zucchini

/zuˈkini/

/zuˈkini/

Other forms: zucchinis

Zucchini is a long, green squash, a vegetable that's especially common in backyard gardens during the summer months. In England, it's more common to call zucchinis "courgettes."

Officially, zucchini (like all squash) is considered a fruit, a large berry that grows as part of a flower. However, cooks generally treat it as a vegetable, preparing it in savory recipes ranging from baked zucchini with cheese and tomato sauce to pasta-like zucchini "noodles" to sauteed zucchini with butter and garlic. You can also shred zucchini and bake it into sweet breads and cakes. The word comes from the Italian zucca, "gourd or squash."

Definitions of zucchini

1. noun

   marrow squash plant whose fruit are eaten when small
   synonyms: courgette

   type of:

   marrow, marrow squash, vegetable marrow

   any of various squash plants grown for their elongated fruit with smooth dark green skin and whitish flesh
2. noun

   small cucumber-shaped vegetable marrow; typically dark green
   synonyms: courgette

   type of:

   summer squash

   any of various fruits of the gourd family that mature during the summer; eaten while immature and before seeds and rind harden