How to avoid bitter courgettes: Tips for safe consumption

It is versatile, tasty, affordable, and available at any market. All this makes courgette one of our favourite vegetables in the summer. However, it should not always be consumed. We offer advice on what to look out for.

Can this delicious, delicate courgette be hazardous to health? Unfortunately, yes. That's why it's essential to know when not to eat it, as it can become poisonous.

Courgette is usually completely safe to eat and is even highly recommended. It contains many vitamins and minerals that benefit our body. Among them are vitamins A, C, and K and fibre, which supports the digestive system. Another advantage of courgette is its low-calorie content while being high in nutrients. This vegetable hydrates well, so it is particularly recommended during hot weather. It is also a source of antioxidants that help combat free radicals, protecting cells from damage.

When does the problem arise? When the concentration of cucurbitacins in courgette is high. These natural chemical compounds are found in cucurbit plants but can become toxic in large amounts. It's easy to recognise, as the courgette tastes bitter. Increased concentrations of cucurbitacins usually appear in vegetables grown under unsuitable conditions, for instance, during drought or when vegetables are exposed to pest attacks.

Eating poisonous courgettes can lead to severe health issues. Symptoms of poisoning often include stomach pains, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and, in extreme cases, even kidney dysfunction. Therefore, it is crucial to always pay attention to the taste of courgette before adding it to a dish. If you detect bitterness, it's better to avoid eating it.

When the bitterness is mild, you can remove it from the courgette. Peel the vegetable and cut it into smaller pieces, for example, into slices. Then, generously sprinkle them with salt and wait about 30 minutes before rinsing the courgette under running water. However, it is essential to note that this procedure does not guarantee with absolute certainty that the vegetable will no longer be bitter. Completely removing the unpleasant taste of courgette, cucumbers, or other cucumbers is impossible.