Zucchini Love: 43 Garden-Fresh Recipes for Salads, Soups, Breads, Lasagnas, Stir-Fries, and More

by Cynthia Graubart

Grate, slice, chop, spiralize, pickle, and transform a bumper crop of zukes into delicious dishes to share all season long. Sweet to savory, breakfast to dinner, Zucchini Love proves how versatile this summer favorite can be! Both an easy-to-grow beginner crop for the newbie gardener and a popular offering at supermarkets and farmers markets alike, zucchinis take center stage in this single-subject cookbook, adding a high nutrient, low carb, and delicious twist to every meal. James Beard Award-winning cookbook author Cynthia Graubart brings her passion for producing veggie-forward family meals to over 40 recipes. Home cooks will find fresh takes on the classics like Lemon Glazed Zucchini Bread and Garlic-Sesame Zoodle Bowls with Shrimp, plus creative ideas for tasty snacks like Zucchini Fritters with Tahini Dip, satisfying main courses like Chicken-Stuffed Zucchini Boats, and irresistible desserts like Zucchini Fudge Brownies. Mouthwatering full-color photos and step-by-step instructions accompany each recipe — plus there are tips for picking, freezing, and preserving — making the book easy to use and highly browsable.

Genres: Cookbooks, Nonfiction, Cooking, Food, Ebooks

104 pages, Paperback

Published May 9, 2023

Reviews

[Natalie all_books_great_and_small · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

Zucchini Love is a cookbook based solely on recipes including Zucchini. I often don't really know what to make with this vegetable, so I jumped at the chance to read and review this book. It has given me some great ideas of dishes to make using it and each one looks and sounds delicious. The recipes are easy to follow and all have ingredients that are easy to find in most supermarkets and stores. This book is perfect for any level of cook and is a great find to encourage getting more of your five a day.

[Ankit Saxena · Rating 4 out of 5]

There were so many dishes with dips so soothing. Though I prefer only veggie ones and must say I like Zucchini fritters.
However, I loved the dessert section, and my most favourite of all was irresistible Zucchini Fudge Brownies. There were plethora of ways it could be used to make different dishes. There were snacks, salads, soups, etc. I ahve already have Zucchini Ricotta pound cake many times I would love to go next for Zucchini galettes for my free time fun. Zucchini lasagna is something I would love to try once and I hole it will be so tasty too.
Overall, this is good cookbook except the dishes with chicken and beef. For veg-dishes I say one must try each for once.

My NetGalley reviews

[Lindsay Nixon · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was very excited to review this cookbook as I always have more zucchini than I know what to do with at the end of summer (even when I stopped planting it myself I still somehow end with pounds of it! My neighbors must think "oh give some of our zucchini to the resident vegan!").

Unfortunately, zucchini isn't a family favorite or a personal one. Sadly this cookbook didn't excite me any more about zucchini or inspire me very much. Nearly all of the recipes are similar to recipes I've found online looking for "zucchini recipes" over the years. Other than a smoothie (gross) and jam, I'm not sure there were any new ideas, either.

Example recipes include: zucchini fritters, zucchini air-fried, zoodles, zucchini soup, zucchini bread, cornbread with zucchini, vegetable casserole, ratatouille, lasagna, zucchini boats, stir-fry.

What I disliked the most? THERE WAS NO TABLE OF CONTENTS.

Now for some positives: most of the cookbook is vegetarian. There are only a handful of dishes that have meat/chicken/shrimp/bacon which you could omit or substitute for a vegetarian version. There are 2? vegan recipes, the smoothie and jam, though 10 or so of the dishes could be made vegan with simple substitutions such as using vegan sour cream, vegan cheese, vegan butter. (This is by no means a low fat or low cholesterol cookbook or "healthy" minded cookbook; disappointing since it is celebrating a vegetable). If you're pretty good at replacing eggs as a binder (maybe Just Egg would work?) you might be able to make a few more recipes.

RECIPES I MADE VEGAN: I prepared the "greek style pasta with zucchini". The recipe calls for greek yogurt and feta cheese plus pasta, zucchini, onion, mushrooms, tomatoes, kalamata olives, mint and dill.

I could have bought vegan greek yogurt and vegan feta cheese but instead I simplified and used a creamy vegan greek dressing recipe I make all the time (tahini + vinegar + spices) since the yogurt is used to toss with the pasta and then topped with feta. I also opted to use "zucchini pasta/zoodles" instead of diced zucchini and pasta since my husband doesn't like chunks of vegetables with pasta and I don't like pasta.

