Difference between pumpkin and zucchini
Main difference
The main difference between squash and zucchini is that squash is a summer or winter squash, or round and flattened in shape, while zucchini is a long, often cylindrical summer squash.
Zucchini vs. Zucchini
Squash can be summer or winter squash, while zucchini is a summer squash. Squash can vary in size and shape, such as round and flattened, while zucchini is usually a long, cylindrical squash. Pumpkins are generally harvested at the end of the year, October or November and are harvested small because they lose their tenderness when lengthened; on the other hand, zucchini is harvested in late summer, August and September. Squash can be roasted, pureed into soup, or seeded for oil; By contrast, zucchini is extremely flavorful and is cooked alone or with other vegetables and can be roasted, steamed, baked, or fried.Both squash and zucchini belong to the same genus Cucurbita, but are members of different species. The squash is a member of the mixed species, maxima, moschata, and pepo; on the other side, zucchini is the member of the pepo species. Pumpkin has many health and nutritional benefits, just as zucchini is also a source of nutritional and health-enhancing value.
Comparative chart
| Squash | Zucchini |
| Squash is a summer or winter squash or round and flat in shape. | Zucchini is a long and often cylindrical summer squash. |
| Taxonomy | |
| Member of the mixed species, maxima, moschata and pepo | Member of specie pepo and Cucurbita |
| Harvest | |
| Harvest at the end of the year, October or November. | Harvest in late summer, August and September. |
| Culinary uses | |
| Rost, puree for soup, or remove seeds for oil | It is cooked on its own or with other vegetables and can be grilled, steamed, baked or fried. |
| Size | |
| Round and flattened | Long and cylindrical |
| Colour | |
| Yellow | Intense green color, golden yellow color. |
| Medicinal value | |
| Helps digestion, keeps blood pressure low, helps prevent colon cancer | A powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory agent, it produces collagen. |
Pumpkin is technically a fruit but it is cooked as a vegetable. They have very different varieties and are grouped into “summer squash” or “winter squash.” Pumpkin is usually harvested at the end of the year, October or November. Summer squash are harvested when they are small and squishy, while winter squashes are harvested when fully grown. The squash can vary in size and shape, such as round and flattened and usually yellow. Since they are technically fruit, they are served fresh in salads or can be roasted, pureed to make soup, or removed from the seeds for oil. The squash belongs to the genus Cucurbita and is a member of the mixed species, maxima, moschata, and pepo.
Types
- Hubbard Pumpkin
- Butternut squash
- Pumpkins
- Zucchini
- Acorn squash
- Summer squash
Health benefits
Pumpkin has many health benefits. It contains 10% of the recommended daily allowance of dietary fiber, which helps lower cholesterol, keep blood pressure low, aid digestion, and help prevent colon cancer. Pumpkin contains a high level of vitamin A, which helps improve lung health. In winter squash, folic acid helps protect against congenital disabilities, while in summer squash, zucchini promotes cardiovascular health.
Nutrition
The average raw summer squash has 16 calories, 1.1 g of fiber, 3.4 g of carbohydrates, 0.2 g of fat, 2.2 g of sugar, 1.2 g of protein, and 95 g of water. It has 17% of vitamin B6, 12% of the recommended value of riboflavin and 20% of vitamin C.
What is zucchini?
Zucchini is summer squash. Harvest in late summer, August and September. Zucchini vary in size and shape and are often long, cylindrical gourds that are dark green or golden yellow in color. Zucchini is extremely flavorful and is cooked on its own or with other vegetables and can be grilled, steamed, boiled, broiled, baked or fried and served as a flavorful side dish. Zucchini flowers are a deep-fried delicacy and can also be used to bake loaves of bread. Zucchini belongs to the genus Cucurbita and a member of the pepo species.
- Golden zucchini: Has a milder flavor.
- Round or Globe Zucchini: It is 3 inches in diameter and specially designed for filling.
Health benefits
Zucchini in particular is a source of vitamin C, which is an anti-inflammatory agent and a powerful antioxidant and helps blood cells work better. In zucchini, potassium helps lower blood pressure by reducing the harmful effects of salts on our body, and manganese helps the body produce collagen, which is beneficial for healthy skin. It also promotes cardiovascular health.
Nutrition
Zucchini has 3.4 g of carbohydrates, 16 calories, 1.1 g of fiber, 1.2 g of protein, and only 1.7 g of sugar and 0 g of fat. It also contains 11% vitamin B6, 8% riboflavin, and 28% of the recommended daily intake of vitamin C.
Key differences
- Squash can be summer or winter squash, while zucchini is a summer squash.
- Squash can vary in size and shapes, such as round and flattened, while zucchini is usually a long, cylindrical squash.
- Pumpkins are generally harvested at the end of the year, October or November and are harvested small because they lose their tenderness when lengthened; on the other hand, zucchini is harvested in late summer, August and September.
- Squash can be roasted, pureed into soup, or seeded for oil; on the contrary, zucchini is very tasty and is cooked alone or with other vegetables and can be roasted, steamed, baked or fried.
- Both squash and zucchini belong to the same genus Cucurbita, but are members of different species.
- The squash is a member of the mixed species, maxima, moschata, and pepo; on the other hand, zucchini is a member of the pepo species.
- Pumpkin aids digestion, keeps blood pressure low, helps prevent colon cancer; on the contrary, zucchini is a powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory agent, produces collagen.
The above discussion concludes that squash is a flat, round or summer squash, while zucchini is a long and often cylindrical summer squash.
