Quick question about harvesting zucchini!

11 years ago

So I was just googling how to harvest zuchini and some places said to harvest 6-8" for best flavor. One even said 5 inches. My zucchini are already 3-4 inches before they even get pollinated! I have one that is probably already over 6" and it is very skinny like maybe the thickness of a US quarter. The ones at the store are much thicker. Any suggestions on when to harvest mine? Thanks.

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Comments (12)

jean001a
11 years ago
Yours is prime. Harvest & enjoy.

Different kinds have different characteristics. If you want one that's fatter, try another kind.
User
11 years ago
The ones at the store may have been left too long on the vine. The best reason to grow your own is to be able to harvest when the fruit is at its best.
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feijoas
11 years ago
My Costata Romanesco zucchini are big when they appear and they're pretty massive when they still have flowers.
Any other variety I'd be throwing them on the compost at that size, but they are delicious.
If I want small Costata Romanesco, I have to creep up on them in the early morning before they're awake and they'll definitely still have flowers!
silent88
Original Author
11 years ago
Hey guys! I feel bad I didn't get to check back while it was still small so I picked it at this size...

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This is the variety:

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Mine is on the right. The store one is left... I let mine get even thicker.

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I'll try harvesting some when they are smaller next time! but it feels like you get more fruit this way? I've only had zucchini once in my life, having my zucchini was the 2nd time ever so I don't have anything to base it on, but it didn't taste bad. It's a vegetable... so I don't expect it to taste good. My mom said it was good though. My grandpa used to harvest 2 foot long zucchinis! lol. Anyways I'm rambling. This is the first real zucchini I've grown. :)

Thanks for the help!
rockguy
11 years ago
Silent88~ You say you don't expect it to taste good 'cause it's a vegetable.....hmmm. Why are you gardening then? All you get is vegetables, lol. Anyway if you've tried other recipes, try slicing it up like carrot sticks or celery and dunk them (fresh) in Ranch dressing. OR....grate the zuc and stir-fry til it shrinks by half, then serve with scrambled eggs. It's very good that way. You can substitute zuc for pumpkin in any pumpkin bread recipe too.
chas045
11 years ago
Silent88 is growing veggies because they are supposed to be good for you. Well, they are, and at least I think they taste good; but it helps to add some butter and I particularly like to add a whole lot of cumin.

Yes, you are supposed to pick them at the 5" size that you first showed. They will get way bigger than you just showed above, but the seeds get way bigger and most people just throw them away on the compost pile (huh, where did all these squash plants come from??). The real problem with this type of zuchini is that you often miss one or two of them hiding under some leaves until they rise from under them like a whale from the sea.
rjs55555
11 years ago
Cut them about 1/4" thick then cover them in Italian dressing. Put them on Aluminum foil on the grill. Cook them until they are tender and starting to brown. This is my favorite way to eat squash and Zucchini.
t-bird
11 years ago
you wont get more veggie leaving them! the more you pick the small ones - the more the plant produces.

so pick em small.
coralb
11 years ago
Agree with T-bird. Pick small to medium sized. They get fibrous, seedy and even woody if they get too large.

Here is a link that might be useful: Adventures in Agriburbia
silent88
Original Author
11 years ago
I like veggies such as green beans, salad, broccoli, carrots, strawberries (fruit... But so are zucchini technically ;)), and love fruit so I have fruit trees and such. I grow tomatoes for my mom and try to eat my veggies because they are healthy mainly lol. As for the zucchini I just need to acquire a taste for it like I did broccoli :p I just dont like to add butter or dressing or cheese because I like them to be completely healthy! But maybe I can try some time. ;) lol

Well I'll try to pick them smaller thanks :) maybe my grandpa just accidentally left the huge ones! My mom loved using them for lasagna though. She requested I grow some how he did (te size of baseball bats).
bookjunky4life
11 years ago
silent88 - I love many many veggies but I also have a hard time with zucchini. We cubed and steamed it last year and even with salt and a little butter it still had a texture I did not care for. I believe it would be better in a stir fry with other veggies. I always have too much as my MIL primarily slices and deep fries it--yes, I know, terribly unhealthy but very good!--but I figure I'll cube up the extras for my chickens and ducks. I will also try to harvest mine a bit smaller this year.
t-bird
11 years ago
use it in a thai style red curry!

marinated in olive oil and soy sauce and on the grill....