It’s summer and you crave to have something crunchy yet hydrating. What could be the best food meeting these requirements? Oh yes! It’s the cucumbers and zucchinis to the rescue!
Cucumber and zucchini are generally categorised under vegetables when they technically come under the characteristics of fruits though both are gourds, they are both green. Cucumber and zucchini are generally confused with each other due to the external structure and the inner texture, yet they have their own characteristics. Due to the similarities they could be used in different ranges of Raita to Pickles and Cake to courgetti.
| DIFFERENCES | Cucumber | Zucchini |
| Family | Cucurbitaceae family | Gourd family |
| Taste | more fresh and juicy | heartier flavour or slightly bitter |
| On cooking | Crumble or soften | Maintain its shape |
| Flowers of the vegetable | Inedible | edible |
| Seeds | Clearly visible in a triangular shape | Not clear in shape shape |
Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family. Other important members of this family include watermelon, muskmelon, pumpkin and squash. Native to India, cucumber is an ancient vegetable. Cave excavations have revealed that cucumber has been grown as a food source for over 3000 years. Early cucumbers were probably very bitter because of compounds they contained called cucurbitacins. These natural defense compounds act to repel insects and other pests. Bitterness still is a problem with some cucumbers today, although great progress has been made by plant breeders to eliminate the bitter compounds.
Coming to Zucchinis, they are part of the gourd family. They are native to Central America and Mexico. Zucchini are grown throughout the United States during the warm, frost free season.
Now that you know Cucumber is bitter when compared to zucchini do you know how to eliminate that bitterness?
We can eliminate the bitterness from the cucumber by slicing the ends of the cucumber and rubbing it to the other end. A white bitter pulp comes out at the edges which indicates a complete removal of the bitterness within the fruit.
Why cucumber is more suitable than zucchini?
There a various reasons to choose cucumber over zucchini, such as
1. Availability : Zucchini mainly came into existence because of the Italians when they introduced it in the United states in the mid 1900’s. Cucumber was found in India, between the northern part of the Bay of Bengal and the Himalayan Mountains. Cucumber has been grown as a food source for over 3000 years.
2. Cost : Zucchini not being a regional fruit of India costs more due to the shipping prices and edibility. Cucumber costs around INR 36 per kg approximately but Zucchini costs around INR 120 per kg approximately.
3.Benefits : Cucumber has a lot of nutrients which helps to detox our body. Cucumber has low carbohydrate which helps to regulate blood glucose levels. The high water content in cucumbers keeps our body hydrated. Added to that the rest of the weight of the vegetable is rich in fibre which aids in digestion. Many studies have shown the benefits of cucumber in the cancer studies such as breast cancer, colorectal cancer. Cucumber has anti-inflammatory compounds which reduces skin irritation, rashes and diseases. Zucchinis are equally fibrous as cucumbers yet are used for baking purposes.
4. Nutritive value : Cucumbers are naturally low in calories, carbohydrates, sodium, fat and cholesterol. 1 Cup of cucumber provides only 15 calories, 3.63gm carbohydrate and 0.5gm fiber. Cucumber has a low glycemic index , low in fat and protein content.
Moreover, Cucumbers are naturally high in water so their relative concentration of nutrients is low. Even though cucumbers contain potassium, magnesium, vitamin C, folate, beta carotene, and vitamin K.
Here the nutritional information of cucumber and zucchini :
| Nutrient | Cucumber (100 gm) |
Zucchini (100 gm) |
| Calories | 15 Kcal | 16 Kcal |
| Fat | 0.11 gm | 0.18 gm |
| Saturated Fat | 0.03 gm | 0.03 gm |
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0 mg |
| Sodium | 2 mg | 10 mg |
| Carbohydrate | 3.63 gm | 3.35 gm |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.5 gm | 1.1 gm |
| Sugar | 1.67 gm | 1.73 gm |
| Protein | 0.65 gm | 1.21 gm |
| Potassium | 147 mg | 262 mg |
There are a lot of differences between cucumber and zucchini. Whether you want to consider the fruits or vegetables, cucumbers and zucchini can be used in many yummy ways. Go enjoy them while they’re fresh. Cucumbers are those friends for your stomach which will fetch your hunger and thirst at the same time at a minimum cost price since it’s easily available all over in the Indian market.
So…. Nothing to eat? Grab a cucumber!
Plain curd boring? Grab a cucumber!
Dry salad? Grab a cucumber!
Want to have Chapathi without an oily curry? NO PROBLEM Grab a cucumber!
One vegetable serves the benefit for all the recipes!
