15 of the best courgette recipes

What are the health benefits of courgettes?

Courgettes are a good source of potassium, plus antioxidants including vitamin C, lutein and beta-carotene. They’re also a source of both soluble and insoluble fibre, which are beneficial for gut health.

When is courgette season in the UK?

Courgettes are typically in season from June to September, but at their best in July and August. If you’ve grown your own and are harvesting them regularly during this time, you might end up with a glut on your hands. Never fear – we’ve got dozens of dishes to make with your haul.

Where do courgettes come from?

Courgettes are actually fruit. The Latin name is Cucurbita pepo and courgettes come from the same family as pumpkins, cucumbers and melons. They can be yellow, green, green-striped, long and thin or short and round. Left to grow on the plant, courgettes will become large, watery marrows.

Like squash, the courgette has its origins in North and Central America, but modern varieties (which are actually marrows bred to give immature fruit) weren’t developed until the 19th century in Italy. Good pub quiz knowledge: zucchini and courgette both mean ‘little marrows’ in Italian and French, respectively.

What’s the best way to cook courgettes?

Courgettes are so versatile and there are lots of great ways to cook them. You can grate them like carrots to use in cakes, mix into batter for fritters or eat them raw in salads. You can stuff them, shred or spiralise for a pasta alternative, stir-fry, grill, griddle, steam or whizz into a soup… You can even eat the flowers – stuff with ricotta spiked with lemon zest, dip in a light batter, then deep-fry.

What can I do with a lot of courgettes?

• Courgette fritters are a great way to use up courgettes as you can make a big batch using 3-4 courgettes and freeze any leftovers to eat another day (reheat from frozen in a pan over a medium heat, or in an air fryer).
• Our courgette parmigiana requires four large courgettes and can be made ahead and frozen in portions.

15 of the best courgette recipes

Grilled courgettes with agrodolce
This grilled courgette salad is the goes-with-everything side dish you need this July and August. Griddle courgette rounds until they’ve taken on a flavoursome char, then spoon plenty of the irresistible sweet-sour agrodolce sauce over the top.

Hasselback courgettes
Roast courgettes are unexpectedly delicious, especially when you give them the hasselback treatment. Usually used on potatoes, this Swedish cooking technique sees the courgettes cut into thin slices on top, which crisp up beautifully in the oven. Serve as an easy vegetarian dinner with feta, flaked almonds and mint.

Courgette galette
Rows of thinly sliced courgettes and Greek manouri cheese top golden, buttery pastry in this easy but impressive galette recipe. Drizzle with plenty of the chilli-honey dressing before serving.

Courgette muffins
Carrots aren’t the only veggie to perk up everyday bakes. Sneak one of your five-a-day into these easy courgette muffins. This quick courgette bake is perfect for lunchboxes, picnics and summer days out.

Courgette baba ganoush
Courgettes get the smoky treatment in this delicious dip recipe. Baba ganoush is traditionally made with aubergines, but courgettes – cooked over an open flame until blackened – make a great alternative to serve with barbecued lamb cutlets.

Courgette fries
Meet your new favourite summer side dish. These moreish courgette fries have a crisp, golden batter just made for dunking into a pot of chilli-spiked mayo.

Courgettes and ricotta on toast
Sometimes simple is best. Sauté courgette slices over a low heat with a little chilli and garlic to coax out their natural sweetness. Slow-cooked until jammy, they are the star of this summery eat-whenever toast dish.

Courgette fritters
Frying up a stack of fritters is an easy and popular way to cook courgettes. Serve our simple, gluten-free fritters with coppa ham and a speedy lemon and dill yogurt for brunch or a light supper.

Courgette kofta curry
Switch up your usual veg curry recipe for this winner from Bake Off star Chetna Makan. Light and fluffy courgette kofta nestle in a creamy, gently-spiced tomato gravy. The versatile kofta also work well as canapés or snacks.

Courgette and buttermilk salad
Toss raw courgette ribbons with a creamy buttermilk dressing before scattering basil and crumbled goat’s cheese on top to serve. A speedy, elegant lunch for one.

Lemon and courgette cake
This showstopper bake has four layers of light courgette and lemon sponge alternating with lemon curd and a white chocolate frosting. Perfect for summer birthdays (see if your guests can guess the secret veggie ingredient!).

Crab and courgette pasta
Mild, slightly sweet courgette is a good partner for delicate crab meat as neither overpowers the other. Tumble with tagliatelle, plus plenty of olive oil and lemon, for an easy summer dinner for two.

Courgette parmigiana
This rich vegetarian parmigiana is a great way to use up a brace of courgettes in one recipe. The comforting savoury bake serves six and has a contemporary twist thanks to fiery Korean gochujang paste and black sesame seeds.

Pea, courgette and parmesan soup
Yes, you can use courgettes to make soup. The trick is to gently fry them first, along with plenty of garlic. Pair with naturally sweet peas, aromatic basil and an umami-boost of parmesan for a light and bright summer soup.

Courgette orzo risotto
Make a cheat’s courgette risotto with orzo. This rice grain-shaped pasta absorbs all those risotto flavours with less stirring and time at the stove. Fold in rich taleggio cheese and courgette slices, fried in olive oil until golden. Heavenly.

Courgette glut still going strong? Browse all our courgette recipes.