Market Watch: Green Tiger Zucchini

zucchini

If zucchini is a seasonal staple in your kitchen, be on the lookout at farmers markets for tiger zucchini, a less common variety. Named for its pale green stripes, tiger zucchini is a European hybrid that is best when harvested young (on the smaller side). The flavor is sweet and nutty with a tender crunch.

One medium specimen of the summer squash has only 30 calories and 2 grams of each fiber and protein. And it's not so shabby in the vitamin and mineral department: Each tiger zucchini contains 56 percent of the daily recommendation for vitamin C, 4 percent iron and 15 to 20 percent of B vitamins folate, B6 and riboflavin.

Thanks to their good flavor, tiger zucchini can be used in any recipe that calls for conventional zucchini, including these:

grilled zucchini with feta

TrishaYearwood_GrilledZucchiniWithHerbSaltAndFeta _H

Chef Name: Trisha Yearwood Full Recipe Name: Grilled Zucchini with Herb Salt and Feta Talent Recipe: Trisha Yearwood’s Grilled Zucchini with Herb Salt and Feta, as seen on Food Network’s Tricia’s Summer Kitchen FNK Recipe: Project: Foodnetwork.com, CINCO/SUMMER/FATHERSDAY Show Name: Tricia’s Summer Kitchen

Photo by: Renee Comet ©2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Renee Comet, 2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

zucchini hash browns

FNK_ZUCCHINI_HASHBROWNS_EITH_EGGS_H_.jpg

Photo by: Matt Armendariz ©2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Matt Armendariz, 2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

zucchini muffins

Giada De Laurentiis's Carrott Zucchini Mini Muffins as seen on Food Network

Photo by: Stephen Johnson ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Stephen Johnson, 2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

zucchini salad

Bobby_Flay_Fit_Zucchini_Salad.tif

Bobby Flay's Zucchini Salad

Photo by: Matt Armendariz ©Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.

Matt Armendariz, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.

Dana Angelo White, MS, RD, ATC, is a registered dietitian, certified athletic trainer and owner of Dana White Nutrition, Inc., which specializes in culinary and sports nutrition.

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