Today’s Spotlight is on Zucchini (and your neighbors)!

There are a lot of odd holidays but this one has got to be one of my favorites. Sneak Some Zucchini Onto Your Neighbor’s Porch Day is celebrated on August 8th every year. The holiday encourages people to sneak their extra zucchinis onto the porches of unsuspecting community members. The day celebrates the bounty of the summer’s zucchini harvest by demonstrating generosity, desperation, and cunning.

The holiday was designated by Pennsylvanian Tom Roy because zucchini vines produce hundreds of tiny squash that can quickly grow to enormous sizes if not picked.

 

History of Zucchini

The scientific name for zucchini is Cucurbita pepo. Zucchini is also known as courgette, a variety of summer squash in the gourd family (Cucurbitaceae). Zucchini is a non-cold-tolerant, non-desiccating annual vegetable. It is a species of the cultivar called the “Pepo Pumpkin” (Cucurbita pepo).

The word “zucchini” comes from the Italian word “zucchino”, which translates as “tiny squash” or “undeveloped marrow”. It’s believed that Italian immigrants brought zucchini to the U.S. in the 1920s, and the name stuck. Zucchini is also called “courgette” in some countries, like England, and “baby marrow” in others.

Zucchini were originally developed in Italy in the 19th century near Milan. The name “zucchini” comes from the Italian word “zucca” which means “squash”. The other name for zucchini, “courgette”, comes from the French word for this vegetable.

The word “squash” comes from the Native American word “askutasquash”, which translates to “eaten raw or uncooked”. The word has become popularized in the English language to refer to any type of squash, including zucchini.

Zucchini are native to Central America. European explorers brought the plant back to Europe in the 1800s where they began to cultivate it. Italian immigrants introduced zucchini to the United States in the 1920s.

Nutritionally, zucchini provide few calories but some folate, Vitamin A, and potassium.

Here are some fun facts about zucchini squash:

• Zucchini are low in sodium, cholesterol-free, and contain no saturated fats
• Zucchini are rich in vitamin C and manganese
• The peel of zucchini is a good source of dietary fiber and may help reduce constipation.
• Zucchini are 93% water and only 23 calories
• Dark-colored zucchini contains the greatest amount of nutrients.
• Zucchini can reach nearly 3.3 feet in length but are usually harvested when still immature at about 6 to 10 inches.
• Zucchini are a popular variety of summer squash that can be consumed raw or cooked
• April 25th is National Zucchini Bread Day
• Zucchini are fruits because they flower in early stages of growth
• Zucchini grows best in temperate climates.
• Zucchini are native to Central America and Mexico
• Zucchini are rich in vitamin B6, which may help with regulating blood glucose and playing a protective role against diabetes

Here is a Zucchini recipe for you to try:

Ingredients:

• 2 medium sized zucchini, cut into 1/2 inch thick rounds
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 3/4 tsp sea salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper

 

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 450°F
2. In a large bowl toss the zucchini with olive oil salt, pepper and garlic powder.
3. Arrange on a baking sheet, top with grated parmesan cheese and bake on center rack for 5 minutes, next broil the zucchini for 2-3 minutes or until cheese is golden brown.
4. Serve as a side or as a low-carb base.

 

According to Statista, the average American consumes about 140 pounds of fresh vegetables and 113 pounds of processed vegetables per year. In 2022, the per capita consumption of fresh vegetables in the U.S. was 137.43 pounds. We don’t see the data where Zucchini is broken out of those numbers.

Here are some varieties of zucchini squash:

• Cocozelle: A tasty variety that’s straight and easy to grow
• Grey zucchini: A firm variety with a mild flavor and tender texture
• Italian zucchini: A large, thick variety with a uniform dark green color
• Baby round zucchini: Also known as “Ronde de Nice”, this variety is prolific and easy to grow
• Yellow zucchini: Also called “golden zucchini”, this variety doesn’t taper at the neck and is slightly sweeter than green zucchini
• Green zucchini: The most common variety, which is usually deep green in color
• Striped or speckled varieties: Other colored zucchinis that are available
• Round zucchini: Also called “pattypan squash”
• Black Beauty Zucchini: Another variety
• Caserta: Another variety
• Crookneck Squash: Another variety

August 8 is National Sneak Some Zucchini onto Your Neighbor’s Porch Day. To celebrate it, you simply wait until the dead of night and quietly creep up to your neighbors’ front doors, leaving plenty of zucchini for them to enjoy. Depending on how much they like Zucchini, you can optionally leave a note.