A Guide to Freezing Zucchini
Choose young squash with smooth, tender skin and a vibrant, dark green color. Steer clear of yellowing (past prime) zucchini with pits, soft spots or shriveled looking skin.
Wash, but do no not peel. Cut zucchini into 1/4 to 1/2 inch slices depending on freezing method.
Water-blanch for 3 minutes or steam-blanch for 1 to 2 minutes. Cool promptly and drain.
Wash and drain zucchini. Pat dry. Trim ends and cut into 1/4 inch slices. Pack in suitable containers. Seal, label and freeze.
Wash and drain. Pat dry. Trim ends and cut into 1/4 inch slices. Pack in boilable bags, press out air and seal. Blanch in boiling water (4 bags at a time for 5 minutes. Cool bags and pat dry. Label and freeze.
Wash and drain. Cut into 1/2 inch slices and place unblanched in a single layer on a baking sheet. Tray-freeze until firm. Transfer to suitable containers. Seal, label and freeze.
Sauté and package, leaving 1/2-inch headspace. Seal and freeze. Sauté gently in a little melted butter until barely tender. Cool, pack into plastic containers leaving headspace at the top. Freeze up to 3 months
Wash and grate zucchini. Steam-blanch for 1 to 2 minutes until translucent. Cool. Pack pre-measured amounts into containers and seal leaving 1/2-inch headspace. Label and freeze.
Freezer containers should be moisture and vapor resistant and should not be prone to cracking or breaking at low temperatures. Containers should provide protection against absorbing flavors or odors and should be easy to label. Suitable packaging for freezing zucchini includes freezer-grade plastic bags, rigid plastic containers, glass containers, heavy-duty aluminum foil or foil containers.
Unblanched slices-4 to 6 months; blanched-10 to 12 months.
Add frozen zucchini directly to dishes while cooking.
All summer squash can be prepared for freezing in a similar way.
Store in a perforated plastic bag for up to 1 week. Do not wash until ready to use.
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I got an extra lg. zucchini from my garden and did not know if I could freeze it.
Thank you for the info. on zucchini. Boy am I gonna have fun doing this for all types of zucchini.
I grate Zucchini put my measured cups for recipe into vaccuum bags, freeze. When I want a load of zucchini bread I take one out, thaw and put it into my recipe.
When I measure out 2 cups of zucchini and I freeze it, when I take it out of the freezer and it thaws it is no longer 2 cups. Do I still use it as 2 cups when going by a recipe?
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