Zucchini or courgette is a versatile vegetable used in many different recipes, ranging from traditional dishes to raw ones. When using zucchini in meals, you usually need to slice them. The most preferred way is to use a mandoline, but not everyone may have one in their kitchen.
So what other options are there, you might be wondering, to slice zucchini without a mandoline?
The simplest alternative to using a mandoline to slice zucchini is to use a sharp kitchen knife to get the job done. There are also a few other cooking utensils that you can use like, a cheese planer, a vegetable peeler, and a food processor. The choice is yours.
Slicing zucchini using a mandoline is the preferred way to do it, but it can be hazardous. Many home chefs and even professional chefs have cut themselves while slicing zucchini with a mandoline. A knife would be the quickest way to cut a zucchini without using a mandoline, but there are also other alternative methods you can choose from to get the job done.
Slicing Zucchini Without the Use of a Mandoline
When slicing zucchini without using a mandoline, there are a few ways you can go about it. You can use a knife, a cheese planer, a vegetable peeler, or even a food processor.
1 – Using a Knife
Using a knife is the preferred way to slice zucchini without using a mandoline. When using a knife, you could slice the zucchini into thin slices or strips depending on the recipe’s requirements. It is advisable to take care not to cut yourself while slicing zucchini.
When using a knife to slice zucchini, you can choose how thick or thin you want to make the slices, depending on the recipe. Some recipes may require that you need pieces of zucchini, while others may require strips.
Hold the knife in your dominant hand when slicing zucchini with a knife and place the zucchini on a cutting board. While holding the zucchini in place with your non-dominant hand, cut the zucchini into slices of preferred thickness. Remember not to get your fingers in the way of the blade of the knife so that you do not accidentally cut yourself.
Using a knife to slice zucchini also makes it possible to do something different with the zucchini instead of just the usual slices. You can even make zucchini noodles for your favorite noodle meals with a knife.
2 – With a Vegetable Peeler
Since most people already have a vegetable peeler in their homes, using a vegetable peeler to slice zucchini into thin slices is probably one of the most convenient ways to cut them.
Using a vegetable peeler to slice zucchini is simple; all you need to do is hold the vegetable peeler in your dominant hand and the zucchini in your non-dominant hand. Peel thin zucchini slices off by peeling away from your hand and body. Remember to apply equal pressure when slicing so that you do not have uneven cuts.
Using a vegetable peeler will help you slice off the slimmest slices of zucchini so it can be used in various recipes.
3 – With a Cheese Planer
Slicing zucchini with a cheese planer is one of the safest ways that you can go about slicing zucchini. A cheese planer is the best substitute for a vegetable peeler if you do not have a peeler at the ready.
Using a cheese planer to slice zucchini will give you thin slices of the zucchini, which you can use for oven-baked recipes, or you can even cut the thin slices into strips and use them as zucchini noodles.
Using a cheese planer to slice zucchini is simple. Place the zucchini on a cutting board, hold the zucchini in place with a fork, and move the cheese planer down the zucchini to slice off thin slices.
4 – Using a Food Processor
Another way to slice your zucchini is by using a food processor, which will only work if your food processor has a slicer attachment. These days most food processors come with at least one slicer attachment.
Using a food processor is also the fastest way to slice your zucchini. Unfortunately, it will not give you very thin slices. Slicing zucchini in a food processor is ideal for salads because most food processors will have an attachment that will slice the zucchini into slices about a quarter of an inch thick.
There are also different sizes of slicer attachments. The thinner the slicer attachment is, the thinner the slices will be, but the opposite is also true, with the fact that the thicker a slicer attachment is, the thicker the pieces will be.
To slice zucchini in a food processor, you need to attach the slicer attachment to the food processor and turn it on. After turning the food processor on, you need to feed the zucchini through the top of the processor to slice it.
Safety When Slicing Zucchini
When slicing zucchini, your safety should come first. Since your tools are very sharp, it can be hazardous to slice zucchini. Whether it is a mandoline, a knife, a vegetable peeler, a cheese planer, or a food processor, you should always take precautions before using it.
When using a mandoline or a knife, you should always know where your fingers are positioned, and it is also best to wear fingertip guards or finger guards when using them.
When using a vegetable peeler to slice off zucchini pieces, you should always peel away from your body and fingers so that you do not accidentally cut yourself while slicing.
Slicing zucchini with a cheese planer is safe, but you should never forget to keep the zucchini in place with a fork so that it does not move and accidentally hurt you. Using a food processor is also safe, as long as you do not stick your hand inside the food processor while using it.
Final Thoughts
When needing to slice zucchini for your favorite recipes, you do not need to worry if you don’t have a mandoline to cut it. There are a few other ways to slice your zucchini in the way you want it to appear. Whether using a knife, a vegetable peeler, a cheese planer, or a food processor, you will find a way to slice it.
Sarah is the founder of Baking Kneads, LLC, a blog sharing guides, tips, and recipes for those learning how to bake. Growing up as the daughter of a baker, she spent much of her childhood learning the basics in a local bakery.