Bitter zucchini can occur in the garden or in the supermarket. We explain how the bitter substances get into the zucchini and how dangerous they are.
Every now and then a zucchini fruit in the garden can taste bitter. But how dangerous is the bitter substance and can zucchini be poisonous? In this article, we explain the poisonous cucurbitacin in zucchini.
Can zucchini be poisonous?
The courgettes (Cucurbita pepo subsp. pepo convar. giromontiina) belong to the large Cucurbitaceae family. Many species of this family naturally form toxic bitter substances, the so-called cucurbitacins. They have been reduced in some species by breeding to such an extent that we can now find cucumbers (Cucumis sativus), squash (Cucurbita maxima, C. moschata &C. pepo) and can also enjoy zucchini without hesitation. Sometimes, however, crossbreeding or a spontaneous reverse mutation can result in the genes for bitter substance production appearing again or in greater numbers. As a result, squash and zucchini taste bitter. Cucurbitacin is toxic to humans; ingestion causes nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. For example, in 2015, a pensioner ate very bitter zucchini from home-grown seeds in a casserole and tragically died as a result.
Can homegrown zucchini be poisonous?
In the case of self-rearing through seeds and reverse mutations, it is quite possible that the dangerous bitter substance in the pumpkin plants is formed again. Some zucchini fruits also take on a slightly bitter taste when growing conditions are not particularly good. If the plants are stressed, for example due to extreme heat or insufficient water supply, bitter courgettes can also form.
Can supermarket zucchini be poisonous?
In exceptional cases you can also find courgettes with cucurbitacin in the supermarket, although the growers are certifieduse seeds. As with bitter gourds, it is a natural phenomenon that can never be completely ruled out due to spontaneous reverse mutation or non-pure, crossed seeds.
How do I recognize poisonous zucchini?
The plant emits clear warning signals when it contains cucurbitacin: through an extremely bitter taste and smell. If a zucchini tastes bitter and inedible, then it should never be eaten! It is a misconception that the bitter substances in zucchini are particularly he althy.
In addition, not only raw courgettes are affected, but also cooked dishes with these types of vegetables pose a risk, because the bitter substance is not destroyed when heated. To be really sure, it's a good idea to try a raw piece before eating a homegrown zucchini. With the normal zucchini taste, the mild, sometimes almost sweet aroma should spread in the mouth. Discard the courgettes if they taste bitter.
Only controlled crossed seeds should be used in the home garden as a preventive measure. Zucchini are naturally cross-pollinators, the plants form purely male and purely female flowers. They can easily crossbreed with butternut squash and the like. If you want to harvest zucchini seeds yourself, pollination must be done by hand in the early hours of the morning and the fruit must be marked after successful pollination. It is particularly important here to gently close the flower that would open the following day, preferably with a paper band or something similar. In this way you can prevent insects with foreign pollen from forestalling manual pollination. Even after pollination, the flower must be closed again and thus made inaccessible until the fruit develops. If you are not quite sure which species your zucchini has crossed with, you should use controlled seeds from specialist shops and not continue cultivating your own seeds.
Eaten bitter zucchini: what to do?
Zucchini poisoning with cucurbitacin is first noticed within minutes to hours after eating by the typical signs of poisoning: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea as well as headaches and dizziness can be the first signs. If you have eaten a bitter zucchini and develop discomfort or any of the above symptoms, see a doctor immediately.
On oneBlick: Why bitter zucchini can be poisonous
- Actually, the natural bitter substances in zucchini were bred so far away that they are no longer toxic to humans.
- Due to crossbreeding, reverse mutations or poor growth conditions, the toxic bitter substance cucurbitacin can still appear in zucchini.
- To prevent bitter zucchini in your own garden, you should only use controlled seeds.
- Rarely, zucchini from the supermarket can also contain the poisonous cucurbitacin.
- Do not eat bitter smelling or tasting zucchini!
- Symptoms of zucchini poisoning: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, dizziness.
Some bitter fruits can be prevented with the right care of zucchini. We give you tips on water requirements, fertilization, diseases and pests.