It was eh...fine. I felt like it needed some sort of protein (e.g. chickpeas, lentils, pine nuts). My husband added a lot of tahini and extra dressing to his. I added some leftover hummus to mine. We both felt like "eh it's a zucchini dish." I think without my flavorful dressing it would have been really bland since greek yogurt has no taste and fresh herbs only do so much. Lemon might have helped.

I also made the "zucchini and eggplant lasagna" and substituted vegan mozz, vegan ricotta (I made it from tofu but there are commercial ones) and vegan parm. To be fair, I don't like lasagna or pasta or italian food very much in general, so it wasn't too surprising I wasn't excited. My husband didn't like it at all (he loves lasagna and is low carb; why I made it for him) and he wouldn't eat the leftovers. Even when I offered to add vegan meat to it. He said it was bland and watery and just not all that exciting. I had used his favorite very garlicy store-bought marinara too. I didn't want to throw it out so I tried to eat it myself, but I ended up composting it.

In closing, this reminded me of the church cookbooks from decades ago.

Thanks netgalley for my ARC.

[Lian Dolan · Rating 5 out of 5]

So Much Love for Zucchini Love from James Beard Award-winning author Cynthia Graubert. I laughed out loud when I read in the opening that making all the recipes in this book uses up seventy-five pounds of zucchini! Hooray. I planted more after making a few of these creative, well conceived recipes like Zucchini Fritters, Corn, Pepper and Zucchini casserole and Zucchini Roll-ups, a recipe I hadn't thought of since the seventies! This is a must own fro any home gardener or cooks trying to make more veggie-forward meals. A Satellite Sisters Highly Recommend for Mother's Day.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy to grow, abundant and hearty zucchini are sometimes overlooked for something more fascinating or unique. However, their mild attributes and multitudinous ways of preparing them are what makes this fruit so versatile. In Zucchini Love, author Cynthia Graubart adds interesting tidbits such as the origin of the word "zucchini", health benefits and 40+ recipe ideas to elevate it from the back burner to the front and center.

Zucchini flowers are my favourite part of the fruit to eat and the Pimento Cheese-Stuffed Zucchini Flowers recipe looks superb, especially with the addition of anchovy paste as recommended in the notes. Amongst other recipes I will make include Refrigerator Zucchini Pickles, Lemon=Marinated Zucchini and Mushrooms (I will make with wild mushrooms as we have an abundance), Cheesy Zucchini Potato Soup (with beans!), Zucchini Mushroom Tart, Zoodle and Beef Stir-Fry and Fresh Zucchini Strawberry Jam is high on my priority list. If Chocolate-Pecan Zucchini Bundt Cake doesn't grip you, nothing will. So many lovely options. I could open the book to any page, throw a dart and make that recipe, knowing it will be a tasty success. Though I have celiac disease, I could make easy gluten free substitutions for nearly every recipe inside.

The recipes contained are very simple with minimum effort and the ingredients are easy to find. The recipes will appeal to the beginner cook, novice and experienced cooks seeking fresh inspiration.

My sincere thank you to Storey Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with an early digital copy of this fruitful book, made for salivating over and cooking from. No excuse not to use this oft-maligned fruit in fresh ways, even if you find 50 of them sitting on your front step!

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zucchini Love: 43 Garden-Fresh Recipes for Salads, Soups, Breads, Lasagnas, Stir-Fries, and More is an excellent cookbook, especially for those gardeners who have no idea what to do with their abundant crop. The introduction to this cookbook is very informative, including nutritional facts (who knew that zucchini has as much potassium as a banana?), how to store, and how to prep.

The recipes are divided into the following sections, which I have listed below with some of my favorites.

Appetizers and Snacks: Air Fryer Zucchini-Parmesan Chips; Zucchini Fritters with Tahini Dip; Zucchini Potstickers with Dipping Sauce

Salads, Soups, and Sides: Cheesy Zucchini-Potato Soup; Marinated Zucchini Salad; Zucchini Corn Pudding

Satisfying Mains: Summer Vegetable Galette; Zucchini-Proscuitto-Pesta Pizza; Zucchini Roll-ups; Garlic-Sesame Zoodle Bowl with Shrimp

Sweet Treats: Zucchini-Carrot Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting; Nutty Zucchini Cookies

The author definitely used zucchini in ways that I have not though of, though most of the recipes are similar to ones I have made. The soups and salads section was my favorite, as the marinated salads and other offerings highlight the freshness of zucchini. The cookbook had great photographs and provided inspiration for the dishes. I would definitely recommend Zucchini Love to other readers.

Disclaimer: I was given an Advanced Reader's Copy by NetGalley and the publisher. The decision to read and review this cookbook was entirely my own.

