Zucchini

ズッキーニ

Looks like a cucumber but belongs to the squash family (Cucurbita pepo). Nagano leads national production (3,040 t), followed by Miyazaki, Gunma, Ibaraki, and Kumamoto. A staple of Italian and French cooking — ratatouille, grilled preparations, pasta — pairing especially well with olive oil. Its clean flavor and heat-friendly texture suit many cuisines

Taste & Texture

Mild, clean flavor that turns tender and silky when cooked. The thin skin is fully edible and carries a gentle sweetness with a subtle grassy note

Season

MONTHLY AVAILABILITY

Jun - Aug

PEAK

※ Season is based on domestic field-grown availability

How to Choose

  • Pick specimens with firm, glossy skin and a fresh stem cut.

  • 15-20 cm is ideal — oversized zucchini tend to be hollow and watery.

How to Store

  • Wrap in plastic and keep in the refrigerator vegetable compartment.

  • Sensitive to cold and drying, so the vegetable drawer is ideal.

Shelf life 4-5 days refrigerated

Nutrition Facts

Production Ranking

Nagano28.7%
Miyazaki24.8%
Gunma14.1%
Ibaraki5.7%
Kumamoto4.2%
Others22.5%
10%+
5%+
2%+
0.1%+
None

Map data: National Land Numerical Information (MLIT Japan)

#
Prefecture
Harvest (t)
Share
1
3,040
28.7%
2
2,620
24.8%
3
1,490
14.1%
4
605
5.7%
5
446
4.2%

Source: MAFF Crop Statistics (2023)

Top 5 Prefecture Harvest Trends (2020-2022)

Nagano
Miyazaki
Gunma
Ibaraki
Kumamoto