How to Break Down Courgettes: Grating, Slicing, Dicing, and More!

Summer squash, courgettes, zucchini - whatever you call them - are in abundance…. To the point where the sheer quantity can be overwhelming!

Luckily for us, courgettes are supremely versatile, making it a fairly achievable affair to become simply whelmed (not over, not under, just whelmed) by the summer squash situation.

There are a number of ways in which courgettes can be processed:

1 - Grating.

It's easy, it's efficient, and it's the perfect way to enjoy courgettes in a fritter or in a cake (don't knock it till you try it!). Another option is to put your grated courgette into portion sized bags and pop them in the freezer for future enjoyment.

2 - Slicing lengthways.

The primary way to enjoy grilled courgette. You can also substitute lasagne pasta sheets for thinly sliced courgette for a healthy, low-carb option.

3 - Slicing into rings.

The best way to process a large number of courgettes for pickles - slice them finely, combine with sliced onions, salt, apple cider vinegar, sugar, mustard seeds, turmeric and celery seeds and seal into sterilised jars. Pickles are oh so tasty paired with cheese and crackers - what a way to kick off a dinner party!

If you're not into making preserves, thin slices of courgette are the quintessential ingredient to the classic dish ratatouille, and are also a nice addition to a seasonal salad.

4 - Diced.

The ultimate way to add courgettes into a stir fry, stew, casserole or bake: as small pieces, they blend in well, meaning you're consuming one of your 5+ a-day without even noticing!

Like an energetic child, courgettes have been known to play hide-and-seek, only showing themselves when they're the size of one's forearm.

If you've discovered a behemoth of a marrow (the grown-up version of our typical prepubescent courgette) in your garden, don't panic!

Marrows can be stuffed with a moreish filling and roasted: slice them in half lengthwise, scoop out the seeds and replace with a filling of your choice!

Cover with cheese, bake for 30 mins or so, then enjoy!