Zucchini was cultivated in Italy, probably near Milan, as a hybrid from the cucumber. Zucca is the Italian word for squash. Zucchina (zucca + ina = little) is its diminutive, becoming "zucchine" in the plural. The alternative name courgette is from the French word for the vegetable and is commonly used in France, Ireland and the United Kingdom. Delicious zucchini recipes.
