Zucchini for Babies

Zucchini is a mild summer squash that's often one of the very first vegetables babies try, and for good reason. It's one of the least allergenic vegetables available, softens easily when cooked, and has a neutral flavor that makes it a natural base for introducing herbs and spices later on. Botanically it's actually a fruit, though nobody treats it that way at the dinner table.

It's also mostly water, which helps keep babies hydrated, especially in hot weather or once solids start replacing some milk feeds, alongside vitamin C, vitamin A, potassium, and folate for immune and cell development. Because the taste is so gentle, zucchini rarely gets rejected outright, even by babies who are picky about stronger vegetables.

It's forgiving to prepare, too. Steamed until soft for an early puree, cut into thick strips for gnawing, or diced small once a pincer grasp develops, zucchini adapts to whatever stage a baby is at without much fuss, and leftover cooked zucchini keeps well in the fridge for a couple of days.