How to Cut Zucchini

A quick cooking time makes zucchini an ideal addition to weeknight meals. You can sauté and serve it on the side of a main dish, use it to fortify sauces and stir-fries, or even enjoy it raw in salads (it's especially good when it's cut into thin ribbons with a mandoline). If you plan to cook it, try to chop or slice your pieces uniformly so that they cook evenly. Here's a step-by-step on how to cut zucchini like a pro.

Related: How to Cut a Tomato Perfectly Every Time

1. Use a sharp knife to trim away the ends.

2. Slice the fruit crosswise into rounds.

1. Trim the ends as instructed above, then halve the fruit lengthwise.

2. Slice each half crosswise into half moons.

1. Trim and halve the zucchini as instructed above, then slice each half lengthwise into 3 or 4 strips.

2. Chop the strips into bite-size pieces.

1. Trim the ends as instructed above.

2. Use a mandoline to slice the fruit lengthwise into strips, holding the mandoline firmly and taking care to keep your fingers away from the blade. If your mandoline has a guard, use it to hold the fruit in place as you slice.