Save your zucchini if you have an abundance in your garden. Freeze it! You can freeze it!
Zucchini has endless recipe possibilities. You can spiralize it to make noodles or bake it as bread. It is incredibly versatile. You can see why I love it.
Zucchini, which is low in carbs and hydrates well, makes a perfect vegetable for summer light meals. If you grow zucchini in your garden, you probably know that sometimes you end up with more than you need. You don’t want to let it go to waste.
When should you freeze it? I’ll show you just how simple it is.
How to Freeze Zucchini
Think about how you will use the zucchini. I am slicing zucchini which is excellent for soups. Casseroles, sauces, and smoothies. To make zucchini bread or other baked goods, grate the zucchini instead of cutting it. You can also steam it instead.
THIS IS THE STEP-BY-STEP PROCESS TO FREEZE IT:
- Wash the outside of the zucchini thoroughly to remove any dirt or debris.
- Wash and slice the zucchini.
- Blanching the zucchini will deactivate enzymes that prevent it from turning discolored or mushy. Add the zucchini to boiling water and let it sit for a minute. Side note, do not add salt! Transfer the zucchini into an ice bath using a slotted spoon or skimmer.
- Fill a large water bowl with ice, then let the zucchini soak in it for 2 minutes.
- Remove the zucchini and pat it gently dry with paper towels.
- Lay the zucchini slices on a baking tray to pre-freeze them. Place the zucchini in the freezer and freeze it for 1 to 2 hours. You won’t have a big lump of frozen zucchini.
- Store your zucchini for up to a year in freezer bags! I use Stasher Bags, but you can use any freezer-safe storage container.
Using Frozen Zucchini
Zucchini is composed of 95% water. It can become soft when frozen and thawed. It may have a small puddle around it. It’s, therefore, best used for soups, casseroles, or sauces.
It’s also an excellent way to sneak more vegetables into your smoothies (it will go unnoticed!). It’s the most common thing I use it for, and it makes an excellent substitute for bananas in a low-sugar smoothie.
It’s too watery to use as a side dish or in salads and stir-fries.