Learn about the best way to freeze zucchini.  Zucchini can be tough to freeze due to the high water content, but here are some tips for how to freeze zucchini for shredded zucchini, noodles, or slices.  Frozen zucchini can then be used in meals or to make bread throughout the winter.

How to Freeze Zucchini

My menu for the week:  zucchini bread, zucchini noodles, zucchini boats, fried zucchini, etc.

I feel like I'm going to turn green from all of the zucchini!  

I've already preserved some zucchini in safe and approved canning recipes (like my pineapple zucchini canning recipe and my zucchini bread jam recipe).  Learn more about how to preserve zucchini for the winter.

Then I freeze dried 20 pounds of zucchini in my Harvest Right freeze dryer.  

I'm still going to freeze zucchini slices and shredded zucchini to make bread and other dishes later.

For more ideas for food preservation, check out these posts:

• How to Make Freezer Corn
• How to Dehydrate Zucchini
• How to Make Zucchini Flour
• How to Make Apple Cider Vinegar From Scratch
• How to Make Onion Powder at Home

Does Zucchini Freeze Well?

Yes, if prepared properly zucchini can freeze well and be used at a later date. Freezing zucchini is a great way to store larger yields so that nothing goes to waste. 

Can You Freeze Whole Zucchini?

You can’t really freeze whole zucchini, as it will be difficult to prepare once you thaw it. You can, however, freeze zucchini boats by hollowing out the zucchini and freezing the shell on its own 

These can be used to make zucchini boats stuffed with meats and other such ingredients and make for a delicious dinner.  

How To Freeze Zucchini Without Blanching- Can You Freeze Fresh Zucchini?

Yes, fresh zucchini can be frozen raw. To do this, simply cut up the zucchini and place it onto freezer safe trays and place them in the freezer until they are solid. 

Then, transfer the zucchini to freezer bags for long term storage. It is important to note that this method of freezing zucchini will not last as long with respect to storage as will other methods.

Does Zucchini Need Blanching Before Freezing?

Strictly speaking, no, zucchini does not have to be blanched before freezing. However, blanching zucchini is still recommended as it eliminates the enzymes that cause food to decay.

Blanching will allow your zucchini to stay fresher for longer, which ultimately is the entire point of freezing food.

That said, I do not blanch my zucchini when I freeze it in chunks, slices, or shredded. 

Can You Shred/Dice Zucchini And Freeze It?

Yes, you can shred or dice zucchini and freeze it using any of the methods in this article. Remember that there is no best way to freeze zucchini, as whichever methods you use ultimately depend on your end goal. 

What Can You Use Frozen Zucchini For?

Frozen zucchini can be used to make anything you would use fresh zucchini for, as long as it is thawed out properly. Frozen zucchini can be used as an ingredient, or thawed and eaten on its own.  

Personally, I recommend using frozen zucchini as an ingredient and eating fresh zucchini on its own, as the freezing process can slightly dampen the flavor and texture of the zucchini. 

How Long Can Zucchini Last In The Freezer?

If it is frozen fresh, with no preparation, zucchini can last for up to about four months. If prepared properly, however, zucchini routinely lasts for about ten months. 

This is why it is important to properly prepare zucchini for freezing if you want to keep it for long-term storage. 

How Do You Defrost Zucchini?

Defrosting zucchini is super easy to do, and there are two primary methods. The best method is to place the zucchini in the fridge to thaw out overnight. 

If you are in a time crunch, you can place the frozen bag of zucchini into a bowl of warm water to quickly thaw it out, however, this method will yield a mushier zucchini than the former. 

How Do You Freeze Squash Without It Being Mushy?

The key to freezing squash and zucchini without them being mushy is blanching. Blanching can help to keep squash crisper for longer when freezing it.

How Do You Bake Frozen Zucchini?

Once the zucchini is thawed, you can bake it using any recipe that you would use for fresh zucchini. 

I recommend using frozen zucchini as an ingredient and not baking it on its own as it is typically a bit mushier and blander than fresh zucchini.

How To Blanch Zucchini For Freezing

Blanching zucchini helps to preserve its texture, by keeping it crisp, as well as its flavor. Blanching is a recommended process for storing larger sized pieces of zucchini or storing zucchini for longer periods of time. 

To start, wash the zucchini and cut it into the desired shape. Then, boil the zucchini for 45 seconds to 1 minute. 

Then, immediately place the zucchini or squash into a bowl of ice water for four minutes. Once the four minutes are up, drain the zucchini using whatever method you desire and place them into freezer bags.

Before placing the bag into the freezer, try to get out as much air as possible and ensure that each bag is tightly sealed. This will keep the zucchini fresher for a longer time, up to ten months.

How To Freeze Zucchini Noodles

Zucchini noodles are great to have on hand for low carb pasta alternatives, and it is super easy to prepare.

• Wash the fresh zucchini thoroughly.
• Trim the ends off of the zucchini.
• Using a zucchini spiralizer, cut the zucchini into noodles.
• Place in boiling water for 45 seconds to 1 minute.  Then place in ice water for 4 to 5 minutes.  
• Let dry and place into freezer safe bags for storage.

 How To Freeze Shredded Zucchini

Learning how to freeze zucchini shredded can be helpful as shredded zucchini is a great component for many recipes.  I freeze shredded zucchini with 2 cups per bag so I can make my zucchini bread recipe with applesauce.

Following is how to do it:

• Wash the fresh zucchini thoroughly.
• Trim the ends off of the zucchini.
• Using a processor, shred the zucchini.
• Place in boiling water for 45 seconds to 1 minute.  Then place in ice water for 4 to 5 minutes.  
• Let the shredded zucchini dry and place into freezer safe bags for storage.

How To Freeze Zucchini Slices

Zucchini slices are good in all sorts of recipes, including pasta dishes, sheet pan meals, and stir fry. Personally, I enjoy frying them and serving them as a side. 

Here is how to freeze zucchini slices:

• Wash the fresh zucchini thoroughly.
• Trim the ends off of the zucchini.
• Cut the zucchini by hand or with a mandolin.
• Place in boiling water for 45 seconds to 1 minute.  Then place in ice water for 4 to 5 minutes.  
• Let the zucchini slices dry and place into freezer safe bags for storage.

 How To Freeze Zucchini For Bread (How To Freeze Grated Zucchini)

Zucchini bread uses the same process as the above methods. However, because zucchini bread calls for a finely shredded zucchini, you may want to blanch diced zucchini or zucchini chips and then shred them from there. 

This will make the blanching process much easier. Further, when storing the shredded zucchini I recommend storing in two cup packages, that way you can take out and thaw only what you need.

Now you know how to freeze zucchini to preserve it for the winter.

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