Facts about Zucchini

Cucumber, melons and zucchini fall in the same family. Zucchini has numerous health benefits, but in most Indian households it is not eaten much. It has a good amount of folacin which helps to manufacture red blood cells, good amount of fibre to cleanse the inside as well as potassium which is good for our nerves and muscles.

Zucchini is rich in Vitamin A and C which makes it a great antioxidant and most importantly it is not high in calories. I love to have loads of zucchini because it has lots of water and hence fills up my tummy, but calories hardly worth mentioning.

Zucchini is often confused as cucumber. Now the question arises how to identify a zucchini? Zucchini has a dry rough skin, where as cucumber has a smooth wax like skin. Cucumber plants have small yellow flowers where as zucchini has bright big orange flowers which are again a delicacy. You can just dip the zucchini flower in a rice flour or gram flour batter and deep fry it or else you can just use it for garnishing. Be very careful while using the blossom. Check the flower carefully inside if it has small insects and wash it properly and then only use it.

Zucchini grows best in warm, dry climate and in most soils. But Zucchini plants suffer from bacterial wilt and mildew. Mildew can be prevented by watering and good air circulation.

You can introduce zucchini for your kids too. Kids love zucchini salad with thinly sliced onions, minced garlic with toasted sesame seeds and squeeze a little lemon with honey on it.