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How to Freeze Zucchini | The Old Farmer's Almanac

Too Much Zucchini? Freeze It!

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Cristian Ionut Zaharia/Shutterstock
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How to Freeze Zucchini

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August 8 is National Sneak Some Zucchini Onto Your Neighbor’s Porch Day! Got too much? Freeze your zucchini and summer squash for use beyond the summer months. Here are two methods for easily freezing zucchini, as well as a few of our favorite zucchini recipes!

Friends, neighbors, coworkers, even some side-of-the-road vegetable vendors will try to give away zucchini. Because once zucchini plants start producing, they are prolific!

Sure, you could bake a LOT of Zucchini Bread and freeze it for future potlucks. But what about the many other zucchini dishes?

Freeze it for later use in soups, stews, lasagna, baking, and so much more! 

How to Freeze Zucchini

1. Sliced Zucchini (Needs Blanching)

  1. Choose young squash (smaller than 6 inches long).
  2. Wash the zucchini.
  3. Cut the zucchini into one-and-a-half-inch rounds.
  4. Blanch it in boiling water for 3 minutes.*
  5. Cool promptly by placing zucchini rounds into ice water and leave for 3 minutes; drain the slices and pat dry as needed. 
  6. Place in freezer safe container leaving 1/2-inch head space. Seal. 

*To steam blanch, use a pot with a tight lid and a basket that holds the zucchini at least three inches above the bottom of the pot. Put an inch or two of water in the pot and bring the water to a rolling boil. Put the zucchini in the basket or colander—making sure zucchini isn’t lost into the water—in a single layer so that steam reaches all parts quickly. Cover the pot and keep heat high. Start counting steaming time as soon as the lid is on.

zucchini plant blossomsPhoto: Zucchini blossom. See how to grow zucchini.

2. Grated Zucchini (Without Blanching)

Grated zucchini is best for baking. You may freeze grated zucchini without blanching.

You may absolutely put grated zucchini into a freezer bag or other freezer safe containers, mark the amount to track volume, and freeze it. Thaw to use. Your zucchini will retain most of its volume when thawed and you may use any liquid formed in your recipes.

  1. Choose young squash—smaller than 6 inches long.
  2. Wash and grate.
  3. Steam blanch grated zucchini** in small quantities for 1 to 2 minutes.
  4. Drain and cool the grated zucchini in icy water leaving for 1 to 2 minutes.
  5. Place measured amounts of grated zucchini into freezer-safe containers or freezer bags. Leave ½-inch headspace.
  6. Squeeze out as much air as you can or use a straw to suck out air from freezer bags. Mark the amount. Thaw to use! 

Alternately, freeze smaller portions in an ice cube tray. When the cubes are solid, remove them from the tray and put them into a freezer bag.

**To steam blanch, use a pot with a tight lid and a basket that holds the food at least three inches above the bottom of the pot. Put an inch or two of water in the pot and bring the water to a boil. Put the vegetables in the basket in a single layer so that steam reaches all parts quickly. Cover the pot and keep heat high. Start counting steaming time as soon as the lid is on.

With so many options, you’ll never say “no” to zucchini!

Looking for zucchini recipe ideas? How about Zucchini Soup, Zucchini Pancakes, Zucchini Pizza, or Lemon-zucchini Muffins, and more of our Best Zucchini Recipes

How do you use your zucchini? Please share below!

2023 Almanac Club