May's Tag Game ~ El Calabacín ~ Zucchini Community Forums - p1

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Lalaloula

Mon Apr 30, 2012 5:52 am

Forum Host

Calabacín (Zucchini)

~ Zucchini (also called courgette) is classified as a summer squash vegetable that belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family of plants. Though called summer squash, these vegetables are usually available year-round in most markets. There are three types of summer squash varieties, of which zucchini belongs to the same group that includes crookneck squash and pattypan squash (often called scallop squash). They are relatives of melons, cucumbers and winter squash (which includes pumpkins). But summer squash are typically more delicate in flavor than most of its fellow Cucurbitaceae.

Squash is one of the foods that Columbus brought back to Spain from North America, which Spanish and Portuguese explorers then later introduced to many parts of the world. The variety of squash known as zucchini was developed primarily in Italy. But it is one of the easiest foods to cultivate in temperate climates, so commercial production of squash now takes place in many regions worldwide.

Today, zucchini is used extensively in Spanish cuisine and is the featured ingredient in the well-known vegetable dish called Pisto, and it is also sautéed in olive oil with egg, onions and tortillas for a popular Spanish dish called Tortilla de Calabacín.

Cooking with Zucchini

~ Zucchini has a refreshing and delicate flavor that makes it a wonderful vegetable to serve raw as a healthy snack, or slicing or chopping the zucchini for adding to a chilled tossed salad.

But because zucchini is a vegetable, it’s more often served cooked using a variety of cooking methods including steaming, boiling, grilling, stuffing, baking, broiling, barbecuing, microwaving, frying and sautéing. It can also be chopped or shredded and added to baked casseroles, soufflés, breads, cakes, and cookies.

~ Regardless of its variety, all summer squash—including zucchini—are edible, including the flesh, seeds and skin. (In fact, a good portion of the antioxidants in zucchini are found in the seeds and skin.) But of all cooking methods, steaming is perhaps the healthiest choice over some other cooking methods (especially microwaving and boiling) for retaining maximum nutritional benefit.

Zucchini is fragile, however (as are most summer squash varieties) and cannot be stored for long periods time unless frozen.

Health Benefits of Zucchini

Zucchini is a low-calorie vegetable that has long been recognized as an anti-oxidant rich food and a great source for carotenoids. Recent studies have shown that antioxidants found in summer squash are especially helpful in protecting the eyes against age-related macular degeneration and cataracts.

~ Zucchini is also a good source of dietary fiber and many B-complex vitamins (including folate, B6, B1, B2, B3 and Choline) and the minerals zinc and magnesium, which all play important roles in the regulation of healthy blood sugar and are key factors in maintaining a healthy diet for most diabetes patients.

Zucchini Around The World

Britain – a 2005 poll of 2000 people revealed courgette to be the 10th favorite culinary vegetable.

Bulgaria – zucchini is usually fried and then served with a yogurt, garlic and dill dip, though another popular dish is oven-baked zucchini covered with a mixture of eggs, yogurt, flour and dill.

Egypt – zucchini is usually cooked with tomato sauce, garlic and onions.

Greece – zucchini is usually fried or boiled with other vegetables (usually chili peppers or eggplant), and it’s a popular appetizer or main dish especially during days of fasting. In some parts of Greece, the flowers of the zucchini plant are stuffed with feta or mizithra cheese and rice and herbs and then deep-fried or oven-baked with tomato sauce.

France – called courgette in France, zucchini is the main ingredient in the well-known French recipe known as ratatouille.

Italy – zucchini is often served in a variety of ways but is usually served breaded and pan-fried, and some restaurants in Rome specialize in deep-frying the flowers to produce a dish called fiori di zucca.

the Levant region (eastern Mediterranean and northeast Africa) – zucchini is usually stuffed with minced meat, rice, herbs and spice and stead, or added to stews or stuffed with meat and eaten with yogurt.

Mexico – the flower (known as flor de calabaza) is preferred over the fruit and is often cooked in soups or used as a filling for quesadillas.

Spain – popular zucchini dishes include pisto and tortilla de calabacin.

Turkey – zucchini is the main ingredient in the popular dish called nucver or “zucchini pancakes” made from shredded zucchini, flour, eggs and lightly fried in olive oil and usually eaten with yogurt.

…………….....................……………Tag Game

~ We have selected an array of Spanish (and other) recipes from the site’s database that include zucchini as an ingredient. You are free to tag one of the recipes we found, or you are free to pick any other recipe in the database that includes zucchini. And there is no limit; you can tag as many recipes as you can make before the end of the month.

Featured Spanish Recipes ~ Zucchini

~ Pisto #369688 by breezermom

A 5-Star gem of a traditional Spanish recipe, this potpourri of fresh vegetables, including zucchini, will be the perfect side dish for your Spanish themed dinner.

~ Paella With Chicken, Zucchini and Rosemary #369711 by FolkDiva

This 5-Star version of the traditional Spanish dish includes the addition of quick roasted zucchini seasoned with plenty of Spanish herbs.

~ Roasted Gazpacho #37001 by Scarlett516

This 5-star version of the classic Spanish chilled soup features tons of fresh zucchini that is oven-roasted for a unique flavor touch.

