13 Best Zucchini Substitutes That You Can Try

You must be looking for the best zucchini substitutes for many reasons. I am sure zucchini must be on the top of your list if you are craving a perfectly healthy summer squash. Commonly assumed to be a vegetable, zucchini is a fruit harvested while tender and young.

So what can you do if you run out of zucchini? Not to worry! There are a bunch of substitutes for zucchini that you can rely upon. Some of the best zucchini substitutes are eggplant, cucumber, yellow squash, pattypan, and pumpkin.

Did you know zucchini was initially rejected as an edible food by the French? (The French always have their ways!) It was only after the popularity of ratatouille that zucchini became accepted. Although, it was quite popular in Europe even before that. 

There exists a record of the largest grown zucchini by a farmer – it is so tall that even Michael Jordan was beneath it. (Gotta visit Giovanni Scozzofavin sometime). To add to its uniqueness, zucchini is the only fruit that begins with ‘Z.’ Let us explore this wonderful, healthy squash and deal with its best substitutes.

Quick Peek: Zucchini

Let us explore zucchini for a while before we get into the substitutes. (Just in case, if you ever have to parade your knowledge about what you are cooking) *chuckles*

What Is Zucchini?

Zucchini is a young fruit that belongs to the Cucurbitaceae plant. It also goes by the names courgette and baby marrow. It is an elongated fruit that comes in shades of green (mostly) and yellow. The word zucchini means small gourd. Zucchini is best harvested young and tender (Bigger is not the better here!). Also, flowers are equally edible, like zucchini.

Describing Zucchini: Flavor and Texture

Raw zucchini has a mild, sweet flavor. The taste is more intensified when cooked. However, overripe zucchini gives you that bitter tang you will find unpleasant. Regarding the texture, zucchini is soft on the inside and crunchy on the outside.

It has shiny skin with a tender structure. You can also preserve zucchini if you want. Here are some of the tried and tested ways you can preserve zucchini.

Uses of Zucchini

With its mild flavor, raw zucchini can be easily considered a nutritious, tasty, and healthy addition to your salads, soups, pasta, or noodles. Also, sautéing zucchini in olive oil will give you that mouthwatering crispy flavor.

Mash or puree a couple of zucchinis and add them to batter; muffins, cakes, or pancakes. This sweet little buddy isn’t going to dominate any of your ingredients. Some popular zucchini recipes include grilled ratatouille tartines, vegan pasta salad, vegetable noodle soup, and crispy zucchini casserole.

Zucchini On The Health Radar | Looking Through The Wellness Telescope

Zucchini is loaded with many vital minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants. It aids in proper, healthy digestion and in reducing blood sugar levels. It is good for your eyes as well as your heart. If you want to tone your body, zucchini should be in your diet.

Why Should We Substitute Zucchini?

Whatever be the benefits, believe me, there are zucchini haters around us. Many dislike the bland flavor of zucchini. In some unfortunate cases, raw zucchini can cause stomach cramps. It can also lead to digestive distress.

Zucchini might cause nausea and severe skin itching for those who are allergic. Aside from these, if you crave zucchini and don’t have the time to visit the store, you need substitutes for it. Let us now talk about the best substitutes for zucchini.

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13 Best Zucchini Substitutes

Now that you know everything you need to know about zucchini let us discuss the thirteen best substitutes for zucchini.

1. Eggplant

Eggplant is a commonly found purple-colored vegetable (technically a berry). Eggplant is the best and closest alternative for zucchini, considering the sweet flavor, which is very similar to zucchini. Eggplant has a soft, firm, and fluffy texture that is instantly tender when cooked.

Eggplant has more flavor than zucchini and releases less juice when heated. This makes it easier to use as a substitute for zucchini in lasagnas or noodles.

2. Cucumber

The cucumber is the most famous edible vegetable from the gourd family. It is high in water content with a sweet, mild flavor. It is crispy and crunchy when eaten raw and quite refreshing as well. (Cool as a cucumber!)

Cucumber should be your top choice if you want to substitute for zucchini in salads. In fact, cucumber is juicier than zucchini, so you surely won’t regret the substitution. Cucumbers are also great for summer salads.

3. Yellow Squash

Yellow squash is a variety of summer squashes harvested in summer. A member of the Cucurbitaceae family-like zucchini, yellow squash is often assumed to be the same as zucchini.

The major difference between the two is in their shape and color. Zucchini is green with an elongated shape, while yellow squash is yellow colored with a heavy bottom and a tapered top. Yellow squash has thin, glossy skin with a creamy texture. Yellow squash has a slightly sweet flavor like zucchini, making it a good substitute. 

The yellow squash is also a great addition in summer salads and casseroles.

4. Patty Pan

Pattypan is another variety of summer squash. It is round and small in size with a scalloped edge. It is enjoyed best with the soft and thin skin. It tastes similar to zucchini; as a matter of fact, it tastes sweeter than zucchini.

Pattypan has a creamy texture akin to zucchini, making it a good substitute for zucchini. It comes in white, green and yellow colors. You don’t have to bother about peeling the patty pan. Directly add them to your soups or salads as a substitute for zucchini.

