Is a zucchini a fruit or a vegetable?

Zucchini is a type of summer squash that is often used in savory dishes. While many people may assume that zucchini is a vegetable, it is actually classified as a fruit.

Botanically speaking, a fruit is defined as the mature ovary of a flowering plant, usually containing seeds. In the case of zucchini, the plant flowers and produces a swollen ovary that we commonly refer to as the zucchini fruit.

However, from a culinary perspective, zucchini is often treated as a vegetable due to its savory flavor and how it is used in cooking. It is commonly used in dishes such as ratatouille, zucchini bread, and grilled zucchini.

Botanically speaking, zucchini is a fruit. This is because it is a seed-bearing structure that develops from the ovary of a flowering plant, whereas vegetables are all other plant parts, such as roots, leaves and stems.

However, zucchini is generally considered a vegetable in culinary settings. This is because it is savory and not sweet, and it is typically used in savory dishes such as salads, soups, and stews.