squash, but summer squash defines a larger group of veggies that includes yellow squash, pattypan, and more. The point is: Feel free to sub in whatever summer squash looks great at Sunday’s farmers market.
Photo by Emma Fishman, food styling by D'Mytrek Brown4/37Ginger-Cardamom Zucchini Bread
Zucchini bread is for when you need a hit of carbohydrates and want to get your veggies in, too—but also, make it dessert. The squash’s high moisture content gives this loaf cake its soft crumb.
Photo by Emma Fishman, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, prop styling by Sophie Strangio5/37Curry Vegetables
This Caribbean-style curry is made with a mixture of zucchini, carrots, cauliflower, eggplant, okra, and mushrooms. For something similar but with a little added protein, try this Tofu and Summer Vegetable Curry.
Photo by Emma Fishman, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, Prop Styling by Sophie Strangio6/37Fried Zucchini and Butternut Squash Torta
Let’s just describe this one: toasted hero rolls spread with a shallot-y ricotta mixture and a single layer each of fresh tomato slices, fried butternut squash and zucchini, salsa macha, and greens. (You clicked, didn’t you?)
Photograph by Graydon Herriott, food styling by Sue Li, prop styling by Aneta Florczyk.7/37Kuku Kadoo
To make this Persian egg and zucchini dish a full meal, serve each slice of kuku with a dollop of thick, tart yogurt and warm flatbread.
Photograph by Jessica Pettway, Food Styling by Judy Kim, Prop Styling by Stephanie Yeh8/37Crispy Coconutty Zucchini Fritters
When we hear zucchini boats, we think about fritters, not scooped-and-stuffed roasted zucchini shells. That’s because crispy, crunchy, salty vegetable fritters are the best vehicles to carry savory yogurt sauce into our mouths.
Photograph by Joyce Lee, food styling by Brandon Gray, prop styling by Chloe Kirk9/37Summer Squash and Arugula Pesto Pizza
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Shuai Wang, Prop Styling by Megan Forbes and Christina Hussey10/37Grilled Squash With Nuoc Cham Chimichurri
Hit “save recipe” if you need a smoky, savory, grilled vegetable side dish to make all summer long. The cook time is minimal, to boot.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Thu Buser, Prop Styling by Stephanie De Luca12/37Double-Chocolate Zucchini Bread
Instead of squeezing and straining grated zucchini for zucchini bread, just add cocoa! Cocoa powder is a whiz at soaking up excess moisture. By the way, the chocolate chips are not optional; they melt into the crumb so beautifully.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Sean Dooley, Prop Styling by Marina Bevilacqua13/37Lemony Zucchini With Sour Cream and Dill
Photograph by Isa Zapata. Food Styling by Cyd McDowell. Prop Styling by Paige Hicks14/37Spicy Skillet Lasagna With Ricotta and Spinach
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Pearl Jones, Prop Styling by Dayna Seman15/37Zucchini Fritters
The soy and rice vinegar dipping sauce gives these zucchini fritters a Japanese vibe. For a Greek-inspired version, try these Zucchini Keftedes With Feta and Dill.
Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Susie Theodorou, prop styling by Amy Wilson16/37Grilled Summer Squash and Red Onion With Feta
18/37Pounded Flank Steak with Zucchini Salsa
This side dish and main, two-in-one approach feels refreshing: You’ll pound the steak and then grill it before scattering a relish of raw zucchini cubes tossed in vinaigrette to top. Your total time will be under 30 minutes.
Photo by Chelsie Craig, food styling by Claire Saffitz19/37Slow-Cooked Summer Squash with Lemon and Thyme
Photo by Emma Fishman, Food Styling by Sue Li20/37Zucchini-Lentil Fritters With Lemony Yogurt
If you haven’t noticed yet, we love a crispy fritter. In this Bengali-inspired version, soaked and blended red lentils make up the batter, which is spiked with turmeric and chili powder.
Photo by Chelsie Craig, food styling by Frances Boswell21/37Hummus With Spiced Summer Squash and Lamb
In this zucchini recipe, homemade chickpea hummus acts as a bed for spiced lamb and seared summer squash. And speaking of dips from the Middle East, this squash baba ghanoush proves the method applies to more than eggplant.
Alex Lau24/37Shaved Squash Salad with Tomatoes and Ricotta Salata
The mixture of shapes and colors brought on by the summer squash ribbons, cherry tomatoes, shaved ricotta salata, and torn herbs make this dish feel like a Kaminsky painting. For another shaved zucchini salad recipe with a different vibe, Try this Corn and Zucchini Salad With Feta.
Photo by Alex Lau25/37Ultimate Zoodles
You don’t have to have a Spiralizer or some other fancy kitchen gadget to prepare these zucchini noodles; simply cut the zucchini and cucumber into thin matchsticks.
Photo by Heidi's Bridge27/37Caramelized Zucchini Flatbread
Make sure you have two large, rimmed sheet pans if you want to make this cocktail party appetizer: one to roast the veggies and one for the dough.
Photo by Chelsie Craig, food styling by Molly Baz, prop styling by Emily Eisen29/37Marinated Zucchini With Hazelnuts and Ricotta
Zucchini is anything but boring when bathed in a kicky vinaigrette. Want some bell peppers in this mix? Try these marinated summer veggies.
Alex Lau30/37Summer Squash Frittata With Herbs
A fresh herb salad of basil, chives, parsley, and tarragon tops this brunch-appropriate zucchini recipe. Add some zucchini muffins to the table and you’ve got a theme going.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne, Prop Styling by Graylen Gatewood32/37Ratatouille
33/37Summer Squash Sauté
One of our favorite ways to serve summer squash: sautéed zucchini, pattypan, crookneck, et cetera, julienned with a mandoline slicer so that it’s noodle-like, and hit with plenty of salty Parmesan cheese.
37/37Zucchini Dill Pickles
What would a list of zucchini recipes be without pickles? This easy recipe is a classic—you’ll find the usual dill sprigs, mustard seeds, and garlic—but reinvented (i.e., no cucumbers).
