There aren’t a lot of things you can count on happening year after year, but every summer, one thing is certain: our garden produces more zucchini then we know what to do with. Sure, we can make Stanley Tucci’s favorite zucchini pasta with the first harvest, but after a certain point, we become desperate for ways to eat our summer squash that aren’t just sauteed or roasted zucchini.
Thankfully, we’re not the only ones who face the zucchini debacle every year, and there are plenty of recipes to rely on when you suddenly find yourself with more zucchini then you know what to do with. The great thing about zucchini is that you can add it to almost everything, and no one will be the wiser. From meatballs to chocolate cake, zucchini is the chameleon of the vegetable world, and these recipes prove it.
That means these are also great recipes for people who don’t like zucchini that much. There are other elements to the recipes — a crisp crust, or plenty of cheese, or a lemony glaze — that make them more than just zucchini, and that’s why these are the recipes to reach for when you’re starting to wane in enthusiasm at each harvest or farmer’s market haul.
Read on for some zucchini recipes so delicious, you might actually want to plant some more next year.
Zucchini Scarpaccia
Crispy, cheesy, and flavorful, this zucchini scarpaccia is anything but bland. Serve with your favorite Italian white wine, and pretend you’re on vacation.
Get the recipe from Hungry Happens.
Hibachi Shrimp and steak
Hibachi at home without restaurant prices?! Sign us up!
Get the recipe from Chef Elizabeth Reese
Zucchini Frittata
If you want a brunch dish that will please picky eaters and impress guests, look no further than this exquisite, delicate, and flavor-packed zucchini frittata.
Get the recipe from Cooking in the Keys.
Lemon Zucchini Heaven Bread
Lemon juice and zest add an incredible citrus zing to this quick bread loaf, and the sticky-sweet glaze on top further transforms your unwanted zucchini into something special.
Get the recipe from Optimal Recipes.
Turkey Zucchini Meatballs
Lighten up your meatballs in two ways: swap out red meat or sausage for ground turkey, then boost the fiber content with grated zucchini. The grated zucchini also helps keep the lean turkey moist.
Get the recipe from The Natural Nurturer.
Zucchini Mock Apple Crisp
Have you ever heard of mock apple pie? It’s an apple pie…made with zucchini. Once the zucchini is cooked down with sugar and spices, it’s honestly hard to tell the difference. But this zucchini mock apple crisp recipe is even easier to make than a pie, since you don’t have to worry about rolling out perfect rounds of pie dough. Pro tip? This recipe is perfect for that zucchini you forgot about in the garden that’s now the size of a rugby player’s thigh.
Get the recipe from Down Redbud Drive.
Zucchini Fritters
Fritters are one of our favorite ways to use up any veggie. A crispy patty, loaded with zucchini and cheese and served with sour cream and chives, is as good as it gets, whether you’re making a vegetarian dinner, something for brunch, or a snack to enjoy with wine when friends come over.
Get the recipe from DIY Recipes.
Snickerdoodle Zucchini Bread
Zucchini bread is already one of the best ways to hide this abundant summer veg, but you’ll be even more smitten with this snickerdoodle zucchini bread recipe, which has a cinnamon sugar swirl.
Get the recipe from A Couple Cooks.
Zucchini Spice Muffins With Molasses Glaze
Molasses glaze wipes all thoughts of zucchini out of your head at the first bite of these muffins.
Get the recipe from Feasting on Fruit.
Zucchini and Ricotta Stuffed Chicken Breasts
Shredded zucchini disappears into a creamy ricotta and Parmesan mixture that stuffs chicken in this recipe. It’s perfect for date nights and dinner parties, but it’s honestly simple enough for weeknight cooking, too.
Get the recipe from Beyond the Chicken Coop.
Baked Cheesy Zucchini Tots
These tasty tots will totally transform your unwanted zucchini into something delicious. They’re cheesy, crisp on the outside, and creamy within — try making them in the air-fryer if you want them super crisp!
Get the recipe from The Wimpy Vegetarian.
Carrot and Zucchini Olive Oil Cake
Get a double dose of vegetables without being any the wiser thanks to this olive oil loaf cake. It’s gluten-free, too!
Get the recipe from Healthy Nibbles and Bits.
Cheesy Spinach and Zucchini Muffins
Lots of cheese (mozzarella, Parm, feta) will make you forget there’s zucchini in these muffins. They’re a delicious savory breakfast, but make for a tasty cocktail snack, too.
Get the recipe from Bibby’s Kitchen.
Chocolate Zucchini Bread
This chocolatey slice? It’s bread. It has zucchini in it, so it can’t possibly be cake, even with all that frosting… right?
Get the recipe from The View From Great Island.
Banana Blast Zucchini Smoothie Bowl
Once it’s blended with frozen bananas, you won’t even be able to taste the zucchini in this smoothie. And your kids won’t be able to tell, either!
Get the recipe from Nutrition Stripped.
Coconut Zucchini Soup
If you’re not fond of the texture of zucchini but planted some anyway and now have pounds of it to get through, then this creamy puréed soup will solve all your woes.
Get the recipe from Nutrition Stripped.
Keto Zucchini Breakfast Brownies
You might hate zucchini, but you probably don’t hate brownies…even when they’re secretly loaded with the stuff. But zucchini helps keep these keto brownies moist, and adds fiber to boot.
Get the recipe from The Big Man’s World.
Zucchini-Crusted Grilled Cheese
With it sandwiching stretchy, melted cheese, zucchini stands in masterfully for flour in this low-carb bread.
Get the recipe from Kirbie Cravings.
Zucchini Banana Nutella Swirl Loaf
Make two loaves of this sweet and moist quick bread — one for you, one for a friend. The zucchini and banana keep it from drying out, and the chocolatey Nutella flavor is to die for.
Get the recipe from Sweet Phi.
Zucchini Noodle Carbonara
Low-carb carbonara sounds impossible, but it’s the real deal thanks to zucchini noodles. When paired with the rich carbonara sauce, zucchini noodles help lighten up this classic dish.
Get the recipe from SheKnows.
Zucchini Recipes
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