Steaming Summer Squash: The Perfect Courgette Cooking Method

Courgettes, or zucchini, are a popular choice in Britain and the US. They are low in calories and high in vitamins A and C. One of the fastest and easiest ways to cook courgettes is to steam them. To steam courgettes, you will need a pot, a steamer basket, water, and, of course, courgettes. First, rinse and dry the courgettes, then trim the ends and slice them into uniform pieces. Next, add an inch or two of water to the pot and insert the steamer basket. Ensure the water level is completely under the basket. Bring the water to a boil, add the courgettes to the steamer basket, cover the pot, and steam for 2 to 15 minutes, depending on the thickness of the slices and your desired tenderness. Remove the courgettes from the heat when they are still slightly crisp, as they will continue to cook from residual heat. Season with salt and pepper, butter, and garlic, or parmesan cheese to taste.

Prepping courgettes for steaming

Courgettes are a versatile vegetable that can be steamed, boiled, fried, grilled, barbecued, or even eaten raw. If you're looking to steam them, here's a step-by-step guide to prepping courgettes for a delicious and healthy side dish.

Selecting the Right Courgettes:

When choosing your courgettes, look for small to medium-sized ones that feel heavy for their size. The skin should be firm, shiny, and unblemished with a bright green or yellow colour. Avoid courgettes that feel spongy or have soft spots, as these are past their prime.

Preparing the Courgettes:

Start by rinsing the courgettes under cold water. Then, use a sharp knife to trim off both ends of each courgette. Depending on your preference, you can leave the courgettes whole or slice them into rounds or strips. If you're slicing, aim for a thickness of about 1/4 to 1/3-inch. Uniform size is important to ensure even cooking.

Setting Up the Steamer:

Fill a large saucepan with an inch or two of water. Make sure the water level is below the bottom of the steamer basket. Insert the steamer basket into the saucepan. You can also use a metal strainer or colander if you don't have a steamer basket.

Steaming the Courgettes:

Place the prepared courgettes into the steamer basket. Cover the saucepan with a lid and turn the heat to high. Once the water comes to a rapid boil, reduce the heat to medium. Set a timer and steam the courgettes for 4 to 15 minutes, depending on the thickness of your slices and your desired level of doneness. Check for doneness by piercing the courgette with a fork or knife. Remember, courgettes will continue to cook slightly even after being removed from the heat.

Serving Suggestions:

Once steamed, transfer the courgettes to a serving bowl. Season with salt and pepper to taste. You can also drizzle them with olive oil, butter, or a squeeze of lemon juice for added flavour. Enjoy your perfectly steamed courgettes as a healthy and tasty side dish!

How long to steam courgettes

Steaming courgettes is a quick and easy way to cook them, and they can be prepared in a few simple steps. Firstly, trim the ends from the courgettes and cut each one in half. Then, cut each half lengthwise into quarters. Place a steamer insert into a saucepan and fill with water to just below the steamer. Bring the water to a boil, add the courgettes to the steamer insert, cover, and steam until tender. This should take 5-15 minutes, depending on how crisp you like your courgettes. If you prefer them to be more crisp, steam for less time, around 5 minutes. If you like them very tender, steam for 10-15 minutes.

Once steamed, courgettes can be seasoned with olive oil, salt, pepper, and a squeeze of lemon juice, or tossed with herbs, pesto, or garlic. They can be served as a side dish, added to casseroles, frittatas, or pasta, or chopped and added to a salad.

How to serve steamed courgettes

Steamed courgettes are a quick, easy and healthy way to cook this versatile vegetable. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to prepare and serve them:

Preparation

Firstly, select small to medium-sized courgettes that are firm, shiny and unblemished. They should feel heavy for their size. Rinse and dry the courgettes, then trim the ends. You can then slice the courgettes into rounds or strips, ensuring they are all the same size so they cook evenly. Smaller slices will cook faster.

Cooking

Add an inch or two of water to a large saucepan and insert a steamer basket. The water should be completely under the basket. Bring the water to a boil, then carefully place the courgettes into the steamer basket. Cover the pan and steam for 4-5 minutes for thin slices, or 10-15 minutes for thicker slices. Check the courgettes after 4 minutes to ensure they are not overcooked. They are ready when they are bright green and still slightly firm.

Serving

Once steamed, courgettes can be seasoned with salt and pepper, or tossed in olive oil, butter, fresh herbs or pesto. A squeeze of lemon juice will also enhance their flavour. Steamed courgettes can be served as a simple side dish, or added to salads, casseroles, frittatas and pasta dishes.

Tips

Use a timer to ensure the courgettes are not overcooked, as they can quickly become mushy. They will continue to cook slightly once removed from the heat, so take them off just before they are fully cooked.

Alternatives

While steaming is a healthy and quick way to cook courgettes, they can also be fried, grilled, barbecued or stir-fried. They can also be added to soups, but only at the end of cooking to retain a little crunch.

Steamer basket alternatives

While steaming courgettes is not recommended, as they can become mushy and unpleasant, if you are set on steaming them, you can do so in a few different ways without a steamer basket.

One method is to use a plate and tinfoil. Fill a medium pot with 1/2 inch of water and place three balls of aluminium foil in the bottom. Then, rest a heat-proof plate on top of the foil balls, cover the pot, and bring the water to a boil. Next, add the courgettes to the plate, cover, and steam until they are tender.

If you have a wire cooling rack, you can use this in place of a steamer basket. Simply add an inch of water to a pot with a tight-fitting lid, place the rack in the pan, and place the courgettes on top. Then, close the lid and steam to your desired texture.

Another option is to use a disposable aluminium pie pan. Poke several holes in the bottom of the pan, place it upside down in a pot filled with an inch of water, and rest the courgettes on top of the inverted pan.

Finally, you can steam courgettes in the microwave. Place them in a bowl, add a few tablespoons of water, and cover the bowl tightly with microwave-safe plastic wrap. Then, microwave for 4-6 minutes, or until tender.

Avoiding oversteaming

Steaming is one of the fastest and easiest ways to cook courgettes (or zucchini). However, it is easy to oversteam them, resulting in a soggy, mushy mess. Here are some tips to avoid oversteaming:

Use a Timer

Use a timer to keep track of the steaming time. Courgettes steam relatively quickly, and oversteaming can easily occur if left unattended. Set a timer for 4 to 5 minutes, and start checking your courgettes after 4 minutes. The smaller the slices, the faster they will cook. Thicker pieces or chunks may take a little longer but be careful not to overdo it. It's always better to err on the side of undercooking than overcooking.

Visual Inspection

You can tell if courgettes are overcooked by looking at them. The flesh will become more translucent and almost clear. The ideal steamed courgette should be vibrant green with a slight crunch. If you see the courgettes becoming too soft or translucent, remove them from the heat immediately.

Remove Before Fully Cooked

Remember that courgettes will continue to cook slightly even after being removed from the heat due to residual heat. Therefore, remove them from the steamer while they still have a slight crunch. This way, they will reach the perfect level of doneness while you get everything else plated.

High-Quality Produce

Start with high-quality, fresh courgettes. Choose firm courgettes with tiny bristles of hair. Avoid courgettes that feel spongy or have breaks, gashes, or soft spots. They should feel heavy for their size.

Proper Storage

Properly storing courgettes before cooking is essential to prevent oversteaming. Courgettes should be stored in the fridge for no more than 2-3 days. After this, they will start to lose their flavour and become bitter.

Frequently asked questions