Zucchini: Nutritional Benefits, Selection & Facts - A Comprehensive Guide

The zucchini is a long, dark green fruit that measures from 8 to 10 inches. A summer squash, zucchinis have a thinner and more tender skin than winter squashes. They also feature a mild taste.

Benefits

• Zucchinis make a nutritious addition to most diets. The fruit is low in calories, featuring 16 calories for each 1-cup serving of raw zucchini. Zucchinis also contain around 280 mg of potassium, 284 IU of vitamin A and 25 mcg of folate per serving.

Selection

• When choosing a zucchini, pick a firm squash that's free of blemishes and bruises. Zucchinis with hard skin and a dull appearance are likely to be overripe.

Storage

• Consume zucchinis as soon as possible. They typically last up to five days when refrigerated in a plastic bag or container.

Fun Fact

• Italian immigrants brought the zucchini squash to the United States in the 1920s, according to the University of Illinois Extension. The squash caught on and became popular in the 1930s.