How to Cut Zucchini 8 Different Ways

Zucchini is one of those much-loved vegetables that is available year-round. It's easy to buy and store—and easy to prep, too. To make the most out of this summer squash, you need to know how to cut zucchini properly. Whether you need simple slices, half moons, planks, logs, diced zucchini, grated zucchini, ribbons, or noodles for your recipe, we've got you covered with this comprehensive guide to cutting zucchini.

How to Cut Zucchini

Just about every part of the zucchini is edible—there are no pits or skins that you need to remove. Even the tougher stem end is edible, depending on how you prepare the vegetable. If you’re cooking it by roasting, steaming, or blanching, the stem can actually be quite tasty. Plus, it adds a different texture to the dish. If you’re eating the squash raw, we do recommend slicing this part off. 

Washing Zucchini

Before you start cutting, you should always wash zucchini. The FDA recommends simply rinsing all produce thoroughly under running water and drying them off with a clean towel, whether the fruit is purchased from a farmers’ market or grocery store or picked from your home garden.

The Tools You Need

• Cutting board: First things first, you want to secure your cutting board. The last thing you want is for the board to slip and slide around when you’re handling a sharp knife. You can use a non-slip mat to rest your cutting board on if you have one. Otherwise, a few layers of dampened paper towels will do the job. Just lay the mat on paper towels on your work surface and place the cutting board on top. 
• Sharp chef’s knife: This will be the most important tool in your arsenal, whether you’re using it to slice and dice the zucchini or you’re simply trimming the edges before using another tool. Use a sharp knife that feels comfortable in your hand.

Optional Tools

Depending on how you want to prepare the zucchini, you might need some additional tools. 

• Mandoline slicer: The blades of a mandoline can be adjusted by turning a knob on the side of the slicer. With a mandoline, you can slice zucchini so thin that you can see through it or go as thick as half an inch. 
• Spiralizer: A spiralizer is a super simple way to turn zucchini into swirly noodles. Just set it up in the machine and crank the handle. 
• Box grater: There are two sides of a box grater that we like to use for zucchini–the straight blade and the large holes.

Safety First

You probably have plenty of experience using kitchen knives, but it’s still smart to be cautious. This is especially true if you’re using a tool like a mandoline or box grater. Mandolines generally come with protective finger guards, which help prevent any slips that could lead to scrapes and cuts. If you don’t have one, you can always wrap a clean dish towel around your fingers to use as a protective barrier.

8 Ways to Cut Zucchini

Theoretically, you could create any fun shape you like out of zucchini, but these are the eight main ways that we use regularly in our kitchens.

Rounds

Slicing is one of the simplest ways to cut zucchini. Simply place the zucchini on a cutting board and use your knife to slice the vegetable crosswise into rounds. The slices can be as thick or thin as the recipe calls for. If you want to add a little bit of flair, cut the zucchini on a bias instead of straight across. 

Alternative methods: Using a knife is the easiest way to create rounds, but it can also be done using the straight blade on a box grater or using the mandoline. 

How to use rounds: Depending on the thickness of the rounds, these can be cooked in just about any way. Grill them, roast them, steam them, bake them into cheesy gratins, or coat them in breadcrumbs and fry them until crispy and golden.

Half Moons

If you want something slightly smaller than rounds, cut zucchini into half-moons. Here’s how:

1. Slice the zucchini in half lengthwise. 
2. Place the halves cut-side down on a cutting board.  
3. Slice the zucchini crosswise into half-moon shapes. 

How to use half moons: Use them the same way you would use rounds. Plus, they’re small enough that they can be stirred into minestrone soups or curries.

Planks

No need to trim tops or bottoms when making planks; just use your knife to cut the zucchini lengthwise into ½-to-1-inch slices.

How to use planks: They're ideal for summer grilling. Cut into planks, zucchini's meaty texture holds up so well to the extreme heat of a grill.

Diced

Many recipes will call for diced or chopped zucchini. The size of the pieces can vary from ¼-to-1-inch, depending on how you’re going to use them. To dice zucchini, follow these steps:

1. Cut the zucchini lengthwise into quarters. 
2. Place the pieces cut-side down on a cutting board. 
3. Slice the zucchini crosswise into bite-sized pieces.

How to use diced zucchini: Diced zucchini is delicious simply cooked in a sauté pan with some olive oil and seasonings for a quick side dish. It can also be added to soups.

Spears

Depending on the size of the zucchini, you can create spears by cutting the zucchini into quarters or sixths.

To create large quarter-sized spears: cut the zucchini lengthwise into four parts.

For sixths: slice the zucchini in half lengthwise, then cut each half into thirds. 

How to use zucchini spears: They can be turned into a healthy substitute for fries by coating them in breadcrumbs and cheese and either baking or air-frying them.

Ribbons

If you have great knife skills, you can slice zucchini into thin ribbons using a sharp chef’s knife. Otherwise, this is where a mandoline will come in particularly handy. Adjust the mandoline to a thin setting, then pass the zucchini lengthwise through the blade. 

How to use zucchini ribbons: They can be gently sautéed and eaten warm, piled onto open-faced sandwiches, or used raw in a salad. When they’re sliced thin enough, the zucchini is perfectly pleasant to eat raw–it’s soft but adds a slightly toothsome bite.

Grated

To grate zucchini, simply use a knife to trim off the end and grate against the large holes of a box grater. This technique will leave you with quite a bit of moisture from the zucchini, so if needed, place the grated zucchini in a clean dish towel (or a few layers of paper towels) and squeeze out as much liquid as you can. 

How to use grated zucchini: Use grated zucchini to make zucchini bread and sheet cake, or incorporate it into meatballs and coleslaw.

Spiralized

Zucchini noodles (also known as zoodles) used to be all the rage, and we still love them. They’re a more nutrient-dense alternative to wheat pasta. This is how to make them:

1. Place a zucchini into the spiralizer; it rests horizontally between the spike holder and the crank mechanism. 
2. Once secured, start turning the handle in an even motion. The zoodles will come out the other end.

How to use zucchini noodles: You can use them instead of pasta or even go half-and-half. Swap them in for egg noodles in chicken noodle soup or simply serve them with tomato sauce and meatballs.