As the summer sun starts to set a little earlier and the cool breeze hints at the arrival of fall, something peculiar begins to happen in neighborhoods everywhere. Gardens that have been lovingly tended all season long suddenly explode with an abundance of fresh vegetables. Tomatoes ripen faster than we can eat them, cucumbers seem to multiply overnight, and then—ah yes—there’s the zucchini.
If your doorstep is mysteriously adorned with a giant zucchini (or three) this time of year, you’re not alone. You’ve become part of a seasonal ritual that’s as much a rite of passage as it is a cry for help from your gardening friends. Our community of would be Cohousers is no different.
The Zucchini Problem: A Tale of Too Much Goodness
It starts innocently enough. A neighbor plants a zucchini seed in spring, hopeful and excited about the prospect of homegrown produce. They envision a few fresh squashes, maybe some grilled zucchini or a batch of zucchini bread. What they don’t anticipate is the vegetable equivalent of a population explosion.
Zucchini plants are the overachievers of the garden world. They grow fast, they grow big, and before you know it, they’re producing more zucchini than a small village could possibly eat. And thus, the “Great Zucchini Giveaway” begins. Connie, I am talking about YOU!
When a Gift Isn’t Really a Gift
But let’s be honest—who doesn’t love a surprise gift, especially when it’s a vegetable the size of a baseball bat? There’s something both charming and slightly absurd about these green giants showing up on your porch. And while it might seem like your neighbors are doing you a favor, we all know the truth: they’re just trying to get rid of the evidence.
Embracing the Zucchini Overload
Accepting these oversized gifts comes with a responsibility—what to do with all that zucchini? Luckily, the options are endless. You can:
Bake Zucchini Bread: The classic solution, and one that can be frozen for later (because you’ll have a lot of it).
Make Zoodles: Transform those giants into a low-carb pasta alternative. Just don’t mention that they’re actually better than real pasta, or you’ll never escape the zucchini donations.
Fan Favourite: Ratatouille fantastique! Also helps us answer the question “What do I do with Eggplant”?
Stuff Them: Hollow them out and fill them with your favorite stuffing for a hearty meal. Bonus points if you can actually finish one in a single sitting.
Give Them Away: The ultimate act of zucchini diplomacy. Pass the love—and the zucchini—to someone else. Just be sure they’re not on to your plan.
And remember, when in doubt, zucchini bread freezes beautifully. Just don’t forget to leave a slice on your neighbor’s doorstep next time as a thank you—because that’s how zucchini diplomacy works.