13 Zesty Zucchini Recipes

Think zucchini is boring? Think again, because it's time to get excited about this hard, oblong vegetable. There are so many things that one can do with this versatile and ubiquitous summer squash.

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You can use them in salsa, bake them into bread, or even make them into ribbons to mimic pasta. Toss them into salads, blend them into a cool, refreshing soup, or work them into your favorite main — whatever you do, they're sure to add an interesting texture and flavor to your dish. And, they're good for you, too — they're a good source of fiber and vitamins A and C.

How do you pick the perfect zucchini? Well, beyond the usual advice to pick ones that are defect-free, we must say that size does matter — zucchini are at their tastiest and most tender when less than eight inches long, according to Barbara Ann Kipfer, author of The Culinarian: A Kitchen Desk Reference. So, bigger isn't always better.

Now, what are you waiting for? Don't miss out! Because truly good zucchini only comes around once a year.

Will Budiaman is the Recipe Editor at The Daily Meal. Follow him on Twitter @WillBudiaman.