For many people, zucchini is a summer squash. It’s harvested in late summer and into early fall. But you can enjoy this healthy vegetable year-round by freezing it.
Freezing is an excellent way to preserve the nutrients in zucchini, as well as its fresh flavor. Here’s how to do it.
- First, wash your zucchini thoroughly
- You don’t want any dirt or bacteria on your vegetables when you freeze them
- Cut the zucchini into slices or chunks, depending on how you want to use it later
- Spread the zucchini out on a baking sheet and place it in the freezer for about an hour
- This will help the zucchini freeze individually so that you can store it in bags without having big clumps of frozen vegetables
- After an hour, remove the zucchini from the freezer and put it into plastic freezer bags
- Label the bags with the date so you know how long they’ve been in there, and return them to the freezer immediately
How to FREEZE ZUCCHINI and SQUASH | NO Blanching | 2020
What is the Best Way to Freeze Zucchini?
When it comes to freezing zucchini, there are a few different methods you can use. The best way to freeze zucchini really depends on how you plan to use it once it’s thawed. If you want to keep your zucchini in as close to its original form as possible, then slicing and blanching it before freezing is the way to go.
However, if you don’t mind your zucchini being a little softer after freezing, then grating or pureeing it before adding it to freezer bags is a perfectly acceptable method. Whichever method you choose, be sure to label your bags with the date so you can keep track of how long the zucchini has been frozen.
If you plan on using your frozen zucchini for cooked dishes like soups, stews, or casseroles, then slicing and blanching is the best way to go.
To slice and blanch your zucchini: start by trimming off the ends and cutting the zucchini into uniform slices (thinner slices will work better than thick ones). Next, bring a large pot of water to a boil and add in some salt. Carefully drop the sliced zucchini into the boiling water and let cook for 2-3 minutes.
Remove the zucchini from the pot using a slotted spoon and place them immediately into an ice bath (this will stop them from cooking any further). Once they’re cooled down, drain them well and pat dry with paper towels. Place the slices in single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and pop into the freezer until solid.
Once frozen solid, transfer them to freezer bags – be sure to remove as much air from the bag as possible before sealing shut.
If you prefer your zucchini in smaller pieces or want to use it for baked goods like muffins or breads, grating or pureeing before freezing is probably your best bet. For either method: start by trimming off the ends of the zucchinis and give them a good rinse under cold water.
If grating, simply run them through a box grater – no need to peel first!
Can You Freeze Fresh Zucchini Raw?
Yes, you can freeze zucchini raw. Zucchini is made up of about 95% water, so it will thaw quickly and can be used in recipes such as soups, stews, and casseroles. If you’re freezing zucchini for snacks or to add to a smoothie, it’s best to cut it into small pieces before freezing.
How Do You Prep Zucchini for Freezing?
If you’re lucky enough to have an abundance of zucchini from your garden or farmers market, you may be wondering how to prep them for freezing. Here’s a quick and easy guide!
First, wash your zucchini and trim off the ends.
Cut the zucchini into slices, rounds, or whatever shape you desire – just make sure they’re all uniform in size so they’ll freeze evenly.
Next, blanch the zucchini by boiling them for 2-3 minutes. This step is important as it will help preserve their color and texture during freezing.
After blanching, immediately place the zucchini in a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. Once they’re cooled, drain them well and pat dry with paper towels.
Finally, lay the zucchini out on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze for 2-3 hours before transferring to a freezer bag or container.
And that’s it! Your frozen zucchini will be ready to use in recipes all winter long.
Is It Better to Freeze Zucchini Without Blanching?
Blanching is a process of scalding vegetables in boiling water for a short period of time, then plunging them into ice water to stop the cooking process. This method is often used prior to freezing vegetables, as it helps preserve their color, flavor and texture. However, blanching is not always necessary – some vegetables can be successfully frozen without this step.
Zucchini is one such vegetable.
When freezing zucchini, simply wash it thoroughly, slice or dice it as desired, and place it in freezer bags or containers. There’s no need to blanch the zucchini first.
