Many people want to eat a healthy diet to improve their lifestyle. Vegetables constitute the major part of this diet since they have low carbohydrates and fats. These vegetables can be eaten either raw or cooked. Squash and zucchini fall under the vegetable category.
So, what is the difference between zucchini and squash? Zucchini is an edible summer squash that belongs to the Cucurbitaceae plant family. On the other hand, squash is a plant species that belong to the gourd family.
Zucchini and squash have high minerals, vitamins, and fiber sources. Professional dieticians and nutritionists recommend eating these vegetables four to five times a day to enjoy better health. Let us find more about their differences in the table below:
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Difference between Zucchini and Squash with Table
| Parameters | Zucchini | Squash |
| Origin | Mesoamerica | Southern Mexico |
| Definition | Summer squash belongs to a subspecies of squash main plant. | A fruit variety that belongs to the genus Cucurbita in the gourd family. |
| Consumption | Consumed raw | Cooked along with other vegetables. |
| Alternative Names | Baby marrows or Courgette | Marrows |
| Harvesting | Late summer in August and September. | Late fall in October or November. |
| Health Benefits | Helps the body produce collagen, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents. | Helps aid digestion, maintain blood pressure, and lower cholesterol in the body. |
| Culinary Uses | Grilled, fried, broiled, baked, and steamed. | Served fresh in salads and stuffed. |
| Fat Content | Zero | About 0.2g |
| Water Content | 94.6g | 95g |
| Sugar Levels | 1.7g | 2.2g |
What Is Zucchini?
Zucchini is a small fruit variety that belongs to the gourds and cucumber family. The summer squash is edible and also known as small marrows or courgette.
The term Zucchini is widely used in Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and America. The word originated from an Italian Tuscan dialect zucchini.
These squash summer fruits are native to Mesoamerica and they are harvested during the late summer. Immature and soft zucchini are eaten raw or cook.
Mature zucchini are large and highly fibrous. The plant species also produce flowers suitable for cooking due to their sweet flavors.
Zucchini plants are cooked in different ways and techniques. My favorite techniques are steaming, baking, grilling, boiling, and stuffing.
Cooked zucchini fruits have mild tastes with a little bit of sweetness. But the tastes might vary depending on your culinary techniques.
Zucchini is a non-starchy fruit with high fibers and vitamins. These nutrients help boost the immune system, maintain blood sugar, and aid digestion.
What Is Squash?
Squash is a fruit variety that belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family. Squash vegetable is further divided into winter squash and summer squash.
Winter squash varieties are kabocha, butternut, acorn, delicate, and Hubbard. Summer squash varieties are zucchini, giant pumpkin, and spaghetti squash.
Most squash fruits have bright colors with a mild or savory taste. Many people use squash as vegetables and fruits in their dishes.
Some squash species have sweetness and earthy flavors. The high fiber content helps aid digestion and lower cholesterol levels in the body.
Vitamin A helps improve the lungs and maintain blood sugar. It also helps to prevent colon cancer. We recommend serving fresh squash in salads, stuff, or cooked with other vegetables.
Squash harvesting takes place in the late fall of October and November
Main Difference between Zucchini and Squash
- Zucchini are native to Mesoamerica, while squash hails from Southern Mexico.
- Zucchini are mainly harvested in Milan Italy. On other hand, squash is harvested in Northern America.
- Zucchini harvesting and cultivation happen in late summer in August and September. Squash harvesting and cultivation take place in late fall in October and November.
- Zucchini helps the body to produce collagen, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory agents. Squash helps maintain blood pressure, lower cholesterol, and aids digestion.
- Zucchini are steamed, baked, grilled, boiled, and fried. On the other hand, squash is served fresh in salads, stuffed, and cooked.
- Squash is also known as marrows, while zucchini is baby marrow or small marrow.
Similarities between Zucchini and Squash
- Both plants grow vines and tendrils.
- Both plants belong to the same Genus Cucurbita
- Both are incorporated in hundreds of sweet and savory dishes
- Both plants have high nutritional benefits to the consumers.
Conclusion
So, what is the difference between zucchini and squash? Zucchini are native to Mesoamerica, while squash hails from Southern Mexico.
Both zucchini and squash belong to the same Cucurbitaceae family. They also have the same energy content and grow up to a certain length.
But squash has more sugar content than zucchini. The cooked zucchini has a mild and savory taste. The vitamin C content in zucchini helps improve skin appearance.
In contrast, squash is served as cooked vegetables and helps prevent heart diseases and defective births. Feel free to share your experiences with squash and zucchini in the comment section.