Now that it is June, it’s summertime, and it is officially zucchini season, and I love zucchini. Zucchini is a great versatile vegetable that you can do almost anything to, and it usually tastes amazing. If you haven’t tried air-fried or grilled zucchini, you are so missing out. Zucchini is a great summer squash, it is extremely versatile and can be baked, fried, shredded, noodled.
Technically zucchini is a summer squash, it has origins all over the world, and likewise, zucchini is cooked differently in all parts of the world, from the Italian who serve it deep-fried, deep flower fritters to Turkey, where they make zucchini pancakes. It can be added to any recipe for a healthier spin on it.
When you are purchasing zucchini, here are some things to be on the lookout for:
- Zucchini should be about 6 inches long, one-two inches wide
- Firm and shiny skin without blemishes, look for an even green color throughout.
- Ideally, the steam should be attached.
- You are looking for a zucchini that is firm and feels rather heavy.
How To Store Zucchini:
Keep in the refrigerator for about 4-5 days, longer than that the zucchini will start to wilt. Zucchini also can be frozen, in order to freeze, slice, then boil for about 2 minutes, then plunge into cold water. Then seal in an airtight container. Frozen zucchini can be kept for about one year.
How To Prepare Zucchini:
Always wash the zucchini before you are going to be preparing it. Cut off both ends of the squash, as both are stems, and not edible. Zucchini is usually not peeled. You can cut it into pieces, chunks, shred or prepare it for stuffing, just hollow out the zucchini and stuff it with all sorts of yummies.
Here are some other Zucchini Recipes,
Air Fryer, Air Fried, Zucchini Parmesan Crisps
Air Fryer, Air Fried, Baked Zucchini
Air Fryer-Healthy Breaded Zucchini Chips–Hamburger Hamlet’s Zucchini Zircles
Kitchen Items Used: (Note: Affiliate links are included in this post)
Instant Pot, Vortex Plus, Air Fryer, Omni
J.A. Henckels 6-Inch High Carbon Stainless Steel Chef’s Kitchen Knife
Stainless Steel Measuring Cups, 5 Piece Set
Hudson Essentials Stainless Steel Measuring Cups Set-6 Piece Stackable Set with Spout
Anchor Glass Measuring Set–This is one of the handiest tools in the Kitchen
OXO Good Grips 12 Inch Stainless-Steel Locking Tongs
Don’t Forget to Pin–
This is a great side dish, and it is KETO friendly, my kids love this, it is a great replacement for pasta, and most grocery stores, sell pre-grated zucchini, you just have to bring it home. Note: In order to get really good air-fried noodles, it is really important to dry the noodles.
- 2 zucchini
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- salt and pepper to taste
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Cut the ends off of the zucchini, and dispose of them.
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Then place (this will depend on the spiral cutter you have) the zucchini on the spiral, and prepare as your machine tells you to.
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Then place the noodles onto a dish towel and blot out as much water as you can get out, you will notice it's more than one would think.
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Leave for about 40 minutes, until most of the water has been removed.
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Then in a small bowl, add the noodles, 2 tablespoons of olive oil and salt and pepper to taste.
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Spread in your air fryer basket or tray.
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Set the timer for 7 minutes at 350 degrees F, (air fryer setting) this will get them nice and tender. If you want them crispy add a few minutes to the time.
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Plate, serve and enjoy!
If your zoodles are frozen, what would the process look like?
My advice would be defrosted and get as much as the water you can out.