Here’s the thing: all zucchini are green summer squash, but not all green summer squash are zucchini. Think of it like squares and rectangles. Zucchini is a specific Italian heirloom variety, while green summer squash is a broader category that includes pattypans, crooknecks, and eight-ball types.
The real giveway is the shape. Zucchini are typically long, straight, and cylindrical, with a subtle flare at the stem. Other green summer squashes—like the round, scalloped pattypan—look like they belong in a Dr. Seuss illustration.
Fun fact: The word “zucchini” comes from Italian zucca, meaning “small gourd.” In France and the U.K., they call it courgette. No matter the name, it’s the same versatile friend in your crisper drawer.
