Idk, maybe zucchini just has too much water to ever get crispy in there. Could be that soggy is how they're meant to be.

Totally agree with @victor_barnes48! Marking it first is a game changer. My cuts are so much cleaner now and it saves me a ton of time.

Have you ever read about how barking dogs in books often hint at bigger problems in a neighborhood? I remember this article talking about how a constantly yapping dog can show loneliness or fear, like the owner is always on edge. It made me notice how much a simple sound can tell you about the people living nearby, their routines and their secrets. So for your story, maybe picture the house the dog is in and what its barking keeps hidden from the street.

Yeah, the "ears confusing noon for midnight" thing reminds me of my buddy who tried to set audio levels by sight alone. He was so sure the waveform looked fine, but the whole interview sounded like it was recorded in a tin can.