Zucchini ‘Black Beauty’, Cucurbita pepo, is a classic heirloom zucchini producing handsome, smooth, very dark green fruit that can appear almost black. Beneath the glossy skin is tender, creamy-white to pale green flesh with a mild, slightly sweet flavour. It is a reliable and productive variety that has remained popular with home gardeners for generations.

Black Beauty has an interesting history. Zucchini itself developed in Italy from squashes introduced to Europe from the Americas. Indigenous peoples of the Americas had been cultivating Cucurbita pepo for thousands of years before squash reached Europe following European contact with the Americas.

Italian growers gradually selected varieties specifically for harvesting while the fruits were young and tender, creating the zucchini types we recognise today.

Black Beauty is an American heirloom developed during the early 20th century. It was introduced commercially in the United States during the 1920s and became an enormously popular home-garden variety. Its productivity, compact bush habit and exceptionally dark fruit helped it become a favourite, and it is still widely grown around the world approximately a century later.

Black Beauty produces long, cylindrical fruit with smooth, glossy, exceptionally dark green skin. The colour becomes increasingly dark as the fruit develops, sometimes appearing virtually black in certain light.

For the best flavour and texture, harvest the zucchini while they are young, generally around 15–20 cm long. At this size the skin is tender, the seeds are barely developed and the flesh is wonderfully succulent.

Black Beauty Zucchini is nutritious while being naturally low in calories. It provides vitamin C, vitamin B6, potassium, folate and manganese, together with dietary fibre.

The dark skin also contains carotenoids and other naturally occurring antioxidant plant compounds, so there is generally no reason to peel young fruit. Simply wash it and enjoy the skin along with the flesh.

Black Beauty is an incredibly versatile vegetable in the kitchen. It can be grilled, barbecued, roasted, steamed, sautéed or stir-fried and is wonderful in pasta dishes, casseroles, soups, vegetable bakes and curries.

It can also be grated into fritters, savoury muffins, zucchini slice and breads. Very young zucchini can be sliced thinly and eaten raw in salads.

The flowers are edible too. The enormous golden-yellow blossoms can be stuffed with cheese and herbs, lightly battered and fried or added to other savoury dishes.

If harvesting flowers for eating, choose mainly the male flowers. These are carried on long, slender stems, whereas the female flowers have a tiny developing zucchini immediately behind them.

Black Beauty grows as a compact, bushy plant rather than producing the long wandering vines of many pumpkins. However, don’t let the word compact fool you – a mature zucchini plant can still become quite substantial, with enormous leaves spreading approximately 90–120 cm across.

The plants produce separate male and female flowers. Male flowers commonly appear first, sometimes causing gardeners to wonder why their plant isn’t producing zucchini. Female flowers generally begin appearing as the plant becomes larger and more established.

Bees are extremely important for carrying pollen from male to female flowers. If a tiny zucchini begins developing but then turns yellow and shrivels, incomplete pollination is often responsible.

Black Beauty loves warmth, sunshine and rich soil. Choose a position receiving full sun and improve the soil with plenty of compost or well-rotted organic matter before planting.

Regular deep watering is important, particularly once plants begin flowering and producing fruit. Water around the base whenever possible rather than repeatedly wetting the foliage, as zucchini leaves can be susceptible to powdery mildew.

Black Beauty is wonderfully productive. Once the plant starts producing, check underneath those enormous leaves regularly because zucchini have an extraordinary ability to hide. A perfectly sized fruit can seemingly turn into a giant marrow almost overnight!

Under suitable growing conditions, Black Beauty can begin producing approximately 45–60 days after sowing.

How to Grow From Seed:

Sow Zucchini Black Beauty during spring and summer once the danger of frost has passed and the soil is reliably warm.

Sow seeds directly into their permanent position or start them in individual pots. Plant approximately 2–3 cm deep and keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.

Seeds generally germinate quickly in warm conditions, usually within approximately 5–10 days.

If starting plants in pots, transplant them carefully once they have developed several true leaves. Zucchini don’t particularly appreciate root disturbance, so individual pots are preferable to crowded seed trays.

Space plants approximately 80–100 cm apart to provide enough room for their large foliage and plenty of airflow.

Choose a sunny position with fertile, well-drained soil. Adding compost or well-rotted organic matter before planting will help support the plant’s rapid growth and heavy fruit production.

Water deeply and regularly during flowering and fruit development. Mulching around the plants will help retain moisture, suppress weeds and protect the relatively shallow roots during hot weather.

Once zucchini begin appearing, harvest frequently. For the finest texture and flavour, pick Black Beauty at approximately 15–20 cm long, although smaller baby zucchini are delicious too.

Cut the fruit from the plant using a knife or secateurs rather than pulling or twisting it from the stem.

Frequent picking encourages the plant to keep producing new flowers and fruit. With just a few happy Black Beauty plants, you may eventually reach that wonderful stage familiar to zucchini growers everywhere – wondering how on earth you’re going to use all the zucchini they keep giving you!