Last night when I got home from work I picked the first zucchini of the season from the garden. The zucchini plants literally exploded while we were gone on vacation. I think this is the earliest zucchini I’ve had out of 3 seasons of gardening. It was a little small, but they taste best that way. Here it is prior to picking:
“Picking” is a relative term. I actually had to cut it off the plant with a knife.
Zucchini plants have both male and female flowers. You need both kinds in order to get fruit. Both types of flowers have bright yellow blooms. The way to tell the difference is the stems. The male flowers are on long skinny stems and they sit up high.
The female flowers have thicker stems and are closer to the heart of the plant. The female flowers are the ones that produce the actual fruit.
See the little baby zucchini? 😀
The zucchini I picked was about 6 inches long and it was perfect! Zucchinis do not taste as good once they grow too large. I could tell this one was good because the seeds inside weren’t very developed.
I cooked them up my favorite way. Sauteed (or fried, whatever the correct term is) in olive oil with toasted walnuts.
Looking forward to the plethora of zucchini that are headed my way I’m sure. I need to remember this day when I am totally over zucchini in August. 🙂
Everything Is Homemade 
Okay I didn’t plant any zucchini or squash this year because I actually don’t care for it much but my rogue plants from last year are huge! Can’t wait to give away some of the little guys. hehe