June 2026: Black Beauty Zucchini

Basket of Black Beauty Zucchini

This month’s seed kit features Black Beauty Zucchini.

Black Beauty Zucchini

Black Beauty zucchini is one of the easiest and most productive crops in a garden. These summer squash seeds will produce lots of zucchini up until the first frost.

Planting Instructions

Culture:

Direct sow after all danger of frost has passed. Choose a sunny location with loose, rich soil. Place seeds about 1 inch deep and about 4-6 inches apart After the plants grow their second set of leaves, thin to 36-48 inches apart, keeping the best starts.

Water:

Keep soil moist, but not saturated, until seedlings emerge in 4–14 days. Then provide regular moisture and avoid getting the leaves wet. Uneven or overwatering may lead to blossom end rot and loss of fruit. Mulch to retain the moisture and keep the roots cool.

Harvest:

Black Beauty zucchini is ready to harvest in 60 – 70 days after sowing, when they are nearly black and up to 8 inches long. If it gets too large, zucchini will become starchy and less flavorful. To harvest, clip the vine near the top of the stem. Do not twist it off. Harvest frequently to encourage more fruit production. The plant may continue fruiting throughout the summer until the first frost.

More About Black Beauty Zucchini

The Black Beauty Zucchini is a popular variety of summer squash. It was bred at the Connecticut Agriculture Experiment Station by crossing the 'Salerno' and 'Caserta' varieties. It was introduced to the public in 1957. That same year, the variety received the respected All-American Selections award.

Like all squash, the Black Beauty Zucchini can trace its origins to Mesoamerica, a large culturally and historically significant region of North America. This area includes present-day Central and Southern Mexico, and Central America, including Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, and portions of Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica.

Squash--or Cucurbita as it is known in Latin--was brought to Europe in the 1700s by explorers returning from the "New World". Zucchini was later cultivated in Italy in the 1800s. The name “zucchini” comes from the Italian word "zucca", which means gourd. Zucchini means "little gourd."

The Black Beauty Zucchini grows quickly and produces lots of fruit. It’s also a compact bush-type variety, making it perfect for small garden spaces. This variety is known for its very dark green fruit and mildly sweet flavor. It can be used in many recipes. It is also an excellent source for vitamins A, C, B3, B9, and potassium.

Zucchini Fritters

Serves: 4 Prep time: 30 minutes Cook Time: 10-15 minutes

Ingredients:

2 medium zucchinis, grated
1 tsp. kosher salt
4 scallions, sliced
2 tbsp. dill, chopped
2 tbsp. mint, chopped
4 oz. feta cheese, crumbled
1 egg, beaten
½ c. flour
4 tbsp. breadcrumbs
¼ tsp. ground black pepper
2–3 tbsp. olive oil for frying

Instructions:

Grate zucchini using large holes on a box grater. Add zucchini to a bowl, toss with salt and let sit for 15 minutes.
Place grated zucchini into a cheesecloth or clean kitchen towel and squeeze out as much water as possible.
In a bowl, mix the grated zucchini with scallions, dill, mint, feta cheese, egg, flour, breadcrumbs, and ground black pepper. Mix until mixture holds together loosely. If mixture is watery, add 1–2 tbsp of flour.
Heat 2-3 tbsp. olive oil in a sauté pan over medium heat, Scoop 2 tbsp. of mixture into the pan, flatten slightly and cook for 3-4 minutes per side until golden and crispy. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
Serve with Tzatziki or Greek yogurt.

Craft: Zucchini Bathtub Boat

You’ll Need:

1 large zucchini
Small knife (used with adult supervision)
Spoon
Optional:
- Toothpicks
- Small Post-It note
- Lego People

Instructions:

Cut zucchini in half lengthwise
Using the spoon, scoop out seeds
Decorate boat and add people as desired
Float your boat in bathtub, sink, or pool!
For fun: See how much your boats will carry. Load them with small objects such as marbles or pebbles until they start to sink.