Today, August 8, 2014, is National Zucchini Day. Zucchini is a summer squash which can reach nearly a meter in length, but which is usually harvested at half that size or less. Zucchini can be dark or light green. A related hybrid, the golden zucchini, is a deep yellow or orange color. Zucchini is treated as a vegetable; it is usually cooked and presented as a savory dish or accompaniment. Botanically, however, zucchini is a fruit. Zucchini, like all squash, has its ancestry in the Americas. However, the varieties of squash typically called "zucchini" were developed in Italy, many generations after their introduction from the Americas. My favorite way to use zucchini is to slice it into rounds, place on a plate, cover with grated sharp cheese, and microwave. Time depends on how much zucchini is being cooked.
