26 Fresh Zucchini Recipes To Make With Your Farmers' Market Haul

This summer veggie can take you from savory to sweet.

By

Patricia S York

Updated on July 8, 2024

Southern Living Zucchini Boats on a platter to serve, topped with slaw — Photo:
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Fresh zucchini is one of those core summertime staples that we load up on at the farmers' market each week. We love this vegetable for its versatility. Zucchini can be sliced, diced, or spiraled; it can be raw, roasted, or grilled, served warm or cold. It can be prepared as a simple side, baked into a casserole, or act as the star component of a main dish.

When cooked well, zucchini develops a wonderful caramelized flavor and golden-brown color while also maintaining a slight crunch. While we incorporate zucchini into our favorite dishes for its flavor alone, the vegetable stands among eggplant and squash as a great substitute for meat or carb-heavy foods. Use zucchini as a low-carb noodle option in your lasagna, or trade out those greasy French fries for zucchini fries. Zucchini will be your new secret ingredient to accommodate dietary restrictions, from gluten-free to vegan. It also takes well to grilling, making this summer vegetable the ideal easy side dish for your barbecue feast.

01 of 26

Zucchini Lasagna

Zucchini Lasagna — Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Tina Stamos

Swap heavy pasta noodles out for healthier latticed zucchini strips.

02 of 26

Summer Vegetable Tart

Southern Living Summer Vegetable Tart on a plate to serve — Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

If you like tomato pie, you'll love this summer veggie tart version. Generously spread pimento cheese on a store-bought pie crust then layer it with sliced squash, zucchini, and corn for an easy summer meal.

03 of 26

Baked Zucchini Fries

Southern Living Baked Zucchini Fries on a platter to serve with marinara sauce — Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey

With these crisp-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside zucchini fries, you'll never miss a greasy potato fry.

04 of 26

Zucchini Cake

Southern Living Zucchini Cake sliced on plates to serve — Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

No dry, crumbly cakes when zucchini is called for! The shredded vegetable adds plenty of moisture to the mixture.

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Zucchini Casserole

Southern Living Zucchini Casserole in the dish to serve — Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Trade yellow squash for its green counterpart in this golden, cheesy casserole. Buttery cracker crumbles and canned fried onions make for an extra crunchy topping.

06 of 26

Zesty Corn-And-Squash Salad

Southern Living Zesty Corn-and-Squash Salad — Greg Dupree; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely; Food Stylist: Melissa Gray

This no-cook dish is the easy and healthy make-ahead summer side that your backyard shindig is missing. The colorful veggies make even the simplest salad a beautiful addition to any meal.

07 of 26

Zucchini Fritters

zucchini fritters on a platter with dipping sauce — Photographer: Alison Miksch; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Christina Brockman

These fritters are a great way to use up extra zucchini. They fry up super crispy, and are served with a tangy dipping sauce made from a variety of condiments probably already hanging out in your fridge door.

08 of 26

Grilled Corn Salad

Southern Living Grilled Corn Salad in a bowl to serve — Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

Corn might be the star of the show in this salad, but tender zucchini adds delicious crunch to this summer side.

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Chocolate Zucchini Bread

Southern Living Chocolate Zucchini Bread whole before slicing on a cutting board — Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Everything's better with chocolate, including our classic zucchini bread recipe. Super rich and delicious, no one will know that this quick bread is loaded with veggies.

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Sautéed Squash and Zucchini

Southern Living Sauteed Squash and Zucchini in a serving bowl — Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen

A simple sautée is one of our favorite ways to prepare summertime zucchini. This side dish will be a staple in your dinner rotation.

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Pulled Pork-Stuffed Zucchini Boats

Southern Living Pulled Pork Stuffed Zucchini Boats on a platter to serve topped with slaw — Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Filled with pulled pork and topped with a tangy cabbage-and-onion slaw, these zucchini boats have all the flavor of a barbecue sandwich without the bun.

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Charred Zucchini-And-Halloumi Kebabs With Lemon-Tahini Sauce

Charred Zucchini-and-Halloumi Kebabs with Lemon-Tahini Sauce — Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster

Serve these vegetarian-friendly kebabs alongside your grilled meats for a healthy and flavorful side or main. Zucchini is paired with halloumi, a firm goat cheese, which can stand up to the heat of the grill.

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Air-Fryer Zucchini Chips

Air Fryer Zucchini Chips — Photography and Styling: Caitlin Bensel

If you're looking for healthy snacks that don't come in a bag, grab your Air Fryer—even the kids will love these crispy veggie chips.

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Lemon Chicken Pasta

Southern Living Lemon Chicken Pasta in a bowl ready to serve — Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

Sliced zucchini, lemon zest and juice, and fresh herbs keep this summer pasta light and fresh while crispy breaded chicken turns it into a full and hardy meal.

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Summer Squash Casserole

Southern Living Summer Squash Casserole in the dish ready to serve — Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Celebrate all of summers squash bounty by using both traditional yellow squash and zucchini in this family-favorite casserole.

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Zucchini Bread

Southern Living Zucchini Bread sliced on a platter to serve — Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

Banana bread might be great year-round, but when you have a surplus of zucchini on hand in the summer, this is the quick-bread you'll want to be baking.

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Sheet Pan Veggie Supreme Pizza

Southern Living Sheet Pan Veggie Supreme Pizza cut and ready to serve — Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster

Zucchini is far from the only veggie on this loaded pizza, but tender ribbons of this squash are a perfect pair with melty cheese and sweet summer corn.

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Chocolate-Zucchini Cake

chocolate-zucchini cake on a plate with a fork — PHOTO: ANTONIS ACHILLEOS; PROP STYLING: KAY E. CLARKE; FOOD STYLING: TORIE COX

This decadent chocolate cake is packed full of zucchini, making it a sly way to convince your kids to eat their vegetables.

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Zucchini, Squash, and Corn Casserole

Zucchini, Squash, and Corn Casserole — Hector Sanchez

Cheddar and Asiago cheeses complement all the fresh summer veggies in this fan-favorite casserole.

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Baked Ziti with Summer Vegetables

Baked Ziti with Summer Vegetables — Alison Miksch

There's no better weeknight dinner than a nice big pasta bake and when zucchini is abundant in the summer, it's the perfect addition.

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Zucchini Muffins

Southern Living Zucchini Muffins on a plate to serve — Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Rebecca Cummins

Proof zucchini recipes don't have to be all savory. This one takes the delicately sweet flavor of zucchini bread, and turns it into perfectly moist, grab-and-go muffins.

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Ultimate Veggie Kebabs With Smoked Sausage

Southern Living Ultimate Veggie Kebabs With Smoked Sausage on a platter to serve — Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster

Enjoy eating your veggies with these kebabs loaded with zucchini and finished with a vibrant herb sauce for an extra pop of flavor.

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Fried Zucchini Straws

Fried Zucchini Straws — Hector Sanchez

Instead of a bag of frozen French fries, try this healthier fried side on burger night.

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Reunion Pea Casserole

Reunion Pea Casserole — Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Sliced zucchini and yellow squash get a cheesy crust to top this veggie-packed casserole.

25 of 26

Zucchini Pie

Zucchini Pie in a pie plate with a segment removed — Will Dickey

When you think of summer pies you probably think of cherry, berry, or peach, but zucchini also makes a delicious pie, albeit a savory one best served for lunch or dinner.

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Zucchini-Onion Frittata

Zucchini-Onion Frittata — Southern Living

This easy frittata will be a stunning addition to your breakfast or brunch spread. Garnish with chopped plum tomatoes for an extra burst of color.

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