Why zucchini tastes bitter in the garden and what to do

Sometimes, after harvesting, some summer residents notice that zucchini have an unpleasant bitter taste. There are several reasons that can answer the question why zucchini is bitter, but they are not always obvious. To understand the factors that affect the taste of a vegetable, you need to familiarize yourself with the possible mistakes that were made when growing it. Also, gardeners would do well to familiarize themselves with the methods to save the crop in the event of a similar unforeseen situation.

What makes zucchini bitter?

The main reason why zucchini is bitter is that they accumulate cucurbitacins.These substances accumulate in all crops belonging to the gourd family Basically, the plant culture begins to actively accumulate such substances when extreme conditions are formed, for example: with a lack or excess of water, nutrients. Also, a change in quality zucchini, the appearance of a bitter taste may be due to the defeat of the plant by various pathologies, growth in low light conditions.

Cucurbitacins are not toxic substances. Interestingly, they are even useful. These substances have a directed effect against tumors, parasites. Thanks to these properties, cucurbitacins are used in traditional Indian and Chinese medicine.

Despite this, if zucchini is bitter, many summer residents are in no hurry to eat and serve them, in this case, you need to know in advance about the factors that affect the change in the taste of the vegetable in order to avoid their appearance.

Neighborhood of cultures

In most cases, bitter squash grows in the garden when the wrong neighboring crops are located near them. Bitterness is manifested due to the pollination of related plants. So, a zucchini is bitter if it was grown near a decorative pumpkin. Despite its beautiful attractive appearance, it bears fruit with inedible pumpkins, which affect the taste of squash. Also, the crop may be bitter if it was grown near the following plants:

• parsley;
• radishes;
• tomatoes;
• cucumbers;
• potatoes;
• radish;
• pumpkins.

To avoid changing the taste of a vegetable, it should be planted in beds located close to peas, onions, spinach, bush beans.

Irrigation mode

In addition to the wrong neighbors, other growing conditions can also affect the taste of zucchini. Among them are the provision of improper watering. If the summer resident moistens the soil without adhering to a certain regime, nitrogenous compounds begin to accumulate in the leaves and fruits of the vegetable, giving them a bitter taste. Also, bitter zucchini can grow with prolonged rain that began after a drought.

You can preserve the taste of a vegetable, as well as its beneficial properties, by properly watering the crop. This requires following the rules:

• watering should be done regularly;
• for irrigation, it is necessary to use water settled in the sun, while it should not be polluted;
• watering young zucchini so that they do not become bitter daily until the leaves close, and after they cover the ground, the amount of moisture introduced is reduced.

If the weather is hot, the plant culture should be watered after 2-3 days. If it is cloudy outside, one watering will be required in 5-6 days. The liquid must be poured under the root, while irrigating the foliage is not recommended. If the greens began to wither, it must be watered with a watering can. You can replace it with a hose by putting a fine-mesh nozzle on it.

Lighting and feeding rules for zucchini

Another reason why zucchini are bitter is the implementation of improper plant nutrition, as well as the lack of optimal lighting conditions. Zucchini is very sensitive to light, so for their cultivation it is required to select a place in the country, located on the sunny side. At the same time, there should be no drafts, strong winds in the selected area. Also, the fruits can react sharply to the reduction of daylight hours.

In addition to light, zucchini also need to provide proper fertilizing with fertilizers. At the same time, fertilizers should be applied throughout the entire growing season. Best of all, the plant culture responds to the introduction of organic substances. When providing such top dressing for zucchini, they form large fruits and actively develop.

As a fertilizer, it is recommended to use mullein, diluted with water, as well as a three-day fermented herbal infusion. When the plant begins to form ovaries, it is recommended to add superphosphate, wood ash to the composition of the fertilizer. Care must also be taken when fertilizing. This is due to the fact that an excess of phosphorus and potassium can also cause a change in the taste of the vegetable.

Storage conditions for zucchini

Sometimes the taste of zucchini changes after harvest.To avoid this, you need to know how to properly store the harvested crop. Storage of milky zucchini should be carried out at a temperature of 0-2 degrees. In this case, the shelf life of the vegetable is 12-15 days. If you store the crop longer, you need to be prepared for the withering of the pulp, the appearance of rot.

Fully ripe fruits can be stored for 4-5 months. They need to be placed in a cool, ventilated area. The best option is the location of the crop on the veranda or attic. To eliminate the risk of a bitter taste, as well as the spread of rot, it is impossible to store the crop in the cellar.

If the summer resident lives in an apartment, you can put the crop on a warm balcony or in a dark place. Best of all, zucchini retain their taste under the bed, in the closet.

During storage, pay attention to the ambient temperature. This is due to the fact that with its increase, the seeds germinate inside the fruit earlier, which provokes the appearance of a nasty bitter aftertaste.

Diseases of zucchini

Also the taste of zucchini is affected by diseases and pests. Therefore, when growing a crop, it is necessary to carry out the prevention of their appearance. Most often, bitterness appears under the influence of fungal infections. One of the most common pathologies is anthracnose. You can recognize the presence of this disease by the appearance of rounded spots that have a yellowish brown tint. These spots are located on the leaves.

Gradually the leaf plate fades, dries up, becomes covered with holes. The disease spreads during hot weather accompanied by frequent rains.

Another pathology that causes bitterness is Fusarium. The disease can be identified by the presence of yellowing, drying lower leaves. Another symptom of Fusarium is the acquisition of a pinkish hue at the base of the stem.

How to get rid of bitterness?

What to do if bitter zucchini has grown in the garden? To improve the situation and improve the taste of the vegetable, there are several proven methods. So, get rid of bitterness will help:

• soaking zucchini in cold water before canning;
• boil the vegetable in boiling water for a few minutes;
• soaking sliced vegetable in s alt water.

Under the influence of these factors, all bitter substances are destroyed, due to which the taste of zucchini improves. If the hostess wants to cook fried or stewed zucchini, it is best to get rid of bitterness by soaking the pulp in s alt water. The vegetable is cut into several slices and placed in a container with liquid for 3 hours.After that, the slices are removed and used for cooking.

Many housewives recommend against re-s alting the dish, as the pulp of the vegetable absorbs s alt well from the liquid in which it was soaked.

When growing zucchini, you should carefully monitor the growth and development of the crop. This will help identify the factors why the zucchini is bitter. Timely elimination of them will allow you to cope with the deterioration of taste even before the onset of a problem and preserve a tasty harvest. If the trouble nevertheless occurred, the summer resident should not be upset, as there is an opportunity to save the crop. To do this, use one of the above methods.

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