Breads and Snacks

My Best Zucchini Bread #21171
Zucchini Nut Muffins #68082
Chocolate Zucchini Bread #220
Zucchini Bites #314290
Zucchini Pancakes #16702
Oven Fried Zucchini Chips #117874

Main Dishes

Drop Dead Delicious Stuffed Zucchini #32080
Zucchini Lasagna (Lasagne) - Low Carb #749
Zucchini - Aubergine Bulgur #474278
Zucchini and Hake in Puff Pastry #215914
Zucchini Parmesan #96276
Vegetable Paella #51168

Side Dishes

Zarangollo Murciano (Stewed Zucchini With Onion) #367503
Wonderful Parmesan Zucchini Strips #99086
Pisto (Spanish Vegetable Stir-Fry) #315405
White Beans With Vegetables #342516
Sauteed Zucchini #25513
Zucchini They Will Eat! #151956

Sopas / Soups

Zucchini Basil Soup #363764
Award Winning Zucchini Soup #179985
Zucchini Cheese Soup (A.k.a. Vache Qui Rit Soup) #246497
Creamy Zucchini Soup #33084
Red Lentil, Zucchini & Couscous Soup #115423
Chicken and Zucchini Soup #263211

Ensaladas / Salads

Cucumber-Zucchini Salad #172804
Zucchini Salad #107765
Zucchini Marinata (Marinated Zucchini Salad) #158292
Tomato and Zucchini Salad #242618
Picnic Corn-Zucchini Salad #204800
Zucchini Slaw #324216

Dulce / Desserts and Sweets

Zucchini Chocolate Cake #18693
Zucchini Cobbler #99481
Chocolate Chip Zucchini Cookies #61402
Zucchini Mock Apple Pie #69270
Frosted Zucchini Brownies #135856
Zucchini Bars #125803

Last edited by Lalaloula on Mon Jan 14, 2013 12:48 pm, edited 1 time in total

Lalaloula

Mon Apr 30, 2012 5:55 am

Forum Host

Participants' Zucchini Recipes

awalde's Zucchini Recipes
Linguine With Three Colors Vegetables and Pesto Sauce #443143
Zucchini Pie of Chania – Kolokithoboureko Chaniotico #462227
Light Eggplant / Zucchini Parmigiana #469200
Zucchini Rolls #437624
Roasted Vegetables Plate With Cilantro Parsley Dressing #460105

Elmotoo's Zucchini Recipes
Portuguese Sweet Rice / Arroz Doce #326988
Yemista Me Ryzi #170921
Roasted Ratatouille With Lentils #303228
"gilded" Zucchini #457965
Fried Zucchini With Garlic Yogurt

gemini08's Zucchini Recipes
Moorish Zucchini Salad - Ensalada De Calabacines a La Morisco #478582

NorthwestGal’s Zucchini Recipes
Chicken Zucchini Ole #461091
Herb Roasted Vegetables #376387
Angel Hair Pasta With Roasted Garlic #352378
Garden Spaghetti #352177

Sharon123's Zucchini Recipes
Sharon123's 88 Zucchini Recipes

Lalaloula

Mon Apr 30, 2012 5:56 am

Forum Host

The Tags:

Awalde:

Quick BBQ Zucchini by Peter J

Garden Saute #109559 by Dancer^

Elmotoo:

Penne With Squash #116060 by jovigirl

Farmer's Market Corn Toss #466597 by GingerlyJ

Moorish Zucchini Salad - Ensalada De Calabacines a La Morisco by gemini08

New Delhi Style Summer Squash #229998 by MrsMM

gemini08

Zucchini Basil Soup #464764 by Softcolours

Lalaloula:

Dilled Zucchini by evelyn/athens

Mama smurf:

Italian Sausage Stuffed Zucchini#396799 by SB6#798181

Stuffed Zucchini - Betty Crocker#689064 by Diana #2#186855

Garden Saute#109559 by Dancer^#1533 and

Paella With Chicken, Zucchini and Rosemary#369711 by FolkDiva#899120

NorthwestGal

Oven Fried Zucchini Chips #117874 by Dancer^

Sharon123

Garden Spaghetti #352177 by NorthwestGal

Last edited by Lalaloula on Sat Jun 02, 2012 9:14 am, edited 2 times in total

Elmotoo

Mon Apr 30, 2012 7:30 am

Forum Host

Well! Turns out I have recipes with zucchini!

Chicken Vegetable Chowdah #326988
Yemista Me Ryzi #170921
Roasted Ratatouille With Lentils #303228
"gilded" Zucchini #457965
Fried Zucchini With Garlic Yogurt #185490

xo Bethie

awalde

Wed May 02, 2012 8:23 am

Food.com Groupie

Hi girls!

I will prepare: Peter J's Quick BBQ Zucchini #201058

I love BBQ zucchimi!

awalde

Wed May 02, 2012 8:33 am

Food.com Groupie

Zucchini were always one of my favorites vegetables and in addtion they are very easy to grow here.
In may of coarse I buy some, for zucchini from the garden I will have to wait unil July.

Here my small collection of zucchini recipes.

Linguine With Three Colors Vegetables and Pesto Sauce #443143
Zucchini Pie of Chania – Kolokithoboureko Chaniotico #462227
Light Eggplant / Zucchini Parmigiana #469200
Zucchini Rolls #437624
Roasted Vegetables Plate With Cilantro Parsley Dressing #460105

:wave.

Elmotoo

Wed May 02, 2012 9:56 am

Forum Host

yooohoooo...Loula darlinnnnggg..... I'd love to tag

Penne With Squash #116060 by jovigirl
Farmer's Market Corn Toss #466597 by GingerlyJ
New Delhi Style Summer Squash #229998 by MrsMM

xo Bethie

OMG, i have my entire month's meals planned out with the 2 dozen or so recipes I've tagged between yesterday & today. That doesn't include experiments for RSC.

Does wonders for the appetite! And most are unreviewed!!