Here are 15 of our best ever courgette recipes
Katy Salter
Courgette season is well and truly here. High summer means an abundance of courgettes in our veg patches and allotments, or piled high on supermarket shelves. Don’t be phased by a courgette glut – look at it as a delicious opportunity. This versatile veggie’s pleasant, mild flavour and silky texture makes it an easy addition to all sorts of dishes.
Courgettes are typically in season from June to October. If you’re harvesting them regularly during this time, you might end up with a glut on your hands. Never fear – there’s dozens of dishes to make with your zucchini haul.
Try classic courgette fritters, pasta dishes and crisp courgette fries. Work them into savoury bakes like our courgette galette and frittata. They’re also a successful addition to sweet cakes and bakes – that mildly grassy flavour pairs beautifully with lemon, white chocolate or cream cheese frosting.
Selecting our 15 best courgette recipes was tricky (there’s dozens to choose from). We’ve gone for a mix of modern classics like courgette fritters, crisp courgette fries and courgette pasta, plus some unexpected treats like jammy slow-braised courgettes and a spectacular courgette and white chocolate layer cake. Take a look through our selection below. You’re bound to find some delicious new ways to tackle that courgette glut…
Rows of thinly sliced courgettes and Greek manouri cheese top golden, buttery pastry in this easy but impressive galette recipe. Drizzle with plenty of the chilli-honey dressing before serving.
Courgette, feta and mint dumplings
This impressive recipe makes a great starter or light main for a summer dinner party. Fill homemade pasta dough with sautéed courgettes, feta and mint to make the dumplings, then serve with crispy leeks and plenty of browned butter.
Carrots aren’t the only veggie to perk up everyday bakes. Sneak one of your five-a-day into these easy courgette muffins. Perfect for lunchboxes, picnics and summer days out.
Courgettes get the smoky treatment in this delicious dip recipe. Baba ganoush is traditionally made with aubergines, but courgettes – cooked over an open flame until blackened – make a great alternative to serve with barbecued lamb or toasted pittas and veggies.
Meet your new favourite summer side dish. These moreish courgette fries have a crisp, golden batter just made for dunking into a pot of chilli-spiked mayo.
Courgettes and ricotta on toast
Sometimes simple is best. Sauté courgette slices over a low heat with a little chilli and garlic to coax out their natural sweetness. Slow-cooked until jammy, they are the star of this summery toast dish, which can be dinner or lunch.
Bored of your usual veg curry recipe? Try this winner from Bake Off star Chetna Makan. Light and fluffy courgette kofta nestle in a creamy, gently-spiced tomato gravy. The versatile kofta also work well as canapés or snacks.
Stacks of crisp courgette fritters have to be one of the best things about a courgette glut, and watching them fry in shimmering oil is just a little bit mesmerising. These ones are laced with warming spices like turmeric and garam masala. Serve the spicy fritters with a cooling yogurt dip.
Courgette and buttermilk salad
Toss courgette ribbons with a creamy buttermilk dressing before scattering basil and crumbled goat’s cheese on top to serve. A speedy, elegant lunch for one.
Greek courgette and feta frittata
Thinly sliced courgettes are a brilliant addition to frittatas and tortillas. This one sings with the flavours of a Greek summer: think salty feta, ripe tomatoes and grassy dill.
This showstopper bake has four layers of light courgette and lemon sponge alternating with lemon curd and a white chocolate frosting. Perfect for summer birthdays (see if your guests can guess the secret veggie ingredient).
Mild, slightly sweet courgette is a good partner for delicate crab meat as neither overpowers the other. Tumble with tagliatelle, plus plenty of olive oil and lemon for an easy summer dinner for two.
Here’s a way with courgettes you may not have tried – slowly braising them in wine until they are falling apart. Cooking them like this adds a whole new dimension. The tender, juicy courgettes are the perfect foil for meaty sausages and creamy polenta.
Courgette and blue cheese pizza
Fans of white pizza (pizza bianco) will love this summery version. The base is topped with big dollops of mozzarella, pungent blue cheese and slinky courgette ribbons.
Tempura courgettes
Tempura is a must-order at Japanese restaurants, and now you can try making it at home. Mild, sweet courgettes are an ideal vegetable to get the rich tempura-batter treatment. Serve with a tangy ponzu dipping sauce, close your eyes and pretend you’re in Tokyo.
Courgette glut still going strong? Find all our courgette recipes here.
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