This Is The Perfect Thickness For Your Zucchini Slices

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Zucchini is a delicious and nutritious vegetable, perfect for adding to baked goods, charring on the grill, or tossing in a salad. With over 95% water content, it's easy for the squash to get mushy, especially depending on the cooking method you choose. For example, the right way to slice zucchini for grilling can differ from how you cut it to bake in a zucchini gratin recipe or prepare it for an herby zucchini ribbon salad recipe.

Though the perfect thickness for your zucchini slices will vary based on the specific dish, there are a few general rules to keep in mind to achieve the right taste and texture. You should aim for a thickness between ¼ and ½ inch based on your cooking method. Zucchini begins releasing water as soon as it's cut, meaning you'll want to blot your slices to avoid a watery mess. Exposure to heat will also cause zucchini to release moisture, so you'll want to cut your zucchini into thicker slices that will stand up to grilling or frying rather than thinner slices, which would fall apart.

On the other hand, thinner slices of zucchini are ideal for delicate salads and quick pickling with an acidic dressing. Because zucchini becomes even softer when cooked or pickled, it's important to use a light touch with whatever methods you choose. With zucchini, you'll want to achieve an ideal balance of consistency between sturdy and tender.

Slicing zucchini for different dishes is a matter of time, patience, and the right equipment. For example, if you need thinner uniform slices, try using a tool like Amazon Basics' Hand-held Mandoline Slicer. If you're preparing zucchini for a salad, try using a Gannk Vegetable Peeler or any other wide style of peelers to achieve the optimal shape and thickness.

For slicing by hand, make sure to use a sharp knife and exercise caution. As zucchini contains so much water, there is a risk of slippery surfaces or kitchen tools when slicing. Using a clean paper towel and a sprinkle of salt to blot away moisture on your slices is an especially good idea before frying or sauteeing zucchini in oil to avoid a buildup of steam and maintain an ideal texture.

Similarly, when preparing zucchini for air frying, it's important to slice the rounds into thick enough slices that will hold up to the high heat. Depending on your preferences, you can also try slicing your zucchini into thicker half-moon chunks for frying, which would provide excess surface area to add your favorite seasonings. However you choose to enjoy your zucchini, remember that keeping your slices consistent and taking care to get the thickness right will yield the best results.