Oh, my goodness, this is fun!

In case you don’t know it, August 8 is national “Sneak Some Zucchini on Your Neighbor’s Porch” day. This is a humorous way of looking at the situation when gardeners have more zucchini than they can eat. Locally, we may not have this problem. The hot weather and insects have really limited the zucchini harvest this time of year. But, it’s still fun to think about this unusual celebration.

So, I went to the internet to see what I could learn about this day (and maybe a little about zucchini, too). I’m usually very cautious about the summaries that AI comes up with when I search for a topic. But, I laughed out loud when I saw their ideas. It’s so good and fun, I just had to share. Some of the ideas are obvious, others humorous and some great thoughts on ways to develop a community around eating and sharing healthy foods. Here’s AI’s ideas on how to discreetly share zucchini with your neighbors:

• Direct Gift: Harvest fresh zucchini from your garden. Place them in a bag or basket. Leave them on your neighbor's doorstep with a friendly note.
• Creative Recipes: Bake zucchini bread or muffins. Package them nicely and deliver to neighbors. Include a recipe card for added personal touch.
• Zucchini Exchange: Organize a small neighborhood exchange. Invite neighbors to bring excess produce. Share zucchini (or other garden vegetables) among participants. Sharing excess zucchini (or any food) is a great way to prevent food waste.
• Anonymous Delivery: Use a delivery service or a mutual friend to drop off zucchini. This maintains anonymity while sharing the bounty.
• Community Events: Participate in local farmers markets or community potlucks.
• Offer zucchini dishes for others to enjoy.

Whether you are the recipient or the grower of the zucchini, here are a few bits of info about this vegetable. Zucchini is a kind of “summer squash”. Others include yellow crookneck, yellow straight neck and scalloped patty pan squash. There are some new zucchini varieties that include the golden or globe (round) types. In many recipes, the different varieties of summer squash are interchangeable. Unlike winter squashes which have hard skins and seeds, summer squashes should be harvested in the immature state so the seeds and skins can be eaten.

Most recommendations are to harvest or purchase zucchini that are 4 to 6 inches long and about 1 to 2 inches in diameter. They should be firm and blemish fee. Zucchini are 95% water and dehydrate easily so they best if stored in a perforated plastic bag in refrigerator crispers. Don’t wash zucchini until just before you are ready to use it.

Zucchini are a good source of vitamins A and C and potassium. They also offer valuable antioxidants and fiber with only about 15 calories per half-cup serving.
Perhaps your family is not fond of zucchini. There are some ways that you can “sneak” it into foods that they may like. This way you can use up excess and everyone can benefit from the nutrition. Chop and add it to omelets. Add raw grated zucchini to a green salad or slice and use it as dippers for salsa or a low-fat dip. Add cooked spiral zucchini to pasta or serve it in place of pasta with a tomato sauce. If you really want to be “sneaky”, grate the zucchini and add it to soups, sauces, nut breads, chocolate cake or even meatloaf.

If you have an abundant supply, zucchini can be frozen, pickled and even dried.
The National Center for Home Food Preservation (NAHFP) at the University of Georgia has tested recipes. However, canning zucchini or other summer squash is not recommended.

I have a couple of closing thoughts on “Sneak Some Zucchini Day”. It feels good to give your neighbors gifts, if it’s food that’s even better and if you grew it yourself that’s better yet. Don’t have a garden? Maybe buy an extra zucchini for your neighbor just for the fun of it.

Most people are grateful to have someone share their zucchini with them, perhaps your neighbor will sneak you some zucchini. I’d be happy to find a few on my porch.

Additional Resources:

What to do with a monster ZucchiniNational Center for Home Food Preservation Freezing Summer Squash

Syracuse is a Family and Consumer Science team member and can be reached at NC Cooperative Extension, Brunswick County Center 910-253-2610 or by email at clsyracu@ncsu.edu