If you’ve found yourself with an abundance of zucchini, and can’t possibly eat it all before it goes bad, let me show you How To Freeze Zucchini.
How To Freeze Zucchini
Is your garden over flowing with zucchini? These helpful tips on How To Freeze Zucchini (plus 7 Ways to Use It) are just what you need!
I’m not going to lie, I’m over the moon excited that all four of my zucchini plants decided to be HUGE and produce massive amounts of zucchini for me.
I’ve tried to plant zucchini before in other states and countries with no success. But apparently here in Southern Utah, zucchini is almost a no-fail plant.
In fact, there is a saying that goes around in this small town during zucchini season. “Lock your car doors, or else the zucchini fairy will make a delivery in your back seat!”
Grate The Zucchini
Wash your zucchini then grate it with a cheese grater on a medium grate. Not too small though or it can turn into a soupy mess.
Squeeze out Moisture
Portion out two cups of zucchini and place it in a bowl that’s lined with paper towels or cheesecloth, then just squeeze out as much liquid as you can.
By squeezing out as much liquid now, you’ll have less of a mess later on when you try to use it in a recipe.
Place in Freeze Bags
Place the drained and shredded zucchini in freezer bags and press them into a flat shape for easy defrosting later on.
Write the date on the bag as well as the amount in each bag (I always think I’ll remember, but never do…).
How Long Does Zucchini Last?
Fresh zucchini should be stored in the fridge for one to two weeks if stored properly. Keep it dry and whole for it to last the longest.
Shredded zucchini can last up to 3 to 4 months in the freezer if stored properly.
USES FOR FROZEN ZUCCHINI:
Here are a few of my favorite ways to use up that frozen zucchini.
- Zucchini Bread (this one and this one come to mind)
- Stir fry
- Soups
- Casseroles
- Muffins
- Scrambled Eggs/Frittatas
- Stir it into Rice
I mean, really, the possibilities are endless!
So go ahead zucchini fairy! Bring on the green goodness!
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How to Freeze Zucchini
Ingredients
- Zucchini
- Paper Towels or cheese cloth
- Zip Close Bags
Instructions
- Wash and trim the ends of your zucchini.
- Use the medium grate to shred your zucchini.
- Line a bowl with a few sheets of paper towels or cheese cloth and scoop 2 cups of shredded zucchini into the bowl. Squeeze out as much of the water as you can. Place the zucchini in a zip close bag and spread out flat. Mark the date on the bags.
- Lay the bags flat in the freezer until frozen.
To Use:
- Remove the zucchini from the freezer and let defrost in the fridge. If needed more quickly submerge closed bag in a sink full of cool water until zucchini is defrosted. Squeeze out any excess water that may have accumulated and use in recipe as stated.
Nutrition
Quinoa Stuffed Avocado
Sherri Langaker
I was wondering if after wringing out the zucchini you could measure out your two cups, make into patty type disks, open freeze and the vacuum seal! Would this dry it out too much?
Thank you
Shawn
I think that would work just fine.
Patricia Steele
Hi Shawn Was just researching “how to freeze zucchini” and found your site. Great information. Have you tried spirilizing zucchini and stir frying it with thin sliced onions? Once the moisture is reduced salt and pepper to taste and add some parmesan or mozerella cheese on top and pop it into a 350degree oven until it is bubbly.
Pat
Shawn
I have to try that! Sounds so good! Thanks for sharing!
Junea'
Do you shred the entire zucchini or just flesh with green peel on it?
Shawn
The entire zucchini so you can get the most out of it.
marilyn r hammond
thank you so much for recipe freezing zucchini you are life saver
Laney Burbidge
Can you use frozen zucchini for zucchini fritters? We love them.
Shawn
That should work just fine!
Kristina
How long does this keep for in the freezer?
Debby
I have been freezing zucchini for a number of years as well. But I have found that when I thaw the frozen 2 cups of the zucchini for my recipe, I actually have less than 2 cups of the veg. So I was wondering, do I just add that frozen, drained, zucchini as needed in the recipe or do add more zucchini to make it actually 2 cups of the veg? Thanks!
Shawn
This is why I recommend squeezing out as much liquid as possible before freezing. When it defrosts if there is any excess liquid it’ll reduce the mass of zucchini. Ideally, if a recipe calls for 2 cups of zucchini, you should use 2 cups. If that means you need to add more because your frozen zucchini didn’t yield as much when it defrosted, then you should add more. Hope that helps!
Laurie Watson
Hi! How long can shredded zucchini stay in a deep freezer?
Shawn
I would bet it could last a long time in the deep freezer. I mean, how long do you want it to last? 😉
Laurie Watson
How does this work? Do you end of freezing the folded paper towel in the bag?
Shawn
No, don’t add paper towels to the zip top bag, it’s just used to help you squeeze out the excess moisture.
Vickie Timm
Can u slice the Zucchini for like grilled and freeze that or do u have to blanch it first. Would love to have for the winter months.
Shawn
Freezing sliced or whole zucchini doesn’t give it the best texture when it’s defrosted. It’s best to use it in recipes where it can be easily blended in.
Karen Pierson
Thank you for the wonderful directions for freezing grated zucchini. What is the texture of the zucchini when thawed?
Karen
Shawn
The texture is soft when defrosted. If you don’t squeeze out a lot of the moisture before freezing it can be almost soggy. So squeeeeeeze out as much as possible! It’s great for adding into recipes, not so much a stand-alone side dish after it’s been frozen.
Greg
Is there a reason you say to do 2 cups at a time. What does that come out to once squeezed and frozen for future use?
What part of Southern Utah? Went to School at Dixie in St George.
Shawn
I recommend 2 cups at a time because it’s more manageable when adding to recipes later on. You could freeze as much or as little as you would like. We live in St. George! Fun!
Brewer Judy
Thank you so much
Mj
It seems to me that the liquid is part of the zucchini. Because it separates from the fibrous flesh doesn’t mean you’ve “lost” any. By draining, would a zucchini bread be dry instead of moist like with freshly grated zucchini?
Shawn
Even though you’re squeezing out a lot of the liquid, there is still plenty to make the recipes moist. You’d be surprised!
Marycatherine
Thanks Shawn for telling us how to freeze the Zucchini, I have been making breads and cakes, and brownies for years, but never knew how to freeze it so that it didn’t have too much liquid. Thanks again, I love your site.
Shawn
Yay! So glad you enjoyed it!
Debbie L Wessel
Would love to see your zucchini brownie recipe!
Anne H
Thank you for this! I have a lot of zucchini to shed. May I use the shredder on my food processor ?
Shawn
Yes! A food processor would be great!
Sharon Y
Can you use a food saver to seal the zucchini?
Shawn
It might be a little difficult to get a good seal on it since the zucchini will be a little moist, but you can try!
deborah greene
put a paper towel folded at opening of food saver bag it will absorb moisture
Shawn
Great tip! Thanks for sharing Deborah!
Etta Mae Milhoan
Life saver!!!!! Got more zucchini than I can use right now and will be freezing it . Now I can bake my Nurses at the hospital bread in winter.
Shawn
Fantastic! Glad to be of help!
Beatrice bonini
Thank you. It’s exactly what I was looking for and you popped up. Bingo. Brilliant idea.
Julie
Great idea!
Shawn
Thanks Julie! 🙂