3 Easy ways to Freeze Zucchini (Versatile and Nutritious)

Zucchini that has been frozen is extremely flexible and healthful! This green vegetable grows well in the summer and can be prepared in a variety of ways.

Use one of these methods to quickly 3and conveniently freeze any leftover zucchini the next time you need to use it up!

What Makes This Technique So Effective?

• To begin, blanch the sliced and spiralized zucchini in boiling water for a few seconds before immediately moving it to an ice bath. Blanching zucchini before freezing helps to maintain its flavor, color, and texture. Once defrosted, this relatively easy step makes a significant impact on the overall flavor of the zucchini!
• We have three ways to freeze zucchini: one, two, and three! Feel free to use any manner you like based on how you often consume this delightful vegetable. Perhaps you enjoy making a low-carb spaghetti meal with it. If that’s the case, frozen zucchini noodles are the way to go. If you are craving zucchini bread all year, this frozen shredded zucchini is a great option!
• If you produce zucchini yourself, you know how abundant this green vegetable is! So, the next time you have an excess of zucchini and no idea what to do with it, use one of these methods to freeze it! It will keep in your freezer for 3 to 4 months. You can now appreciate the flexibility of this vegetable long after summer has passed!

Zucchini Freezing Preparation

Noodles of Zucchini: Spiralize the zucchini by cutting off one end and spiralizing it with your favorite vegetable spiralizer.

Over the years, I’ve owned and used a variety of spiralizers and have found that hand-held spiralizers are the most convenient and efficient.

Sliced Zucchini – Remove both ends of the zucchini before slicing it into 1/4-inch rounds. If you like smaller zucchini slices, cut the rounds in half or quarters.

Shredded Zucchini: Cut the zucchini’s end off and grind the sliced end on a medium grater. Squeeze out as much moisture as possible from the shreds using a towel.

Zucchini Blanching Instructions

1. Bring a big saucepan of water to a fast boil, unsalted.
2. Toss the sliced or spiralized zucchini into the boiling water, cover the saucepan, and cook for one minute.
3. To halt the cooking, remove the zucchini from the boiling water and place it in a dish of ice water.

How to Store Frozen Zucchini

Resealable Freezer Bags – Resealable freezer bags are my favorite option for any frozen produce because they are easy to find and store. Simply place the frozen zucchini in the freezer bag, seal it, and keep it there until ready to use!

Glass Food Container – If you plan to store your frozen zucchini in glass containers, don’t omit the initial freezing step. When you put a newly blanched zucchini in a glass container and put it in the freezer, it will shatter due to the quick change in temperature.

Plastic Food Storage Container – This is another incredibly simple option for keeping frozen zucchini, with nothing to worry about!

Chef’s Advice

• Before storing the zucchini, freeze it in a single layer on a baking sheet. If you immediately put the zucchini in a storage container, you’ll end up with a firm, frozen block of zucchini. Large pieces will not stick together when frozen on the baking sheet. This crucial step will also make defrosting and using the finished product much easier!
• Simply remove the frozen zucchini from the freezer and add it to your dish when you’re ready to eat it! I like to use zucchini slices in stir fry and zucchini noodles in pasta recipes. I almost always have zucchini shredded on hand for zucchini bread and/or muffins — YUM! It normally doesn’t need to be defrosted before use because it will be cooked with the rest of the ingredients.
• Smoothies will benefit from the addition of this frozen zucchini. It blends almost flavorlessly with a range of frozen fruits due to its mild flavor. Adding a handful of frozen zucchini to smoothies or pureed foods is another simple method to get more vegetables into anyone’s diet (especially your kids’).

Frozen Zucchini

Zucchini that has been frozen is extremely flexible and healthful! This green vegetable grows well in the summer and can be prepared in a variety of ways.

Use one of these methods to quickly and conveniently freeze any leftover zucchini the next time you need to use it up!

Ingredients

• 2 zucchini

Equipment

• Large pot
• Ice bath
• Baking sheet
• Resealable plastic bag or food storage container

Instructions

Noodles with Zucchini

1. Spiralize zucchini by cutting off one end.
2. Place zucchini noodles in a pot of rapidly boiling water for 1 minute, then remove and chill.
3. Place zucchini noodles on a baking sheet in a single layer and freeze for 1-2 hours, or until totally solid.
4. Freeze zucchini noodles in a zip-top bag or an airtight container until ready to use.

For Zucchini Slices

1. Cut the zucchini into 14-inch rounds.
2. Place zucchini slices in a pot of quickly boiling water for 1 minute, then remove and place in an ice bath.
3. Freeze zucchini slices in a single layer on a baking sheet for 1-2 hours or until absolutely solid.
4. Freeze zucchini slices in a zippered bag or airtight container until ready to use.

For Zucchini Shredded

1. Using a medium grater, shred zucchini.
2. Wrap shredded zucchini in a dish towel and squeeze out as much moisture as you can.
3. On a baking sheet, spread shredded zucchini in a single layer and freeze for 1-2 hours, or until totally solid.
4. Freeze shredded zucchini in an airtight container or sealed bag until ready to use.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1serving, Calories: 17kcal, Carbohydrates: 3g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 8mg, Potassium: 256mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 196IU, Vitamin C: 18mg, Calcium: 16mg, Iron: 1mg, Net Carbs: 2g