Our courgettes are supplied daily by a grower in Helensville who is recognised as the best courgette grower in the Auckland region for the past 10 years.

Courgettes originated in Italy and were popular in the Mediterranean region hundreds of years before they became popular in the Western world. These are all members of the summer squash family. Courgette is the French name, zucchini the Italian name; in New Zealand we use both names interchangeably. Some people also refer to them as baby marrows, which indeed they are. Marrows are simply mature or big courgettes.

Usually green-skinned but yellow-skinned varieties are also available. Courgettes are at their best when about 16 - 20 cm long.

Courgettes grow on the plant behind a yellow flower. If they are picked early the flower may be still attached. Rarely seen for sale because they are so difficult to transport, the flower attached to the courgette is highly prized. It is often stuffed with a creamy ricotta based filling and baked still attached to the courgette. Home gardeners can pick them with the flower still attached.

What to look for

Choose summer squash that have glossy blemish-free skins. Avoid any that show signs of softening or withering.

How to keep

Store at 7 – 10ºC with a relative humidity of 90 - 98%. Lower temperatures will cause chilling damage. Courgettes are ethylene sensitive which means they should be stored separately from ethylene producing products.

CONSUMER STORAGE: Refrigerate in plastic bags. Use promptly.

Nutritional value

Courgettes are an excellent source of vitamin C and also supply folate, potassium and some fibre and small amounts of other vitamins and minerals.

How to prepare

Courgettes and scallopini are very versatile and easy to prepare. Simply trim the stalk end off and eat either raw or cooked. There is no need to peel them.

Ways to eat this vegetable

Steam, boil, microwave, bake, stir-fry, barbecue or grill courgettes or scallopini as a side vegetable. They are particularly good in stir-fries and barbecues or filled with a savoury stuffing and baked.

When you can get it

They are available all year round with the main growing season from October until May.


Vegetable information kindly provided by www.vegetables.co.nz