Courgette growing in the ground with flower.

Courgette Season in Full Bloom – From Plot to Plate

Ah, the humble courgette. A summer staple, and for many of our green-thumbed friends across Scotland, one of the most rewarding vegetables to grow. Whether you’re nurturing a few plants in your garden or have an allotment bursting with green, there’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of harvesting your own courgettes—and now is the time.

Here at Loch Leven’s Larder, we’re celebrating everything courgette. This season’s crop is arriving daily, grown in rich Scottish soil and ripened under surprisingly generous sunshine, these courgettes are firm, fresh, and packed with flavour.

Why We Love Courgettes

Courgettes are incredibly versatile, they are mild, tender, and soak up flavour like a dream. They’re low in calories but high in versatility. Grilled, spiralized, baked, or even eaten raw—courgettes can handle it all. And they’re at their peak from late spring to early autumn, making them a seasonal must-have.

Courgettes shine grilled with a drizzle of Scottish rapeseed oil (think Summer Harvest Oil or Cullisse Oil), shredded into fritters, tossed through pasta, or even spiralled into ribbons for a refreshing summer salad.

Got a few extras? They make a mean chocolate cake too.

More than just a delicious veg, courgettes are rich in vitamin C, potassium, and antioxidants—all while being low in calories. It’s the kind of food that tastes good and does good.

Five Delicious Ways to Use Courgette

1. Grilled Courgette Ribbons with Lemon & Feta Slice courgettes thinly lengthwise, grill until soft and charred, then toss with lemon zest, olive oil, crumbled feta, and mint. A perfect BBQ side.

2. Courgette Fritters with Yogurt Dip Grate courgettes, squeeze out the moisture, mix with herbs, egg, and flour, and pan-fry until golden. Dip in garlicky yogurt for a quick snack or lunch.

Grilled Courgettes with Warm Yoghurt and Saffron Butter Instructions

3. Raw Courgette Salad with Pine Nuts & Parmesan Use a vegetable peeler to create ribbons. Add rocket, toasted pine nuts, lemon juice, and shaved parmesan for a light, summery salad.

4. Courgette & Basil Pesto Pasta Blend sautéed courgettes with basil, garlic, parmesan, and olive oil for a creamy pesto sauce that’s perfect on pasta or grilled chicken.

5. Chocolate Courgette Cake Yes, really. Courgettes add moisture and tenderness to chocolate cakes without any veggie taste—think rich, fudgy, and surprisingly wholesome.

Kitchen Tip: Don’t Waste the Blossoms!

Courgette flowers are delicate, slightly sweet, and incredible when stuffed with ricotta and lightly fried

Closing Thoughts:

Courgettes are one of those ingredients that reward creativity and celebrate the best of summer cooking. Whether you’re sneaking them into cakes or grilling them with gusto, there’s no wrong way to enjoy these green beauties.