Short Answer: If you accidentally eat bad zucchini, you may get sick from the high level of cucurbitacins, which are bitter compounds that can cause food poisoning.
Zucchini is a type of summer squash that has a thin and edible skin and a whitish flesh with small seeds.
It is rich in potassium, magnesium, and vitamin A, and has a mild and slightly sweet flavor.
Zucchini can be eaten raw or cooked in various ways, such as frying, baking, grilling, or steaming.
If you accidentally eat bad zucchini, you may experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps.
This is because bad zucchini can have a high level of cucurbitacins, which are bitter compounds that can cause food poisoning.
Cucurbitacins are naturally present in zucchini and other squash, but they are usually at a low and harmless level.
However, when zucchini goes bad, the cucurbitacins level can increase and become toxic.
It is quite uncommon to eat bad zucchini due to its obvious signs of spoilage.
Bad zucchini will feel rubbery or slimy to the touch, and it may have an off-putting smell and dark or fuzzy moldy spots.
The interior of bad zucchini may be off-white to brownish with stringy, mushy flesh and large, hard seeds.
You can prevent food poisoning from bad zucchini by discarding any zucchini that looks or smells rotten, or that has been stored for too long.
Fresh zucchini can be stored on the counter for two to three days, or in the fridge for up to a week.
You can also slice, blanch, and freeze zucchini for up to three months.
To avoid eating bad zucchini, always check the skin, flesh, and smell of the zucchini before consuming it.
Finally, remember, zucchini is a healthy and versatile vegetable that can be enjoyed in many ways.
However, it can also go bad and cause food poisoning if not stored or handled properly.
Therefore, always be careful and cautious when dealing with zucchini.