How to Freeze Zucchini: The Ultimate Guide

How to freeze zucchini at home.

Super versatile and healthy, zucchini is the one veggie to stock up on when it is in season. But what do you do if you went a teeny bit overboard and ended up with too much of it? Freeze it!

Not sure how to freeze zucchini the right way?

Fair enough. Zucchini is one of those veggies that have high water content, and freezing it might not seem like the best idea, but that’s not true at all. Follow these easy steps to freezing zucchini the right way, and enjoy this veggie all year round.

Why you will love freezing zucchini at home.

It is an excellent way to reduce food wastage
It’ll help you save money
It’ll reduce your kitchen time
It takes just a few minutes to freeze them
You’ll always have zucchini for your recipes

Will Freezing Cause it to Become Mushy?

Unfortunately, zucchini is one of those veggies that turn mushy and lose their crunch factor once they’re frozen and thawed. The key to getting your frozen zucchini to maintain their color, flavor, and texture is to first boil them or at least blanch them before you freeze them.
Blanching helps deactivate the enzymes that cause the zucchini to become mushy, and it helps the veggie keep its green color and slight crunch even after it is defrosted.

Should I Freeze Zucchini Raw or Blanched?

Raw zucchini can be frozen too, and it is actually a good way to do it if you’re planning to use the zucchini within a couple of weeks or even months. However, if you want to freeze zucchini for a longer duration, you might want to consider blanching or shredding it before freezing it.

Method #1: Freeze Unblanched Zucchini

First be sure to wash your zucchini.
Cut/slice your zucchini to preferred size for freezing. I like to cut zucchini into 1/2-1/2 inch slices.
Place zucchini slices into freezer bag. Be sure to remove as much air as possible and then freeze.
Freeze for 6-9 months. Zucchini should stay good for 3-6 months in the freezer.

Method #2: Freeze Blanched Zucchini

Cover a baking sheet (with a lip) with parchment paper. This will keep your zucchini from sticking and make it easy to transfer once frozen.
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Blanching is a method of sticking vegetables into boiling water for 1-2 minutes and then setting into an ice bath. Be sure to get a pot of boiling water on the stove right away so you are not waiting on the water.
Cut your zucchini to preferred size for freezing.
Set zucchini into boiling water for 1-2 minutes then remove and place into an ice bath, or run under cold water until cool.
Place zucchini onto Prepared Baking Sheet. Set baking sheet with zucchini into the freezer for 1-2 hours. Do not freeze too much longer than 2 hours otherwise zucchini may develop freezer burn.
Transfer frozen zucchini into a freezer bag. Once zucchini are in a freezer bag remove as much air as possible and seal. TIP: Don’t forget to label the freezer bag and write an expiration date on the bag. (Today’s date plus 3-6 months).

Method #3: Freeze Shredded Zucchini

First be sure to wash your zucchini.
Shred zucchini using a food processor or a grater.
Use a cheese cloth to wring out as must moisture as you can BEFORE freezing. This will keep the zucchini from becoming a mushy mess after you thaw it.
Measure out in 1-2 cup portions and place in a quart sized ziplock freezer bags for storage and then freeze.

Things to Remember Before Freezing Zucchini

While freezing zucchini is actually pretty easy and straightforward, you might want to keep these little things in mind before you get right into it.

Regardless of whether you’re freezing the zucchini raw or blanching or grating it before you freeze it, remove all the excess moisture by placing the zucchini on kitchen towels.
If you’re transferring the zucchini into resealable freezer bags, remember to remove all the extra air and then pop them into the freezer.
If you tend to freeze veggies often, you might also want to put a label with the date on the freezer bag. This will help you a lot with choosing the right batch of frozen veggies.

Tips & Tricks to Use the Frozen Zucchini

Ready to freeze all the zucchini you just bought? Still, wondering how to put it all to use eventually? Here are a few ideas to get you going!

Frozen zucchini cubes or slices can make for an excellent addition to your winter soups and stews.
Thaw some frozen blanched zucchini and give it a quick stir fry with your favorite herbs and spices to make a quick and versatile side dish to enjoy with your main.
Shredded zucchini can be a great healthy addition to your homemade breads and muffins. Just remember to use it after it is at room temperature.

Zucchini has a lot of moisture. You can use it in a recipe and refrigerator or freeze it for later too.

Loved how easy it was to freeze zucchini? Looking for some more help freezing other fruits and fresh produce? Here are some quick links to help you out.

3 Methods for Freezing Fresh Zucchini. ????

How to Freeze Zucchini

Learn how to freeze zucchini even though it has a high water content. Enjoy your fresh zucchini all year long using these freezing methods.

Course: Main Course, Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: freezing fresh zucchini, freezing zucchini, How to freeze zucchini

Materials

Zucchini as many as you want to freeze

Instructions

Method #1: Freeze Unblanched Zucchini

First be sure to wash your zucchini.
Cut/slice your zucchini to preferred size for freezing. I like to cut zucchini into 1/2-1/2 inch slices.
Place zucchini slices into freezer bag. Be sure to remove as much air as possible and then freeze.
Freeze for 6-9 months. Zucchini should stay good for 3-6 months in the freezer.

Method #2: Freeze Blanched Zucchini

Cover a baking sheet (with a lip) with parchment paper. This will keep your zucchini from sticking and make it easy to transfer once frozen.
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Blanching is a method of sticking vegetables into boiling water for 1-2 minutes and then setting into an ice bath. Be sure to get a pot of boiling water on the stove right away so you are not waiting on the water.
Cut your zucchini to preferred size for freezing.
Set zucchini into boiling water for 1-2 minutes then remove and place into an ice bath, or run under cold water until cool.
Place zucchini onto Prepared Baking Sheet. Set baking sheet with zucchini into the freezer for 1-2 hours. Do not freeze too much longer than 2 hours otherwise zucchini may develop freezer burn.
Transfer frozen zucchini into a freezer bag. Once zucchini are in a freezer bag remove as much air as possible and seal. TIP: Don’t forget to label the freezer bag and write an expiration date on the bag. (Today’s date plus 3-6 months).

Method #3: Freeze Shredded Zucchini

First be sure to wash your zucchini.
Shred zucchini using a food processor or a grater.
Use a cheese cloth to wring out as must moisture as you can BEFORE freezing. This will keep the zucchini from becoming a mushy mess after you thaw it.
Measure out in 1-2 cup portions and place in a quart sized ziplock freezer bags for storage and then freeze.

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Freezing Zucchini FAQ’s

Will Freezing Zucchini Reduce Their Nutritive Value?

In general, frozen foods can retain a good proportion of their nutritional value.

How Long Can I Freeze Zucchini?

Frozen zucchini can last for up to a year, sometimes more. Remember that the longer they stay in the freezer, the higher the risk of freezer burn.

How Do I Thaw Frozen Zucchini?

It’s pretty simple! Just let the container or the bag sit at room temperature. This will take longer, but the zucchini will retain their shape better when you defrost them slowly and naturally.