When you start to think about vegetables, there are so many options out there, and it feels as though the possibilities could be endless. However, there are not as many as you think. At least not when it comes to the end of the alphabet anyway. So, what vegetables start with the letter Z?
Alas, there is but one lonely veggie sitting in that column of the list, and it is, as you may have already guessed, a Zucchini.
While there are not very many vegetables to discuss that start with the letter Z, we can give you plenty of facts on the wonderful Zucchini, with a shocking surprise at the end.
1. Zucchini
When you were looking up this question, you were probably thinking, “what vegetable other than Zucchini starts with a Z?” hoping to find more answers and other options. Unfortunately, we don’t have others to offer.
We do, however, have information about the zucchini and recipes it will work well in.
Zucchini Nutrition
A Zucchini is from the summer squash family and has a high source of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. It is also loaded with tons of essential vitamins and nutrients your body needs to thrive.
Nutritional information per zucchini:
- 31.4 of Calories
- 6.6g of Carbohydrates
- 2.4g of Protein
- 0.4g of Fat
- 2.2g of Fiber
- 33.3mg Vitamin C (that is 56% of your daily value)
- 0.4mg of Vitamin B6 ( that is 21% of your daily value)
- 0.3 mg of Manganese (that is 17% of your daily value)
- 514 mg of Potassium (that is 15% of your daily value)
Health Benefits of Zucchini
The Zucchini is a popular vegetable used in diets for many health-conscious eaters or those trying to lose weight. That is because aside from the above nutritional ingredients it is made up of, it also holds a lot of water and fiber, making it ideal for feeling up and filling up with less food.
This veggie also contains a good portion of the vitamin C you need daily to support your immune system and help aid in disease prevention.
The anti-inflammatory properties are associated with heart health and naturally lowering cholesterol levels.
How To Eat Zucchini
Ripe Zucchinis have a mild taste that is a tiny bit sweet and a little bitter. The initial bite is packed full of crunch and has a spongy inside texture. There isn’t much of a taste that comes along directly with a zucchini slice; however, mixed with the right herbs and dressings, this little vegetable can be quite delectable.
Many people enjoy their zucchini chopped up in a green garden salade or seared on the grill with some dressing, amongst other vegetables.
You can make yourself friend zucchini or bake it in the over flavoring it with spices to give it a personal touch.
Check out these delicious zucchini recipes.
2. Zoodles
Zoodles or zucchini noodles are another way to make up zucchini in order to turn it into a meal all on its own. This is a desired taste, and some people dislike the soggy noodles when comparing them to the real deal. However, others feel this vegetable goes very well with sauces and is a healthy alternative to pasta.
3. Zucchini Fritters
Zucchini fritters are a healthier version of other fried foods but still deep-fried in a doughy cake and topped with your favorite ingredients.
4. Zucchini Fries
Zucchini fries are another popular zucchini version of an unhealthy treat. These veggies are cut into strips and then fried in oils or baked to make delicious vegetable-inspired french fries.
5. Zucchini Bread
Zucchini bread may not sound like a very flavorful food, but it definitely is delicious. You may easily mistake zucchini bread for a unique banana nut bread or raisin bread because of the combinations of ingredients mixed with different flavors.
6. Zingiber Officinale
Okay, Zingiber is not actually a vegetable, but a plant nonetheless, and we wanted to offer more to you than just zucchini.
Zingiber Officinale, or as you probably know it, ginger, is an edible plant commonly used for its medicinal benefits and a zing to meals and desserts with its hot and spicy flavor.
The entire plant is safe to consume, with the root being the most commonly used.
Ginger root is often used to control stomach issues such as nausea and indigestion and other symptoms like colic, pain, colds, and coughs.
7. Zostera Marina
One last filler plant for the list is the Zostera marina plant, also known and the Eel plant. Although not commonly used today, the leaves of these plants were used as Native American Indian feast foods, and the stems were often chewed for the juices inside.
The root of the plant was sweet and one of the more popular items frozen by Native American Indians for their winter food supply.
The Shocking Surprise
Zucchini is technically not even a vegetable. (Gasp). The zucchini is definitely recognized as a veggie in the culinary world, and most people would never have guessed that it wasn’t. However, this green, bland, hard skin vegetable is botanically, scientifically, and technically speaking a fruit.
In the world of fruits and vegetables, fruits have seeds, while vegetables do not. Which in this case, a zucchini definitely has seeds which makes it a fruit.
The reason no one is privy to this fruit vegetable debacle is that in the culinary sense (as well as much of the population), fruits are seen as sweet treats, while veggies are usually a mild taste used in main courses.
Zucchini is far from being as sweet and tasty as an apple, so people are skeptical about the fruit’s status.
Conclusion
While it’s a bit upsetting, we could only offer you one half-vegetable; on this alphabet list; we hope you have learned plenty about the Zucchini plant and all of its benefits and uses. Hopefully, someday a new plant will be created, and it will come with a spiffy name that starts with a Z and will give us a full-blown vegetable to add to our list, Zaltini, Zipple, Zeen?