5. Pumpkin

Pumpkin, a type of winter squash, is around orange-colored fruit used as a vegetable. It has tough skin but sweet, gooey flesh inside. It is, in fact, a powerhouse of nutrients. Coming to its flavor, pumpkin has a sweet, earthy flavor which makes it a good alternative for zucchini in salads, soups, or pies! You should avoid cooking pumpkin for a long duration as it can become extremely soft and moist.

6. Turnip

Turnip is a creamy-colored root vegetable with an attractive purple top. The turnip has a sweet flavor, a slight peppery tang, and a crispy texture. Their leaves are called turnip greens and have a mild peppery flavor.

Turnip can substitute for zucchini in stir-fries, lasagnas, or other side dishes by not disappointing you. Some of the varieties of turnips for you are scarlet queen turnips, white lady turnips, Manchester market turnips, and Tokyo crosses turnips.

7. Carrot

Crunchy, yummy, healthy – name all the adjectives you want, and carrots will grab them all. Carrots are root vegetables with a sweet flavor and a crunchy texture. These are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

Carrot differs from zucchini in the bright orange color it comes with. Just like squashes, carrots might take some time to get cooked. Other than that, carrots are a wonderful substitute for zucchini. 

8. Apple

For baking recipes such as muffins, cakes, or bread, apples can be considered a worthy option as an alternative to zucchini. Since they come with a citrusy flavor, go for yellow apples, which are devoid of the same while replacing zucchini.

With the right seasonings, apples are a good substitution for zucchini. Consumption of apples can help you support weight loss, boost gut health, fight asthma, and protect your brain.

9. Celery

Celery is a marshland plant that is a healthy, low-calorie vegetable. It is closely related to carrots and parsnips. Every part of celery is edible and can be used for cooking. It has a mildly sweet flavor and a crunchy texture.

Celery can be used to substitute for zucchini due to its flavor and nutritional values. It can be used instead of zucchini in soups, salads, and stews. Celery helps in fighting inflammation and boosts digestion. 

10. Beetroot

Beetroot refers to the taproot portion of the beet plant. It is a highly nutritious vegetable whose roots and leaves are used as medicine. It is full of antioxidants that help the body fight against heart diseases. 

Beetroot has an earthy, bitter flavor and a crunchy texture that becomes soft when cooked. Beetroot’s flavor and texture profile make it a considerable substitute for zucchini. It is best to use beetroot in place of zucchini in patties.

11. Parsley

Parsley is a leafy herb used for garnishing and enhancing flavor in dishes. It is a prominent ingredient in central, eastern, and southern European cuisines. It is a snack and added to soups, stews, and casserole dishes.

Parsley has a herbal, bitter flavor with subtle hints of spiciness. Parsley is a versatile substitute for zucchini due to its flavor and health benefits. It doesn’t have a dominant flavor and easily upgrades the overall flavor profile of dishes. 

12. Green Pepper

Green pepper is a variety of bell peppers that is unripe. It is bell-shaped and has a mild spicy flavor and subtle bitterness. Its distinctive flavor, aroma, and crunchy texture make it a versatile ingredient in spaghetti, tacos, meatloaf, burgers, frittata, fajitas, and stews.

Green pepper is a worthy alternative for zucchini in oven-baked dishes, salads, and raw dishes. It is extremely good for gut health and is a rich source of vital nutrients.

13. Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are tuberous root vegetables belonging to the morning glory family of plants. These are staple food in many countries. They are replete with potassium, vitamins, minerals, fiber, and other vital nutrients. They have a sweet flavor and a creamy texture.

Sweet potatoes are considerable zucchini substitutes in vegan and vegetarian dishes. They need less cooking time than zucchini. But they might not be a favorable zucchini replacement if you follow a low-carb diet.

Short Recap Of Best Zucchini Substitutes

That must have been an exhaustive read on the best zucchini substitutes, right? Let me make it easy for you to remember the details with the help of some points.

Best Zucchini Substitutes In Terms Of Flavor and Texture-

1. Eggplant
2. Cucumber
3. Yellow Squash
4. Patty Pan

How To Use Zucchini Substitutes In A Recipe

Zucchini Substitutes

The time of summer always calls for a healthy summer squash. How to do that if you are out of zucchini? Using substitutes, of course! Some of the best zucchini substitutes are eggplant, cucumber, yellow squash, pattypan, and pumpkin.

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Ingredients

  

• Eggplant
• Cucumber
• Yellow Squash
• Patty Pan
• Pumpkin
• Turnip
• Carrot
• Apple
• Celery
• Beetroot
• Parsley
• Green Pepper
• Sweet Potatoes

Instructions

 

• Go through the substitutes and see which one seems fit for the recipe.
• Collect your ingredients and use your preferred substitute.
• Use the substitute in the required amount and proceed to make the dish according to the recipe.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Final Musings

That was all about zucchini and its best substitutes. Explore these substitutes as per the demands of your recipe, and I am sure you won’t regret using them. Please let me know the results and see you soon with another article!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)