Choosing Zucchinis

• As a zucchini matures, the seeds enlarge and the skins toughen, making them unsuitable for stir-frying. For tender zucchini choose fruits that are six to eight inches long. At this stage, the entire fruit can be chopped or sliced and added to stir-fries. Although a mature zucchini can be used, it lacks the characteristic flavor and texture of the young zucchini, and must be pared and have its seeds removed first.

Timing Is Important

• Zucchini cooks quickly in a stir-fry. When adding zucchini to stir-fries with other vegetables, such as carrots or green beans, wait until the other ingredients are almost finished cooking. When stir-fried for a few minutes, zucchini maintains its shape and texture, but if overcooked it quickly turns to mush. Plan to add your zucchini during the last 3 to 5 minutes of stir-frying for the best flavor and texture.

Preparing to Stir-Fry

• Washing is all the preparation zucchini needs before you get down to the business of chopping or slicing. Because the skin is tender and seeds are small, the entire fruit can be used. This versatile veggie can be sliced, diced or cut into strips, depending on the desired appearance in a given recipe. Whichever method you choose, keep the pieces approximately the same size to insure even cooking. Keep in mind that the smaller the pieces are, the quicker they will cook.

It’s All About Flavor

• Zucchini can be stir-fried alone or with yellow summer squash and smothered with tomato sauce and seasoned with fresh garlic and herbs for a colorful and tasty side dish. It can also be added to other vegetables, such as carrots, green beans or cauliflower, and seasoned with Italians herbs and spices, or stir-fried with meats or poultry. The key to flavorful stir-fried zucchini is seasoning the mixture with the herbs and spices of your choice to bring out its natural flavor.