How to prepare courgettes


How to prepare courgettes
Preparing courgettes is fairly simple. You just need to remember 3 things: 1) the bigger they are, the less good they will be, 2) they never need to be peeled, and 3) the central part with the seeds is pretty tasteless.
294 K 3.6/5 (104 reviews)
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Last modified on: June 8th 2011
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For 2 pieces, you will need:

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Times for this recipe
Preparation: 30 min.
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Step by step recipe


Stage 1 - ⌛ 1 min.
How to prepare courgettes : Stage 1
Scrub the courgettes in water with a scourer to get them smooth.

Stage 2 - ⌛ 1 min.
How to prepare courgettes : Stage 2
Cut off the ends.

Stage 3 - ⌛ 5 min.
How to prepare courgettes : Stage 3
If you want rounds, you're almost done: slice them with a knife or, better still, using a mandolin.

Stage 4 - ⌛ 2 min.
How to prepare courgettes : Stage 4
If you want diced courgettes, cut them in 4 lengthways.

Stage 5 - ⌛ 3 min.
How to prepare courgettes : Stage 5
With a knife, cut off the central part containing the seeds.

Stage 6
How to prepare courgettes : Stage 6
You should only keep the part with the skin, without seeds.

Stage 7 - ⌛ 5 min.
How to prepare courgettes : Stage 7
Cut this lengthways...

Stage 8 - ⌛ 10 min.
How to prepare courgettes : Stage 8
...and finally across to produce small triangles.

Your courgette is now ready to use.

Stage 9 - ⌛ 2 min.
How to prepare courgettes : Stage 9
If you are only using a mandolin, it is better to cut the courgette into chunks first, then cut these on the mandolin...

Stage 10
How to prepare courgettes : Stage 10
...turning them every time you get the the seeds in the centre.

Stage 11
How to prepare courgettes : Stage 11
This will produce small sticks, the length of the chunks, which can then be cut into dice if you wish.
Remarks
The idea that "the bigger a courgette is, the less flavour it has" is not easy to put over, especially as amateur gardeners usually think quite the opposite: "Ooh, a big courgette - yummy!" But unfortunately the big ones (on the way to becoming marrows) are only good for stuffing.

The Pourcel brothers (chef twins) only use courgettes that have seeds for making a puree which is then sieved.
Keeping: Several days in the fridge, in a closed jar.
Source: Home made.
Nutritional information
Proteins (gr)Carbohydrates (gr)Fats (gr)Energy value (in k-calories)Energy value (in k-joules)
Whole recipe0020 RDI=2 %140 RDI=7 %570 RDI: 7 %
Per 100 g003 RDI=0 %30 RDI=1 %110 RDI: 1 %
Per piece007 RDI=1 %70 RDI=3 %280 RDI: 3 %
The % figures are calculated in relation to the Recommended Dietary Intake , or RDI of 2,000 k-calories (or 8,400 k-joules) per day for a woman
How much will it cost?
  • For 2 pieces : 1.50 €
  • Per piece : 0.75 €

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Note: Be careful, these prices are only an estimate, you can consult the table of prices by ingredients used for this estimate.
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The 1 comment already posted on this recipe
  • Thanks for sharing, j.h. The removing of the seeds seems so obvious and yet, I never thought to use your method.
    Posted by Louise june 8th 2011 at 12:14 n° 1

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