It will retain its good flavor and texture, and can be used directly from the freezer in many recipes. So if you’re short on time (or just don’t feel like dealing with the hassle of blanching), go ahead and freeze your zucchini without pre-treating it first.
How to Freeze Shredded Zucchini
If you find yourself with an abundance of zucchini, one great way to preserve it is by freezing it. Shredded zucchini can be used in all sorts of recipes, so it’s nice to have on hand when the fresh zucchini isn’t in season. Here’s how to freeze shredded zucchini:
1. First, wash your zucchini and shred it using a grater or food processor.
2. Next, spread the shredded zucchini out on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze for about an hour. This will help prevent the zucchini from clumping together when frozen.
3. Once the zucchini is frozen, transfer it to a freezer-safe container and store for up to six months.
When you’re ready to use the frozen zucchini, there’s no need to thaw first – just add it straight into your recipe!
Zucchini Recipes to Freeze
One of the best things about summer is all the fresh produce that starts to come into season. One of our favorites is zucchini! This versatile vegetable can be used in so many different recipes, from savory dishes to sweet treats.
And one of the best ways to enjoy summer zucchini is by freezing it to enjoy later in the year.
There are a few different ways to freeze zucchini, depending on how you plan to use it later. If you want to use it in cooked dishes like soups or casseroles, then shredding or slicing it before freezing is a good option.
That way, it will be easy to add directly to your dish without having to thaw first. For uncooked uses like smoothies or baking, freezing in smaller pieces or cubes works well.
Once your zucchini is prepped for freezing, pop it into freezer bags or containers and label with the date.
Frozen zucchini will keep for about 8-12 months, so you can enjoy summertime flavor all year long!
Here are some of our favorite recipes using frozen zucchini:
Zucchini bread – A classic recipe that’s perfect for breakfast or snacks.
Add some chocolate chips for an extra special treat! Zucchini fritters – These savory little cakes make a great appetizer or side dish. Serve them with a dipping sauce or sour cream for extra deliciousness!
Chocolate chip zucchini muffins – Moist and flavorful muffins loaded with chocolate chips. The kids will never know there’s veggies hidden inside! Zucchini noodles – A lighter alternative to pasta that’s just as tasty.
Toss with your favorite sauce or vegetables for a complete meal.
How to Freeze Zucchini Noodles
Assuming you would like a blog post titled “How to Freeze Zucchini Noodles”:
If you find yourself with an abundance of zucchini, one option is to freeze the zucchini noodles so you can enjoy them year-round. Here are a few tips on how to properly freeze zucchini noodles.
Wash the zucchini and cut off the ends. Using a spiralizer, make long noodles out of the zucchini flesh. If you don’t have a spiralizer, you can also use a julienne peeler or simply shave the zucchini into thin strips using a sharp knife.
Lay the noodles out on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and sprinkle with salt. The salt helps to draw out moisture from the zucchini so it doesn’t get watery when defrosted. Let them sit for about 15 minutes so the salt has time to work its magic.
After 15 minutes, rinse the salt off thoroughly and pat the noodles dry with paper towels or a clean dish towel. Place them in freezer bags, pressing out as much air as possible before sealing tightly. Label and date the bags before placing them in the freezer where they will keep for up to 6 months.
When you’re ready to enjoy your frozen zucchini noodles, there is no need to thaw them first!
Conclusion
Summer is the perfect time to enjoy fresh, crisp zucchini. But what do you do when you have too much of this delicious vegetable? You can freeze it!
Here’s how:
First, wash your zucchini and cut it into slices or chunks. Then, blanch it by boiling it for two minutes.
This will help preserve the color and texture of the zucchini.
Next, put the blanched zucchini into a freezer bag or container. Make sure to squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing the bag or container.
Label the frozen zucchini with the date so you know how long it will keep in the freezer (it should be good for up to eight months). When you’re ready to use it, just thaw and enjoy!
