Best Courgette Recipes

A member of the cucurbitaceae family (making it a fruit), courgette is closely related to watermelons, squash and pumpkins. Courgette (also known as zucchini) can be roasted, fried, baked and even spiralised to replace spaghetti for those wanting to partake in a low-carb or calorie smart diet. In addition to its versatility, courgette also has a wide range of health benefits, including being rich in vitamin A, C, calcium and zinc and an antioxidant (meaning it protects your body and helps prevent certain health issues). In addition to this, courgettes may also aid digestion, slow down ageing and support a healthy heart.

In terms of growing your own fruit and veg, courgettes are relatively low maintenance and easy to grow in the UK climate. Fun fact! The longest courgette on record measured in at a whopping 8 ft 3.3 inches long, making it much taller than the average human!

• Baking courgette: If you’re using courgette in recipes such as casseroles, bakes or gratins, you can combine the other ingredients with the courgette and bake until the mixture is cooked and bubbling with heat.
• Steamed courgette: Cut into rounds, steam until just tender and season to taste. Be careful to catch them when they are just al dente, as over-steaming can lead to a lack of flavour.
• Raw courgette: You can eat courgette raw! This popular ingredient is particularly tasty in salads and dips.

Our Senior Recipe Development Manager, Mimi Morley, suggests that it's best not to boil courgettes, as they become mushy and lose their flavour. So, why not experiment with different methods of cooking courgette, as well as adding seasonings, herbs and spices to find your favourite - and utilise this in your next courgette recipe.