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.
296 K 3.6/5 (104 reviews)
Grade this recipe:
Keywords:
Last modified on: June 8th 2011
For this recipe: Comment Send to a friend Ask me a question Follow Printable Diaporama
For 2 pieces, you will need:

Change these quantities to make:
Change measures:
Times for this recipe
Preparation: 30 min.
When should you start or finish this recipe?
If you start now, at , you will finish around : ?.Change start time
To finish around 7pm, you'll need to have started before: .Change end time

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 €

Change currency:

Note: Be careful, these prices are only an estimate, you can consult the table of prices by ingredients used for this estimate.
This recipe uses (among others)
Other recipes you may also like
French dressing (vinaigrette)
French dressing (vinaigrette)
Here is a very simple recipe, but it could completely transform, maybe even transcend, your salad.
July 7th 20111.07 M4.5 7 min.
Blackcurrant liqueur
Blackcurrant liqueur
The fruit liqueurs (or "creams" in French) are a mix of neutral alcohol in which fruits are macerated, and sugar syrup. They are the basis of the very famous "Kir", mixture of dry white wine and blackcurrant liqueur. This recipe is for blackcurrant, but it can be made with other soft fruits like raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, etc.
August 3rd 2013883 K 44.7 55 min.
Leavened bread
Leavened bread
It might be harder to achieve good results than with traditional yeast bread, but what a flavour! It also keeps better. This recipe is designed for baking bread in a wood-fired oven but, of course, you can use the conventional oven in your kitchen.
May 23th 20171.24 M 23.8 6 hours 30 min.
Koulibiak in pie dish
Koulibiak in pie dish
Koulibiak is a traditional russian recipe from, usually served in a flat puff pastry fish shape. Here is an easier version, in a pie dish.
September 7th 2018389 K3.8 3 hours 20 min.
Courgettes (zuchinis)
Courgettes (zuchinis)
A classic gratin, but with the courgettes cooked separately to prevent too much juice being released during the oven cooking, and so make a dish that is barely moist.
October 13th 2010519 K 13.7 1 hour 20 min.
News list of cooking-ez.com

Sign up to receive the latest recipes (next batch due to be sent on 2026-03-01)

*Your e-mail Your first name or nickname
I am not a leaving thing
Note: We'll never share your e-mail address with anyone else.
Post a comment or question
Posted by:
I am not a leaving thing
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

Follow this recipe (as 8 people already do)
If you are interested in this recipe, you can "follow" it, by entering your email address here. You will then receive a notification immediately each time the recipe is modified or a new comment is added. Please note that you will need to confirm this following.
I am not a leaving thing
Note: We'll never share your e-mail address with anyone else.
Alternatively: you can subscribe to the mailing list of cooling-ez.com , you will receive a e-mail for each new recipe published on the site.

Back to top of page