What it means
کدو سبز (kadu sabz) is zucchini, known as courgette in British English. Both parts of the name are native Persian words: کدو is the old Iranian word for gourd or squash, and سبز means green, so the name simply means green gourd. It distinguishes this slim, smooth summer squash from the sweeter winter varieties such as کدو حلوایی (kadu halvâyi), the pumpkin. In informal speech کدو سبز is often shortened to just کدو when context is clear.
How to use it
- کدو سبز داریم؟ (kadu sabz dârim?) “Do we have zucchini?”
- کدو سبز رو خلالی خرد کن. (kadu sabz ro khalâli khord kon.) “Julienne the zucchini.”
- توی خورش کدو سبز انداختم. (tu-ye khoresh-e kadu sabz andâkhtam.) “I added zucchini to the stew.”
- کدو سبز تازه بهتره. (kadu sabz tâze behtare.) “Fresh zucchini is better.”
Cultural note
Zucchini is a fixture in Iranian home cooking, appearing in stews such as خورش کدو (khoresh-e kadu), stuffed dishes (کدو شکمپر, kadu shekam-por), and egg dishes. The stuffed zucchini, hollowed out and filled with a spiced meat and rice mixture, is a classic that appears across the Middle East and the Caucasus under different local names. Its mild flavor makes it a reliable and affordable base for many everyday Persian meals.