[Tam Sesto · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zucchini Love by Cynthia Graubart is a straight forward cookbook with pretty pictures and all about zucchini.

The author includes sections on zucchini sizes, storing and prepping zucchini, salting, and slicing and spiralizing. Each recipe includes amount it makes, ingredients, instructions, and some have blurbs about the recipe. Instructions are clear and easy to follow.

The recipe section is as follows:

1. Appetizers and Snacks
Example: Zucchini Fritters with Tahini Dip

2. Salads, Soups, and Sides
Example: Zucchini Egg Drop Soup

3. Satisfying Mains
Example: Zucchini and Eggplant Lasagna

4. Sweet Treats
Example: Zucchini Fudge Brownies

My review is voluntary and all comments and opinions expressed are
my own.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zucchini is one of my favorite vegetables and it grows so well in my garden that I usually get a LOT. And while I love fried zucchini, I'm always looking for new ways to use this summer vegetable. Zucchini Love gives tons of great recipes for using zucchini in new and different ways. The author also includes tips on what recipes work best with what size zucchini. Everyone has found that hidden zucchini that went from perfect to giant overnight, so I think that is especially helpful. Recipes from fried zucchini to fritters, soup, breads, and even desserts are included. Even though I already use zucchini several ways I did find a few more recipes I'd like to try. If you are a zucchini fan definitely check out this cookbook.

[Susanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to the author, Storey Publishing and NetGalley, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

We love zucchini, so this was spot-on for me. Although I generally am not so good at following recipes to the letter, I do gather a lot of ideas and inspiration from perusing cookbooks - and I found a lot to like here. New (to me) ideas, nice and not overly primped photos for each recipe, easy-to-follow instructions. But, and this is a big "but" as far as I am concerned: I really detest cookbooks that cannot make a minimal effort to use non-US measurements. The rest of world gets along just fine with the metric system, and I cannot be bothered to search for conversion of strange US units into something I can relate to.

[Allie R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved these easy to read and follow zucchini recipes! I can’t wait to try them all! I’ve been looking for ways to incorporate more veggies into my diet and I found these ideas very helpful. The majority of these recipes had photos, which I prefer. Zucchini is such a versatile veggie, it really did deserve its own cookbook category! Thank you NetGalley for the Advance Reader Copy!

[Karen Hancock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Got Zucchini? Zucchini Love: 43 Garden-Fresh Recipes for Salads, Soups, Breads, Lasagnas, Stir-Fries, and More is a cookbook where every recipe contains zucchini. This is perfect for those who have gardens and too much zucchini. It’s also good for those who choose to purchase zucchini from the grocery store; it is available year round. It’s actually great for everyone who loves zucchini.

The recipes are written in the traditional manner, so they are easy-to-follow for anyone – beginning cooks to experienced cooks. The recipes call for ingredients that are easy to find, and are often on the pantry shelf, fridge, or freezer. There are recipes for appetizers, salads, soups, main dishes, and desserts. However, the book is light on main dishes – there should be more – but there are several side dishes which are appealing.

One positive to this cookbook is that there are beautiful photographs of most of the recipes. This makes it easy to see what the finished dish should look like, and makes it easier to choose which recipe to make next. The vegetable side dishes stand out, and the desserts look very appetizing. I made the Zucchini Ricotta pound cake first, and have a long queue of recipes to prepare.

All told, this small book has great zucchini recipes, but not enough of them. Most of the recipes are very appealing, and most have a minimum of ingredients. Anyone who loves zucchini will love the new recipes in this cookbook.


Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book.

[Melki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have you ever found yourself creeping stealthily across the street under cover of darkness, clutching a goodly amount of fresh zucchini that you're planning to quietly place on your neighbor's porch, only to run smack into said neighbor who has her arms filled with a cache of green squash destined for your own front stoop?

If so, this book could be a game-changer for you.

After reading all the yummy-sounding recipes in this book, you'll find yourself believing that there is no such thing as too much zucchini.

From Zucchini Fritters with Tahini Dip to Lemon Zucchini Doughnuts, there's something here to please every palate. Instead of foisting your excess produce on the neighbors, you might even want to invite them over for an all zucchini meal. Then again, why reward that jerk who likes to use his leaf blower at 7 in the morning? I recommend keeping all these goodies for yourself.



And, DON'T read this on an empty stomach!

Thanks to NetGalley and Storey Publishing for sharing.

[Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are overwhelmed every year by a bumper crop of zucchini, this book is for you. Including both traditional zucchini recipes like lasagna and zoodles, quick bread and pasta, you'll also find entirely new ideas to use zucchini. My initial favorites include refrigerator zucchini pickles, which offer a cool crunch, and zucchini her-cheese bread, which is a perfect accompaniment to a nice bowl of zucchini egg drop soup. There is a beautiful tian recipe for entertaining company, a meal that can be topped off with a slice of chocolate-pecan zucchini bundt cake,, and a pizza recipe for movie night with the family. Breakfast is included with zucchini-ricotta pancakes or a zucchini -blueberry smoothie. Next on my list is the zucchini ricotta pound cake topped by fresh zucchini strawberry jam. No longer do we have to fear a glut of zucchini!
The only thing I didn't love about this book are the pictures. Compared with all the glossy food magazines I love, the food styling here could really use a boost.

[Briel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well color me impressed! I had absolutely no idea that the humble zucchini could be the star of so many delicious sounding dishes until this cookbook! Seriously, one looks better than the next! I’m also massively impressed that the recipes don’t just include zucchini but rather zucchini is the main feature along with a few sidekicks. Anyone who belongs to a CSA, grows their own zucchinis, or has found themself at a farmer’s market or grocery store and realized that zucchini is the most prevalent and inexpensive vegetable option available needs this book! Personally, I’m excited to first try out the zucchini fritters with tahini dip, lemon marinated zucchini with mushrooms, cheesy zucchini potato soup, zucchini corn pudding, zucchini mushroom tart with potato crust, and the zucchini ricotta pancakes.

A wonderfully comprehensive cookbook with zucchini forward recipes to fit any tastebud, this cookbook is a keeper!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read the advance electronic copy and offer an honest review.

[RedReviews4You Susan-Dara · Rating 5 out of 5]

The versatility of the humble zucchini is on full display in this easy to read, easy to use cookbook. If you’re not already a zucchini fan, you will be. What a fantastic array of recipes for one of the most economical and readily available vegetables. Whether you grow them yourself (and have an abundance to use), or buy them at the market like I do, you’ll have plenty of choices from breakfast to dessert and everything in between. And, despite zucchini being super low in calories, there are a range of recipes from healthy to healthy-ish, to downright decadent, providing many options to explore and enjoy.

There are riffs on well-known recipes, like lasagna with zucchini and eggplant, zucchini boats, and zucchini bread, but there are also unique and imaginative takes, like smoky zucchini baba ganoush, zucchini potstickers, zoodle corn salad, and lemon zucchini donuts. Given that zucchini is usually one of the most economical items at the farmer’s market, I can’t wait to cook my way through this entire book!

[Poppy Marlowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I happen to love zucchini, so I was delighted to see this book pop up for review. I loved the recipes in here as they are easy, not too expensive and anyone who has ever grown zucchini knows, zucchini is rather ABUNDANT...to the point where you basically give it away. (MY sister who lived in Arkansas said you made sure you didn't leave your windows cracked during the summer when you were at church as you would find a basket of zucchini in your car once services were over!)

Great recipes that cover the range from appetizers to desserts and varied beyond the ubiquitous zucchini bread and 'ZOODLES. Easily understood by cooks of all levels, I will recommend this book far and wide!

Low carb and very usable.

[Jodi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zucchini the vegetable that when it grows a gardener receives an amazing amount and what to do with it.... Well this cookbook gives new life to the vegetable and it is creative and wonderful variety of recipes that will provide new life to this vegetable. I really liked the Zucchini Herbed Bread and Zucchini Carrot muffins. If you like Zucchini and also a way of hiding vegetables into wonderful recipes this book is for you. Great recipes and good photography with several helpful hints for cooking and size of Zucchini.

Thanks to the publisher, Netgalley and Author for the opportunity to review this cookbook!

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just recently got a spiralizer attachment for my kitchen aid mixer, and have been looking for good zoodle recipes. In this cookbook there was zoodle corn salad, garlic sesame zoodle bowl, and zoodle and beef stir fry, There was even bread and dessert options. I really liked the variety and creativity of the recipes, there were appetizing images, and straight forward instructions. This publisher also had a cookbook called "Tomato Love," so I am sensing a theme. This cookbook would be great for parents of picky eaters trying to sneak in vegetables. I will be cooking some of these recipes and enjoying them! I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I requested a pre-release of this on NetGalley because I love zucchini and frequently find myself with an abundance of it thanks to my CSA and growing it myself. I didn't expect much since I thought that I had pretty much exhausted my search for zucchini recipes. I was wrong! This gorgeous cookbook is crammed with mouthwatering photos of delicious zucchini packed recipes that I never would have thought of but will definitely be trying. I have already pre-ordered my hard copy!

Thank you to Storey Publishing and #NetGalley for allowing me to read a pre-release of this cookbook. My review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.

