🟢 Summer squash VS 🔴 Huazontle (Aztec broccoli)

The oxalate gap between these two is hard to ignore. Huazontle (Aztec broccoli) at 263 mg per serving vs Summer squash at 1 mg — 263x more. One is a daily option, the other requires careful consideration.

✓ Medically Reviewed Content reviewed by OxalateWatch editorial team. Based on Harvard T.H. Chan SPH oxalate data (2024) and NKF/AUA dietary guidelines.

⚖️ Head-to-Head Comparison

🟢
Safe — Low Oxalate
1 mg oxalate / serving
Serving: 1 cup sliced (180 g)
Per 100 g: 0 mg oxalate
Sodium: — | Calcium: — | Protein:
🔴
Avoid — High Oxalate
263 mg oxalate / serving
Serving: 1/2 cup (60 g)
Per 100 g: 438 mg oxalate
Sodium: 24 mg/100g | Calcium: 56 mg/100g | Protein: 2.8 g/100g

🏆 The Verdict: Choose Summer squash

At 1 mg oxalate per serving (rated Safe), Summer squash is the clear winner over Huazontle (Aztec broccoli) (263 mg, Avoid). The 263x difference comes from Harvard's 2024 lab measurements — this isn't an estimate or guess. Build your meals around Summer squash and use Huazontle (Aztec broccoli) sparingly, if at all.

🔍 Key Takeaways

**Oxalate gap:** 263 mg vs 1 mg per serving — a 263x difference. One of these is significantly easier to fit into a kidney stone diet.
**Verdicts:** Huazontle (Aztec broccoli) is rated **Avoid (100+ mg/serving)**; Summer squash is rated **Safe (under 25 mg/serving)**.
**Serving strategy:** If you choose Huazontle (Aztec broccoli), consider a half portion or pair it with a calcium source. Summer squash can be eaten more freely.
**Cooking tip:** For either vegetable, boiling and discarding the cooking water can reduce soluble oxalate by 30-50%. Steaming or eating raw preserves more oxalate.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better for kidney stones — Huazontle (Aztec broccoli) or Summer squash?

The numbers leave no doubt: Summer squash (1 mg oxalate/serving, Safe) beats Huazontle (Aztec broccoli) (263 mg, Avoid) by a factor of 263x. For kidney stone patients, Summer squash is the pick. Huazontle (Aztec broccoli) is a food to approach with portion awareness.

Can I eat Huazontle (Aztec broccoli) and Summer squash together?

Yes, but watch your portions. Combined, you're looking at roughly 264 mg oxalate. If one is high-oxalate, keep it to a small side portion. The lower-oxalate food can fill most of your plate.

How should I prepare Huazontle (Aztec broccoli) vs Summer squash differently?

For Huazontle (Aztec broccoli), boiling and draining cuts oxalate by 30-50%. Steaming preserves more. For Summer squash, preparation method matters less — it's already low-oxalate. If you're cooking both, boil Huazontle (Aztec broccoli) separately and discard the water.

What are good substitutes if I want to avoid Huazontle (Aztec broccoli)?

Your best bet: Summer squash. It's in the same category and has dramatically less oxalate. Check the Related Foods section on Huazontle (Aztec broccoli)'s page for more specific alternatives verified by Harvard's 2024 data.

This is dietary reference information, NOT medical advice. Talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian before changing your diet. Oxalate tolerance varies by person, stone type, and medication.