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Learn all the tips and tricks for Freezing Zucchini to extend the harvest. Learning how to freeze zucchini using multiple methods, is a great way to preserve this delicious summer veggie.
Zucchini is one of those garden crops that can go from “this is great” to “I’m extraordinarily overwhelmed by this” in about 45 seconds.
When you’ve already made air fryer zucchini chips, zucchini cake, zucchini relish, chocolate zucchini muffins, and air fryer roasted zucchini, it’s time to save all the extras for delicious future meals.
How to choose zucchini for freezing
You’ll want to look for small to medium-sized zucchini with thin skin. When overlooked zucchini start approaching that “baseball players could use this as a bat” stage, there is nothing you can do to salvage that. Compost it or offer it to a friend with chickens (like me!).
IS IT OK TO FREEZE Zucchini WITHOUT BLANCHING?
Yes. And no. It’s heavily debated in preserving circles (a truly raucous group…) if you should freeze zucchini with or without blanching. At the end of the day, it is your choice.
If you decide to NOT blanch your zucchini before freezing, try to use those up within two to three months. Frozen zucchini that hasn’t been blanched tend to discolor a bit when thawed.
Should you peel zucchini before freezing it?
To peel or not to peel, that is the question. Frozen zucchini without the peel tends to be more tender when thawed. If you’re trying to be a sneaky Pete to hide it in recipes like freezer spaghetti sauce, or soups, peeling it first would be best.
Freezing your zukes sliced or as zoodles? Go ahead and leave the skin on.
HOW LONG DOES FROZEN zucchini LAST?
Frozen zucchini will last in a conventional freezer for six months. If you have a deep freeze/stand-alone freezer, you’re safe to keep them in there for up to a year.
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Freezing Zucchini
Equipment
- Colander
Ingredients
- zucchini
Instructions
Freezing Zoodles
- Spiralize your zucchini and place them in a colander.zucchini
- Set the colander in a bowl and let it sit for an hour at room temperature or up to 24 hours in the fridge.
- After the zucchini has drained, place the zoodles on a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment or a silpat. Gently blot them with clean kitchen towels to absorb excess liquid.
- Spread the zoodles around to give them space so they don’t clump up. Allow them to freeze for 2-3 hours and then transfer to a freezer-safe container.
Freezing Sliced Zucchini
- Cut the zucchini into slices about 1/4-1/2 inch thick.
- Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add the zucchini and cook for 30 seconds.
- Use a slotted spoon to remove the zucchini and place them in a bowl of ice water. Allow the zucchini slices to cool in the water for 3 minutes.
- Strain and blot with a clean towel.
- Place zucchini slices on a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment or a silpat. Allow them to freeze for 2-3 hours and then transfer to a freezer-safe container.
Freezing Shredded Zucchini
- Shred the zucchini using a box grater and place it in a colander. If your grater has different sizes, use the largest.
- Set the colander in a bowl and let the shredded zucchini sit for an hour at room temperature or up to 24 hours in the fridge.
- After it has rested a bit, grab a handful of the zucchini shreds and squeeze them to release excess moisture. Repeat with the rest of the shredded zucchini.
- Place shredded zucchini on a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment or a silpat. Gently blot with clean kitchen towels to absorb any excess liquid.
- Spread the shredded zucchini around, but there will still be some clumps no matter how well you spread it around the sheet.
- Allow it to freeze for 2-3 hours and then transfer to a freezer-safe container.
Freezing Whole Zucchini
- Freezing whole zucchini is best accomplished with small or medium zucchini.
- Place clean, dry zucchini in freezer storage and freeze until solid.
Thank you for the different ways of freezing zucchini. I would like to share that the overgrown zucchini (baseball bat size) makes a wonderful zucchini pineapple. You can find the recipe on Pinterest. I made for my children in the late 70’s. Still works. You think you are eating pineapple. Great substitute.
How fun!
I’m definitely freezing garden goodies this year. Just found out Olin probably losing 10 to 20% of my income due to corona. It’s better than a lot of folks out there struggling, but my struggles are real too. It’s going to hurt.
I bought some of those silicone bags and to be honest I freaking hate washing them and drying them. I’m afraid they’re not clean and I’ll get salmonella. ???? I might have issues. I love the idea but they kinda scare me. Drying them sucks balls.
We turn them inside out and put them in the dishwasher. And then we let them air dry inside out when they come out of the dishwasher. They’re always nice and clean!
I’m so sorry about your income loss. This time is so scary and uncertain. It sucks donkey balls.
I’ll try that! Thanks ????
May I just say how much I LOVE your posts on freezing fruit and vegetables? My freezer is full of goodness to help me over the coming months. I will be praising your name as I have cherries and strawberries in December and January, along with other things. Thanks!
Awwww, I’m so glad they’re helpful Beth! Honestly, they don’t seem to get a lot of traction with my readers (low comments, low open rates on emails), but I figure I’m slowly building an info library for freezing stuff. Hopefully one day as a collective they find some raving fans. 🙂