Zucchini (green) and squash (yellow) at a farmers' market in Mississippi
Is Zucchini a Squash?
Types of Squash
Species of squash include hubbard squash, buttercup squash, butternut squash, pumpkins, acorn squash, summer squash and zucchini. Summer squash, like zucchinis, are harvested while they are still soft and small, while winter squashes are harvested when they are fully grown, at the end of summer, and cured to harden the skin.
Types of Zucchini
Some varieties of zucchini include the golden zucchni, which has a milder taste, and the globe or round zucchini, which is 3 inches in diameter and designed for stuffing.
Nutrition
100g of the average raw summer squash includes 16 calories, 3.4g of carbohydrates, 1.1g of fiber, 0.2g of fat, 1.2g of protein, 2.2g of sugars,, and 95g of water. It has 12% of the daily recommended value of Riboflavin, 17% of Vitamin B6 and 20% of Vitamin C.
Zucchini also has 16 calories, 3.4g of carbohydrates, 1.2g of protein, and 1.1g of fiber, but it has only 1.7g of sugar and 0g of fat. It also has 28% of the recommended daily intake of vitamin C, 11% of Vitamin B6, and 8% of Riboflavin.
Squash contains 10% of the recommended daily amount of dietary fiber, which can lower cholesterol, aid digestion, maintain low blood pressure and help prevent colon cancer. Winter squashes, such as pumpkins, contain high levels of vitamin A which can help improve lung health. The folate in winter squash also helps to protect against birth defects, while summer squash, like zucchini, promote cardiovascular health.
Zucchini in particular has a lot of vitamin C, which is a powerful antioxidant and an anti-inflammatory agent. The potassium in zucchini also helps to lower blood pressure, and its manganese helps the body produce collagen, which allows for healthy skin.
Culinary Uses
Although often cooked as a vegetable, squash are technically fruits. They can be served fresh, such as in salads, or stuffed and cooked. Uses vary wildly depending on the type of squash, from savory bakes to pies.
Zucchinis are usually served cooked, and can be steamed, boiled, grilled, baked, barbequed or fried. They can be used to bake bread, and zucchini flowers are a deep fried delicacy.
References
FAQs
Besides the color, the main difference between the two vegetables is the shape. Zucchini is straight, while yellow squash has a fat bottom and tapers towards the neck. Yellow squash can also have more seeds in its flesh. Flavor-wise, both are mild-tasting with a hint of vegetable sweetness.
Does squash and zucchini have the same nutritional value? ›
Not only are summer squash low in calories, but they also have little to no cholesterol, fat, and sodium—all nutrients we should be limiting. On the flip side, both zucchini and yellow squash boast vitamins A and C, potassium, plus fiber.
What should you not plant next to zucchini? ›
Potatoes can also spread diseases such as late blight, which can also affect zucchinis. Cucumbers and pumpkins should not be planted next to zucchinis as they belong to the same family (Cucurbitaceae) and therefore attract similar pests and diseases.
What happens if you cross pollinate squash and zucchini? ›
Further, if cross-pollination happens you would see the result of the crossing not on the fruit this year but would see it in the seed produced inside the fruit. The seed would contain the genes of both parents. That seed if planted and grown would produce fruit with characteristics of both parents.
Can I use squash instead of zucchini? ›
Thankfully, zucchini and yellow squash are mostly interchangeable. However, we usually go for zucchini in most dishes, like in sweet breads and cakes and pasta dishes.
Are cucumbers a squash? ›
Is cucumber a squash? In botanical terms, the cucumber is classified as a pepo, a type of botanical berry with a hard outer rind and no internal divisions. Cucumbers and squash are members of the Cucurbitaceae plant family, commonly called "cucurbits".
Is it okay to eat squash every day? ›
While the high beta-carotene content in squash can provide many benefits, studies also suggest that consuming too much of this compound can increase the risk of lung cancer. In addition, some types of prepared squash include high amounts of added sugar.
Does yellow squash raise blood sugar? ›
Its low glycemic index can help prevent rapid spikes in blood sugar levels, making it a suitable option for maintaining stable glucose levels. Moreover, the dietary fiber content in squash aids in slowing down the absorption of sugar, promoting better blood sugar control and overall metabolic health.
Is yellow squash healthier, raw or cooked? ›
Raw yellow squash is the way to go if you are looking for a high source of vitamin C and water content. On the other hand, if you want to increase the bioavailability of nutrients and the availability of beta-carotene, cooking your yellow squash is the better option.
What plant keeps squash bugs away? ›
Companion planting is also worth a try, using repellent plants that deter the squash bug. They include catnip, tansy, radishes, nasturtiums, marigolds, bee balm and mint. The second line of defense is Mechanical and Physical Strategies.
Zucchini and tomatoes can be grown as close neighbors and will make satisfactory companion plants. Both vegetables thrive in the same environmental conditions, so a garden plot that is ideal for one plant is therefore ideal for the other. They both need a location with full sun and benefit from nutrient-rich soil.
Do zucchini plants like eggshells? ›
So what do Eggshells do? By placing them below tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, and squash, the slow release of calcium will ensure that they do not suffer from blossom end rot otherwise known as (BER). Blossom End Rot occurs when the plant is lacking calcium. Eggshells also help to deter slugs.
Can cucumber pollinate zucchini? ›
A common misconception is that squash, melons, and cucumbers will cross-pollinate. This is not true; the female flowers of each can be fertilized only by pollen from that same species. Varieties within each species, however, will cross-pollinate.
Can cucumbers and squash be planted together? ›
Squash and cucumbers can't cross pollinate. This is because the genetic structure of the two plants is so different; there is no chance, short of laboratory intervention, that they can interbreed. Yes, the plants may look somewhat similar, but they are not all that similar really.
How far apart should squash and zucchini be planted? ›
Allow about two or three feet of space on either side of the row for the vines to spread. After emergence, thin seedlings to stand eight to 12 inches apart. A “hill” of three or four seeds sown close together is another way to plant squash in the garden. Allow five to six feet between hills.
Why do they call zucchini squash? ›
The word zucchini is derived from Italian and means, literally, small gourds (derived from zucca - gourd). Often, the word zucchini in English is misappropriated to the point of becoming synonymous with summer squash.
Can you eat yellow squash raw? ›
Squash has many nutritional benefits and is typically low in starch. "Zucchini, yellow squash, patty pan — any thin-skinned squash— can be eaten raw," Chef Francine Marz, Dean of Culinary & Hospitality at The Culinary Institute of the South, says.
Is eggplant a squash? ›
Eggplant, on the other hand, is classified as a Nightshade, and its scientific name is Solanum melongena. Aubergine and guinea squash are other common names for eggplant. While eggplant is occasionally called a squash, it has no relation to zucchini or the rest of the squash family.
Is zucchini squash genetically modified? ›
Don't Let GMOs Sneak into Your Grocery Basket
While the majority of GMO crops are commodity crops such as corn, cotton, soy, and canola, zucchini is one of only two fresh vegetables that has been genetically modified (potatoes are the other).
