How to Tell If Zucchini Is Bad (2024)

FAQs

How to Tell If Zucchini Is Bad? ›

If you see mold, black spots, browning, yellowing, shriveling, or wrinkling on the skin of your zucchini, it has likely gone bad. A soft, mushy, or slimy texture also indicates spoilage. When picking zucchini at the store, look for smooth, blemish-free skin with a vibrant dark green color.

How to Tell If Zucchini Has Gone Bad. Bad zucchini will feel rubbery or slimy to the touch. It may also have an off-putting smell and dark or fuzzy moldy spots. The interior of bad zucchini may be off-white to brownish with stringy, mushy flesh and large, hard seeds.

If your zucchini looks stringy, not firm and meaty, it's time to be discarded. Off smell - Zucchini has a neutral, "green" scent. If your zucchini smells rotten or "off", it's safe to say it should be tossed. Bitter taste - When fresh, zucchini has a very neutral flavor.

If your zucchini is just a little softer than usual (not mushy), cut it off and check the interior. If the flesh is still good, it is still usable but you need to freeze it or cook it right away.

To store zucchini in the fridge, keep the squash whole, dry and unwashed. Store them in a plastic or paper bag with one end open to encourage air circulation, and pop them in the refrigerator crisper drawer. They'll keep there for 1 to 2 weeks, though you'll probably see the skin start to shrivel over time.

If a zucchini has moldy spots, it's best to avoid eating it entirely, as mold can penetrate deeply into the vegetable. Zucchinis showing signs of spoilage, such as dark or soft spots, mushiness, or a rubbery texture, should be discarded.

Over the years, I have encountered two different kinds of Blossom end rot. Unfortunately, both types have similar symptoms. As soon as the zucchini started to put on, the ends would turn yellow and soft and rot right on the vine.

Keep your eye out for any brown spots or blemishes; these can indicate the start of spoiling. Any soft spots or slimy areas are also a sign that your squash has gone bad. Old squash tends to have soft flesh, leathery skin, and a hollow feel. And, of course, any spots of mold mean it's time to toss your squash.

If properly stored, zucchini will last up to a week. The best way to store zucchini is in the refrigerator, preferably in the crisper drawer, where humidity is kept to a minimum.

Since zucchini gets mushy and soft when overcooked, my first tip is obvious - reduce the cooking time. Depending on the recipe, this is an easy step to implement.

Why are the ends of my zucchini soft? ›

If the ends of your zucchini get soft before they are fully grown, this is caused by squash blossom end rot and is a symptom of a calcium deficiency.

Don't worry, it's still fine to eat! The bumps are an aesthetic effect of mosaic virus that the plants sometimes get. This has been a bad year for cucumber beetles which attack zucchini and squash plants, and can transmit mosaic viruses when they feed.

Mushy texture: A spoiled zucchini has a mushy or stringy texture when you cut it, and it may feel slimy to the touch. "Off" smell or taste: If your zucchini smells sour or foul in any way, or if it tastes unusually bitter, it has likely gone bad.

Stored properly, it'll last one or two weeks, though you'll probably see the skin shrivel as the days pass. Remember, you need to keep things dry, so as tempting as it might be to wash your zucchini beforehand, you shouldn't get any water near it until you're ready to use it.

Of course, large zucchini are still edible, but they lose the delicate flavor and tender texture of their smaller counterparts, which is important in summer favorites like Shaved Squash Salad, Marinated Squash With Hazelnuts and Ricotta and Summer Squash Frittata with Herbs where they're the star.

Avoid zucchinis with shriveled skin, cuts, or rotten areas. These signs indicate that the zucchini has exceeded its shelf life and is no longer suitable for consumption. However, if the wilted area is small, you can try to cut it and eat the rest of the zucchini.