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How to harvest courgettes

Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
in Fruit & veg

As a 1st time grower, folk here have already warned me that I would soon be overwhelmed with courgettes and it's coming to that time.
I've had 3 over the last week, and today there are another 5 ready.
But how should I remove them from the plant?
There's no space to get scissors or even a small knife to cut the stem, so I've been twisting them off which results in the stem still being attached to the plant and a hole in my courgette where the stem was.

What's the correct way to harvest them?

Thanks


Billericay - Essex

Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.

Posts

  • treehugger80treehugger80 Posts: 1,923

    i wouldn't snap/twist them off it can leave a ragged wound for fungi to get in. I use a thin filleting knife (its only about 1/2 inch wide) that can usually get to the stem of the courgette, remember you can remove leaves if you have access trouble - just don't remove too many.

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147

    And if you run out of ideas of what to do with your courgettes, this unusual recipe for courgette cake is absolutely delicious ... best we've ever tasted ... I made several last year ... they disappeared in a flash 

    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/foodanddrink/recipes/11726744/Honey-and-Co-book-Courgette-golden-raisin-and-pistachio-cake.html 

    image


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340

    Thanks th and Dove.
    I watched some you tube vids of people harvesting them and they seemed to have a short stalk. Mine are rammed in between sets of leaves with a stalk about 1/4" long and surrounded by leaf stalks. I've managed to sort of cut 6 off with a thin filleting knife, but there's some damage to the plant and raggedy edges I can't get to - just hope it's ok - and that future courgettes have a stalk.
    Then I wondered what to do with them... I cut one length ways into strips, smeared a little o.oil and seasoning and griddled them then made a toastie cheese, onion and courgette sarnie. It was very nice.

    Thanks for the recipe Dove. My neighbour made a courgette cake last year and offered me some - I declined.... But she's getting the other 5 I've just harvested - and 6 cucumbers! So maybe I'll get a slice of courgette and cucumber cake.....

    Growing all this veg is quite easy - the difficult bit is knowing what to do with it all - there's only me and the dog!


    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147

    When you get really swamped you can try this too

     https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/681665/crunchy-courgette-pickle 

    and this

    https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/1577642/courgette-potato-and-cheddar-soup 

    and do try that cake ... it really is very tasty ... it doesn't taste like a vegetable. 


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340

    Thanks Dove - I'm a big fan of soups usually making it in 7 litre batches, so the courgette one will be made, sounds lovely. I've printed the recipe. The pickle sounds nice, but tbh it'll end up in the back of the fridge with the rest of them :) And I will make that cake, very healthy - I eat way too much choccie (due to a digestive problem I'm almost unable to digest fats, so no matter how much I eat I can't put on weight, but I don't find it too much of a problem :)
    My fave for a long time is broccoli and wensleydale - just over a litre of veg stock and the rest is broccoli with some onion and leek - and cheese - thick and scrummy.

    I made a spanakopita on mon eve with spinach and chard I had - delicious hot and utterly sublime cold (with the top refreshed under the grill)

    I usually grow 4 tomato plants in my little g/house and 1 in a basket which is more than enough for me and the neighbours - this year I have 9 in the border in my new g/h and 2 in hanging baskets image
    Will have to have a Tomatina festival in the back garden in Sept :)

    Thanks for the ideas Dove


    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    Dovefromabove says:

    And if you run out of ideas of what to do with your courgettes, this unusual recipe for courgette cake is absolutely delicious ... best we've ever tasted ... I made several last year ... they disappeared in a flash 

    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/foodanddrink/recipes/11726744/Honey-and-Co-book-Courgette-golden-raisin-and-pistachio-cake.html 

    image

    See original post

     That cake is so good I'm surprised it's legal! so moist and spongy, golden crunchy top with a hint of spices and and roast pistachios, it's gorgeous - AND it has zero calories because the courgettes balance out all the oil and sugar! - thanks Dove
    There's no way you can tell there are courgettes in there, but I think 4 slices should equal 1 of my 5 :)

    Will be trying the others that you and Philippa kindly suggested soon


    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147

    Glad you like it Pete ... it is the best cake ever isn't it ...  but I didn't promise it was legal image


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





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