Different uses for marrow

09 Apr, 2021

Zucchini (otherwise known as courgettes) are easy to grow and look after from spring to summer, but sometimes we forget to pick them before they get too big and we are left with large marrows, which have little to no taste. We are usually told that these are only good as farm-animal food, but actually they can still be used in a range of ways.

1. Use as a soup thickener

When you’re making a hearty soup from veggies you have either harvested or bought, marrow can be added to change the consistency. Add half a cooked marrow (chopped, boil in a pot of water until soft) to a large pot of soup to thicken it. You can use it the same way in stews.

2. Make marrow boats

Like zucchini boats, but larger. Chop the marrows in half, and take out all the maturing seeds. Cook in the oven gently until the flesh is soft, before filling them with mince, capsicum, onion, cheese and a touch of garlic and salt to taste. They will then need to be baked in the oven for longer than you would zucchinis in order to soften the skin.

3. Save the seeds

If the marrow was an heirloom variety of zucchini, you can collect and save the seeds that are in the veggie for next season — no need to buy more seeds! Wash the pulp off them and dry completely in a sunny window before storing them in a small paper bag to keep for one year, or an airtight bag for two years. Note: If your plant is a hybrid or open-pollinated variety, your new-season plants may not look or fruit the same way as your originals.

4. Use as you would a zucchini

As long as you finely chop the marrow, take off the skin and take away the seed pulp, you can use it just as you would a zucchini. It won’t add much flavour to dishes but is a great healthy filler to stir-fries!

5. Oven-bake marrow with potatoes

Roasting potatoes in the oven to serve as a side dish is wonderful, and there is no reason why you can’t do this with marrows too! Add oil, salt and season all veggies, pop the potatoes in first for ten minutes, and then add in the marrow. Everything is cooked through when both veggies are golden brown. (Or cook on the BBQ with butter, salt and pepper!)

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