Produce
Zucchini
Zucchini grows quickly and is picked young, keeping residue evidence in the lower third of the produce table. It is also one of the few vegetables that stays cheap all summer.
Organic upgrade priority
Consider organic
Score 31/100 · about $2.00 a week extra for a household of two
- âConventional samples index 53/100 against 15/100 for organic â a 38-point difference.
- âAt about 4 servings a week, the difference applies to a smaller share of what you eat.
- âSample confidence is moderate, so the score is weighted down by 10%.
Key numbers
- Residue evidence
- 53/100
- Moderate residue evidence
- Nutrient density
- 70/100
- Per calorie, across the whole database
- Typical price
- $1.99
- per lb · organic +50%
- Servings a week
- 4
- Per person, at typical purchase volume
- Samples
- 1,313
- Conventional, 2020â2022 · 91 organic
- Data confidence
- Moderate
- Set from sample size and year coverage
Organic vs conventional zucchini
| Measure | Conventional | Organic |
|---|---|---|
| Samples analysed | 1,313 | 91 |
| Program years | 2020â2022 | 2020â2022 |
| Samples with any residue | 78% | 24% |
| Mean residues per sample | 2.4 | 0.6 |
| Samples above the EPA tolerance | 0.08% | 0.00% |
| Relative residue evidence index | 53/100 | 15/100 |
| Typical price | $1.99 / lb | $2.99 / lb |
Nutrition
Per 1 cup sliced (113 g).
21
calories
1.5 g
protein
1.1 g
fiber
â
sugar
- Vitamin C 22% DV
- Vitamin B6 11% DV
- Potassium 8% DV
How to wash zucchini
Rinse and rub; the skin is thin, edible, and holds most of the colour compounds.
Washing reduces surface residue and soil. It does not remove systemic compounds taken up into the plant, and no soap, vinegar, or commercial produce wash has been shown to beat 30 seconds of plain running water by a margin worth paying for. Full washing guide.
Buying and storing
- âSmaller zucchini are denser and less watery. Anything over about 20 cm is mostly seeds and water.
- âSalt and drain grated zucchini before it goes into fritters or bread, or the batter will never set.
Common questions
âšShould I buy organic zucchini?
It is a reasonable upgrade when the budget allows, but not the first one to make. Zucchini scores 31/100 on organic upgrade priority, with conventional samples at 53/100 against 15/100 organic. At about $2.00 extra a week, it competes with several higher-priority items.
âšAre zucchini high in pesticides?
Zucchini shows moderate residue evidence â an index of 53/100 relative to other commodities. Across 1,313 conventional samples from 2020â2022, 78% contained at least one detected residue, averaging 2.4 distinct compounds per sample, and 0.08% exceeded the applicable EPA tolerance. A detection is not the same as an unsafe level.
âšHow much more does organic zucchini cost?
About 50% more at typical U.S. retail â $1.99 per lb conventional against $2.99 organic. For a household of 2 at normal purchase volume that is roughly $2.00 a week.
âšHow should I wash zucchini?
Rinse and rub; the skin is thin, edible, and holds most of the colour compounds.
Related foods
Spinach
$3.29 / 5 oz container · organic $4.49
Kale
$2.79 / bunch · organic $3.79
Broccoli
$2.49 / lb · organic $3.69
Bell peppers
$1.49 / each · organic $2.29