Learn How to Cut Zucchini in 6 different ways with our step-by-step tutorial that ensures the best cooking results. Whether you’re making a tasty vegetable side dish, a vegetarian lasagna, or low-carb zucchini fries, you’re sure to have success!
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Pin RecipeHow to Select and Prepare Zucchini
Always select fresh zucchini for the best flavor and texture. You’re likely to get the freshest zucchini at local farmer’s markets or grown in your own garden! However, if you can only buy zucchini from your grocery store, make sure it is firm and free from blemishes and bruises.
Once you have your zucchini, make sure to wash it under cold water, using your hands to remove any dirt or debris. Then, pat the squash dry with a paper towel or a clean kitchen towel.
Before you start cutting zucchini, I recommend you trim it first.
Here’s how to trim zucchini:
- Use a sharp paring knife to cut away any blemishes or bruises.
- Trim off the top and bottom (the stem and the base). You’ll want to remove about ½-inch on either side.
- Discard the chopped bits.
To Peel or Not to Peel?
Peeling the skin of the zucchini is really just a matter of personal preference. The skin is soft and edible, has minimal flavor, and adds healthy fiber and great texture to many dishes. Therefore, I personally prefer to leave the skin on.
If you do decide to peel your zucchini as a preparatory step to cutting it, follow these simple steps:
- Hold the trimmed zucchini firmly with one hand, and remove the skin with a vegetable peeler with the other hand.
- Rotate the zucchini as you peel to ensure you remove all the skin.
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How to Cut Zucchini (6 Ways)
Now that you’ve selected the best zucchini, washed, and trimmed the produce, it’s time to start cutting! Choosing which method to cut your zucchini will depend largely on what dish you plan to make with the zucchini.
Here are the 6 most popular ways to cut zucchini:
1. Zucchini Rounds
Zucchini rounds are great for making grilled vegetable skewers or layering in casseroles. I also like to use them to make delicious fried zucchini chips or sauté in oil and spices for a simple side dish.
The thickness of your zucchini rounds will vary based on their use. For instance, you will want thicker zucchini rounds when making grilled vegetable kebabs. Meanwhile, thinner rounds are better for sautéing.
How to Cut Zucchini Rounds:
- Use a sharp knife to cut the zucchini crosswise. Start from one end, and slice the rounds to your desired thickness.
2. Zucchini Half Moons
Zucchini half moons are great for a pan-fried vegetable side dish or a vegetable salad.
How to Cut Zucchini Half Moons:
- Slice the trimmed zucchini lengthwise down the middle.
- Lay the halved zucchini sections next to each other, placing the flat side on the cutting board.
- Cut the zucchini halves crosswise as you would when cutting regular rounds. Slice to the thickness of your preference.
3. Zucchini Spears
Zucchini spears are the perfect shape for making long zucchini fries as a low-carb alternative to potato fries.
How to Cut Zucchini Spears:
- Slice the trimmed zucchini in half lengthwise.
- Slice each half lengthwise into three equal pieces.
- Trim the spears to your desired length and width.
4. Diced Zucchini
Diced zucchini (also commonly referred to as chopped or cubed zucchini) is perfect if you need bite-sized pieces of zucchini for your recipes. You’ll find diced zucchini in recipes like soups, stews, or this Sautéed Zucchini and Tomatoes recipe.
How to Cut Diced Zucchini:
- Slice the trimmed zucchini in half lengthwise.
- Cut the halved zucchini into spears.
- Line the spears up next to each other on a cutting board.
- Dice the zucchini spears crosswise to your desired size.
5. Zucchini Matchsticks
Zucchini matchsticks are perfect for stir fry. This type of cutting method is also known as a julienne cut.
How to Cut Zucchini Matchsticks:
- Cut the zucchini in half lengthwise.
- Cut each half into uniform thin strips.
6. Zucchini Ribbons
Thinly sliced zucchini, also known as zucchini sheets or ribbons, are perfect for making zucchini lasagna, zucchini lasagna rolls, or other baked dishes. They’re also great in light salads.
A sharp vegetable peeler, such as a Y-shaped peeler will help create uniform thin slices.
How to Cut Zucchini Ribbons:
- Hold your zucchini firmly in one hand, and use the peeler to shave the top skin layer off the zucchini.
- Continue to shave the zucchini lengthwise to achieve thin slices.
Quick Tip
It will become more difficult to hold the zucchini as you reach the bottom. To avoid any accidents, place the remaining section of the zucchini on a cutting board. Then, use the hard surface as support, and continue to peel any remaining slices.
How to Store + Freeze Cut Zucchini
Freshly cut zucchini is best used right away. However, if needed, you can store zucchini in an airtight container in the fridge for 1-3 days.
I don’t recommend freezing zucchini after cutting as it tends to become mushy. To extend the shelf-life of cut zucchini, cut the vegetable into thick rounds, at least 1/2-inch thick. Then, blanch them in water.
Store the balanced zucchini rounds in the freezer for up to 6 months. They do lose some of their texture and firmness. So, I recommend using frozen zucchini in soups, stews, or baked casseroles where they can become softer.
How to Cut Zucchini (6 Ways)
Equipment
- 1 Sharp knife
- 1 cutting board
Ingredients
- 1 zucchini
Instructions
How to Cut Zucchini Rounds:
- Use a sharp knife to cut the zucchini crosswise. Start from one end, and slice the rounds to your desired thickness.1 zucchini
How to Cut Zucchini Half Moons:
- Slice the trimmed zucchini lengthwise down the middle.
- Lay the halved zucchini sections next to each other, placing the flat side on the cutting board.
- Cut the zucchini halves crosswise as you would when cutting regular rounds. Slice to the thickness of your preference.
How to Cut Zucchini Spears:
- Slice the trimmed zucchini in half lengthwise.
- Slice each half lengthwise into three equal pieces.
- Trim the spears to your desired length and width.
How to Cut Diced Zucchini:
- Slice the trimmed zucchini in half lengthwise.
- Cut the halved zucchini into spears.
- Line the spears up next to each other on a cutting board.
- Dice the zucchini spears crosswise to your desired size.
How to Cut Zucchini Matchsticks:
- Cut the zucchini in half lengthwise.
- Cut each half into uniform thin strips
How to Cut Zucchini Ribbons:
- Hold your zucchini firmly in one hand, and use the peeler to shave the top skin layer off the zucchini.
- Continue to shave the zucchini lengthwise to achieve thin slices.
Nutrition
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