Can you freeze zucchini? The answer is yes! In fact, zucchini freezes well whether chopped, grated, or spiralized. Perfect to add to your favorite zucchini recipes.
Garrison Keillor (famous Minnesota radio host) for “July is the only time of year when rednecks lock their cars in church parking lots so people don’t put pumpkins on the front seats“.
This makes total sense to me because by the height of summer I have an abundance of zucchini in my garden and feel like I should be paying someone to take it off my hands!
Until I discovered I could freeze zucchini. In fact, I usually end our garden season with enough frozen zucchini to last us through the winter. So if you’re wondering if you can freeze zucchini, the answer is yes, I’m here to show you how to freeze zucchini.
Benefits of frozen zucchini
The benefits of fresh zucchini also apply to frozen zucchini. Zucchini is a low-carbohydrate vegetable that is also high in nutrients. In particular it is an important source fiber, Vitamin A and antioxidant carotenoids – including Lutein, zeaxanthin and beta-carotene.
Zucchini doesn’t have much flavor, so it’s great to add to sweet recipes for a nutritional boost, or to sauces and soups since they won’t affect the flavor.
How to Freeze Zucchini Slices
Freezing zucchini is fairly easy, but it does require an extra blanching step to preserve flavor and texture. I do not recommend freezing whole unbleached zucchini or chopped unblanched zucchini.
step 1) Cut the zucchini into desired shape (I like half moons or quarters).
Step 2) Heat water and 1 tablespoon salt in a large pot on the stove top until boiling. Blanch the zucchini in boiling water for 1 minute.
Step 3) Drain the zucchini and immediately place it in an ice bath (a large bowl with a cup of ice cubes) until the zucchini has cooled.
Step 4) Place a piece of parchment paper on a baking sheet and arrange the blanched zucchini in a single layer. Pat dry. Freeze for 3-4 hours.
Step 5) Place frozen zucchini in a freezer-safe bag or ziplock bag.
How to Freeze Grated Zucchini
step 1) Grate or chop the zucchini using a box grater or food processor attachment.
Step 2) Place the chopped zucchini in a dish towel, two layers of paper towels, or a mesh bag and squeeze to remove excess water.
Step 3) Place grated zucchini in a freezer bag or ziplock bag.
Defrost on the counter or in a bowl of warm water to speed up the thawing process. Use as directed in any recipe using grated zucchini.
Can you freeze zucchini noodles?
Yes! You’ll want to blanch your zucchini as you would chopped or sliced zucchini, then pat it with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture. Freeze on the sheet pan and store in a large ziplock or freezer bag. I personally find that spiralized zucchini can get a little soggy when reheated, so that’s not my preference, but it works in a pinch.
How long do frozen zucchini last?
You can freeze blanched shredded zucchini or chopped zucchini in an airtight freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Remove as much air as possible to keep the zucchini fresh, then seal. If you plan on making multiple batches of zucchini, I recommend using a label with the date the zucchini was frozen.
How to use frozen zucchini
You can add frozen chopped zucchini to any recipe, but I like to use it in soups, stews, and pasta. I prefer using shredded zucchini in baked goods, smoothies, and sauces.
Here are some of my favorite zucchini recipes:
