August 8th is the national holiday dedicated to one of the most beloved vegetables. We call them "zucchine."
Celebrate zucchini! It's August 8th!
August is the month dedicated to zucchini. This vegetable comes in various sizes and shapes, each with its distinctive flavor and taste. We Italians love zucchini. Especially during the summer, it is one of our favorite vegetables. Yet this vegetable is a "gift" that comes to us from North America: the plant was later taken across the Atlantic Ocean. Thank you, explorers!
Perfect for a healthy diet
This delicious vegetable is perfect if you need help with weight loss because it is low in calories. Zucchini, though, is also high in fiber. It contains a lot of water, so when you eat it, you feel full and don't overeat. For these reasons, if you are on a healthy diet, do not forget to add zucchini to your salads and soups.
A thousand ways to enjoy zucchini
There are a thousand ways to enjoy zucchini: grilled, first and foremost, and lightly boiled. You can also enjoy it fresh: just slice them and add salt and extra virgin olive oil (here, you will find a wide selection of extra virgin olive oil of the highest quality). Another way to enjoy zucchini is to preserve them in olive oil. The only caution-we are Italian, and we will always remind you-is to use good quality olive oil! If you have plenty of zucchini and do not want them to go bad, you can freeze them as long as you slice them and put them in freezer bags. For a healthy side dish, you can choose to bake them in the oven.
Zucchini flowers, a summertime delight
We call this delicacy "fiori di zucca," zucchini flowers in Italian. Did you know that yellow flowers are edible? The taste is delightful! In Italy, you will find fiori di zucca battered and fried. Also, we love the flowers stuffed with mozzarella or ricotta and herbs, then dipped in batter and pan-fried. Needless to say, every Italian region has its own unique recipe. Another filling beloved by Italians is anchovy fillets and mozzarella. You can serve them as an "antipasto," a fancy starter.
How to celebrate? "Sneak some zucchini onto your neighbor's porch!"
August 8th is also known as "National sneak some zucchini onto your neighbor's porch day." It has been celebrated for years donating fresh zucchini. The creator is Thomas Roy, known for inventing other exciting national holidays (he was the father of national no socks day). The idea is to wait until night and sneak over, leaving your zucchini by your neighbor's door. What do we love about this holiday? The idea of taking care of our neighbors with a small yet lovely gesture. For us Italians, donating food simply means giving love. To nourish is to love! That's why we encourage you to celebrate this holiday by doing this small act of kindness.
