Follow along as we show you How to Cut Zucchini five different ways! Whether it’s slices, quarters, sticks, sheets (ribbons), or noodles, you are going to be amazed at how simple it is! Perfect for enjoying your favorite late-summer zucchini in any recipe now (like Zucchini Spaghetti) or freeze for later.
How To Easily Cut Zucchini
Table of Contents
Towards the end of every summer we have a ton of ripe zucchini popping out of our garden, which means that we have to get creative with all the different ways to eat this delicious vegetable that has a very mild taste. We love serving this summer squash with a main protein, like grilled steaks or cast iron chicken thighs. The perfect simple side dish!
What You Will Need
- medium-sized zucchini – grab as many as you need for the recipe you are making.
- sharp kitchen knife – depending on how you are cutting your zucchini, make sure it is large enough to cut the way you want.
- cutting board – again, make sure it is large enough to accomplish the type of cutting you want to do (we love this one).
- spiralizer – if you plan to make noodles you will need a standing spiralizer or one that attaches to a stand mixer, if you have one.
Do You Peel Zucchini Before Cutting
You do not need to peel your zucchini before cutting it. If you prefer that your zucchini be peeled before cutting and cooking, you definitely can peel it but you do not NEED to.
How To Slice Zucchini
First, rinse your vegetables and pat them dry. Then cut approximately 1/4 inch off the top and bottom and discard those ends.
Now start at one end of the zucchini and begin making 1/4 inch slices all the way through and continue this working your way down the vegetable.
How To Quarter Your Zucchini
After your zucchini has been rinsed and dried you can first cut it into slices (as shown above). Then you can cut each slice in half, rotate the halves, and cut in half again resulting in 4 quarters.
How To Cut Zucchini Into Sticks
Begin by cutting approximately 1/4 inch off the top and bottom and discard the ends. Place your clean zucchini on a cutting board and cut widthwise in half so that you have two equal halves.
Now put one of those halves on the cutting board and cut in half, lengthwise this time. Place one of those halves, cut-side down, on the cutting board and cut in half lengthwise again.
Continue this process with the rest of your zucchini. Perfect for making zucchini fries!
How To Cut Zucchini Into Sheets (or Ribbons)
Begin by cutting approximately 1/4 inch off the top and bottom and discard the ends. Then firmly hold your clean zucchini in one hand and a vegetable peeler in the other hand. Place the peeler at one end of the zucchini and pull down to the other end. The first one will basically result in part of the peel coming off, this can be thrown away.
You will continue this process with the rest of the zucchini, resulting in very thinly sliced sheets or ribbons of zucchini.
How To Make Zucchini Into Noodles (or Zoodles)
First, cut the top stem off of a clean zucchini. Then firmly push the bottom of the zucchini into the spikes at the back of a spiralizer and place the 3mm shredder blade at the other end.
Now you can just turn the crank until the entire zucchini has been turned into noodles.
Best Ways To Cook Zucchini
Now that you have your zucchini cut, what is the best way to cook it? There are so many different recipes that use zucchini or ways to cook it by itself as a simple side dish. A few of our favorites are Sautéed Zucchini, Fried Zucchini, Zucchini Pizza Bites, Zucchini Spaghetti, or Savory Winter Vegetable Soup!
How Should I Store Cut Zucchini
After your zucchini is all cut-up you can either cook them right away or you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. When it sits in the fridge you can get some moisture leeching out so, depending on how you are cooking them, you might have to pat them dry. If you are planning on keeping them for longer than 5 days you can place them in a freezer-safe bag or container for 3-4 months. Checkout our simple tutorial on how to freeze zucchini here!
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How to Cut Zucchini
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 cut zucchini 1x
- Category: How-To
- Method: Counter Top
- Cuisine: American
Description
How to Cut Zucchini (5 ways) – learn how to cut zucchini into slices, quarters, sticks, sheets and noodles! So easy!
Ingredients
- 1 medium zucchini, rinsed and dried
Instructions
Before cutting your zucchini one of these five easy ways, make sure you rinse and dry your zucchini.
Slices:
- Cut approx. 1/4 inch off of each end, discard.
- Start at one end of the zucchini and work your way to the other end making 1/4 inch thick cuts all the way through, resulting in circle-shaped slices.
Quarters:
- Follow the directions for cutting zucchini into slices.
- Now, cut each slice in half and then cut those halves in half again, resulting in four quarters.
Sticks:
- Cut approx. 1/4 inch off of each end, discard.
- Cut through the whole zucchini, widthwise, resulting in 2 halves.
- Place one half on the cutting board and cut in half, lengthwise.
- Put the cut-side down on the cutting board and cut in half, lengthwise, again.
- Repeat with the rest of the zucchini.
Sheets:
- Cut approx. 1/4 inch off of each end, discard.
- Pull a vegetable peeler down one side of the zucchini, this will basically remove the peel from that side (discard the peel).
- Continue to run the vegetable peeler, lengthwise, down the zucchini resulting in thin sheets until the entire zucchini is cut.
Noodles:
- Cut approx. 1/4 inch off the top end with the stem, discard.
- Firmly push the other end of your zucchini into the back spikes of a food spiralizer (we love this one!)
- Place the 3mm shredder blade on the other end of the spiralizer and slide so that it is firmly against the cut-end of the zucchini.
- Begin turning the crank so that your zucchini turns into zoodles.
- Continue to turn the crank until the entire zucchini is fully cut.
Notes
- Storage: you can store cut zucchini in an airtight container or Stasher Bag in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: if you want to store zucchini for longer you can simply freeze it, just follow this simple tutorial!
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