[Ink_Drinker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I often go to a local farmer's market and pick up zucchini when it is in season. I only know about one or two ways to cook it, so I quickly get bored with it. I know it's a healthy veggie so I was seeking new ways to prepare it and this cookbook is perfect for that! It has approximately 45 recipes that include appetizers, snacks, salads, soups, sides, main courses and sweets. I love the variety and I will be using my zucchini in a whole new way now!!

My two favorites so far from the book are the Sausage Stuffed Zucchini Boats and Zucchini Bread! They were both easy to make and big hits at my last get-together.

[Ajla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had to get this cookbook since zucchini is my favorite veggie (or fruit?) and I am really impressed with these recipes. The variety is great, the flavor is amazing and the photos are beautiful.
To quote the book itself:
If you make every recipe in this book, you'll have used more than 75 pounds of zucchini!
It is now a mission of mine to try out every recipe. So far I tried out, loved and would recommend the following:
- Zucchini Fritters with Tahini Dip
- Smoky Zucchini Baba Ganoush
- Lemon-Marinated Zucchini and Mushrooms
- Zucchini-Mushroom Tart

My free review copy was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

You have excess zucchini in your garden this summer and don't know what to do. Well get out this cookbook and you will find plenty of ideas to use the zucchini. You can slice, spiralize, pickle and of course bake with zucchini. This book goes beyond the zucchini bread and fried. You can make dips, casseroles and zucchini noodles which have become very popular. You can learn how to freeze it so you can use it in the winter. You know zucchini are prolific when there is a special day for leaving zucchini on your neighbors porch. With this book you can keep that zucchini and try one of the many recipes included. Check out the pictures and start cooking.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a solid summer cookbook. Have a garden full of zucchini and need an idea...or 50? This is the book for you! Most of the recipes had photos, and there was a good selection of dishes from zucchini bread to zucchini lasagna to zucchini pot stickers to zucchini prosciutto pesto pizza. Good variety with lots of vegetarian recipes, but also a a few with chicken, shrimp, and beef. Some delicious sounding desserts too, including zucchini fudge brownies. The only thing missing was a zucchini cocktail, haha. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

[Claudia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful recipe book.
I grew up with a family garden that produced a bumper crop of zucchini every summer. My dad made the most amazing things out of zucchini. These recipes are more upscale that the home cooking my father prepared. They all look delicious. Includes gorgeous, mouth-watering photos. The author includes comments about how long each dish will remain fresh in the refrigerator and if it freezes well.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Leyla Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love zucchini, I was brought up on them and my love of them have never waned. I grow then every year in the garden and cook and give many away. Many say that the zucchini is bland, but that is not the case. This book has some fabulous recipes that incorporate the vegetable into some very tasty and easy dishes to make -from savory dishes, spyriols spagetti, dips, cakes, drinks and desserts. And the best of all stuffed zucchini flowers - yum. Seventh heaven of a book. Thanks you NetGalley and the publishers for the DRC

[(a)lyss(a) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a great recipe book!

It's packed with information about zucchini and how to eat it. If you've ever grown zucchini you know how prolific it can be and this book is full of unique recipes I hadn't tried before. It really does cover a variety of recipes from bread to savory tarts and salads, This book is a nice break from spiralized zucchini and has some beautiful pictures!

[Sylvia Barker · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Zucchini Love" by Cynthia Graubart is a fantastic summer cookbook, filled with recipes using one of the most easy-to-grow summer veggies, zucchini (nd yellow summer squash, which can be used interchangeably in this book). Recipes are accompanied by mouth-watering photographs and are easy to achieve by home cooks. This cookbook would make a wonderful addition to any collection.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Ace · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a great book for someone already in love with zucchini and needs more things to do with it.
If you're not 100% in love with it, this book comes off as trying a little too hard.

Some of the recipes are excellent ways to sneak in vegetables or make healthier alternatives of family favourites. Either way I think it serves as good inspiration to use what I feel is an often underrated ingredient.

[Octavia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an awesome cookbook. I love zucchini and knew it could be used in so many different ways. This book opened my eyes even further. With loads of techniques for cooking zucchini. The recipes look delicious and easy to follow. I feel inspired to make most of these dishes. I also loved the pictures for each dish.

[Katya · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish this book contained more soup recipes! At this time, I will try 3 recipes: Lemon Marinated Zucchini & Mushrooms, Cheesy Zucchini-Potato Soup & the Zucchini-Blueberry Smoothie.
Maybe when I learn to use the food processor, I’ll take the book back out from the library and try some more! Glad I didn’t buy it!