Ever since he was on the first grade, my son loves to snack on zucchini at school. He especially loves raw zucchini wraps flavored with some mayonnaise and ketchup. I used to prepare it for him every morning. However, due to my new job, I can no longer manage to do it for him daily. I am wondering if it is a good idea to prepare his zucchini wraps good several days in advance to save time. What is the best way to preserve zucchini?
Loaded with enormous nutrients, zucchini is indeed a great and healthy food. It is rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, folate, magnesium, fiber, and protein. It also helps maintain a healthy nervous system.
Preparing a supply of zucchini rolls already good for a few days is a good idea. It saves your precious time, money and effort. Usually, the most convenient option for preserving zucchini is freezing. It can last for about three months when frozen. However, take note that frozen zucchinis are only best for dishes that require them to be served along other vegetables.
Can You Freeze Zucchini?
The answer is yes, you can freeze zucchini. If you don’t freeze it, it will only stay fresh five to seven days with proper storage. Properly freezing them can help ensure that it will last for up to three months.
There are several methods of preserving zucchini. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages, and is best for certain dishes.
Other methods for extending the shelf life of zucchini are canning, dehydrating, and pickling. Canned zucchini is good for many recipes including parmesan zucchini, zucchini corn pancake, and zucchini muffins.
Freezing will degrade the texture of zucchini. However, it works well for baked or stewed dishes. If not properly done, it may also cause freezer burn to zucchini.
Another important thing to note is that freezing zucchini right after blanching will make it a solid zucchini ice cube. To avoid this, let cool it immediately after blanching.
A general tip to preserve zucchini is to avoid exposing it to excess moisture and air. Avoid buying bruised ones as they are more prone to growing mold or wilting. It is good to store them in a crisper drawer as it has the optimum humidity to ensure freshness. Also, avoid washing it as much as possible.
How to Freeze Zucchini?
Freezing zucchini is simple. The key to ensure maximum quality is to follow the proper timing for each step. Furthermore, it is crucial to pick the right ones first and foremost.
- Cut – Cut off both ends of the zucchini and discard them. There are several ways to cut them. How you cut them depends on their intended use. Chunks of zucchini are suitable as side dishes. To make a zucchini bread, shred it.
- Blanch – Blanching deactivates the enzymes that can degrade the color and texture of the zucchini. It also prevents nutrition loss. Blanch for only about a minute. Steam the shredded zucchini for about two minutes. Do not add salt as it will make the zucchini mushy.
- Cool and Drain – Do this quickly as overcooking the zucchini can immediately affect its quality. Let it cool in a bucket of ice for 3-5 minutes.
- Pre-freeze – Pre-freezing can help keep the zucchini pieces from sticking together while being frozen. This is unnecessary for shredded zucchini.
- Pack and Freeze – You can now pack them in a freezer bag. Labeling them is crucial for you to keep track of how long they have been frozen. Keep the freezer bag as air-tight as possible.
How To Use Up Extra/Leftover Zucchini?
Zucchini is a versatile and delicious vegetable that can be used in a variety of dishes. But what do you do when you have extra zucchini? Here are five delicious ways to use up your leftover zucchini:
- Make zucchini bread – Zucchini bread is a delicious and healthy way to use up your extra zucchini. Just add the shredded vegetable to your favorite quick bread recipe, and you’ll have a tasty treat that everyone will love.
- Make zucchini chips – Zucchini chips are a great alternative to potato chips. To make them, just slice thin slices of zucchini and bake in a single layer on a cookie sheet at 400 degrees for about 20 minutes.
- Add them to your soup – Zucchini is a great addition to any soup or stew. Just add it in with the other vegetables, and you’ll have a tasty and healthy meal in no time.
- Make zucchini fries – Zucchini fries are a delicious and easy way to use up your extra zucchini. Just slice the zucchini into fry-sized pieces, coat with bread crumbs, and bake at 400 degrees until golden brown.
- Grate them into muffins – To add some extra nutrition to your baked goods, try grating zucchini into your favorite muffin recipe. You won’t be able to taste the vegetable, but you’ll get all of the health benefits!
So there you have it – five delicious ways to use up your leftover zucchini. Next time you find yourself with extra vegetables, try one of these recipes and enjoy!
Zucchini Recipes
Zucchini Patties
This cheesy zucchini recipe is basically a grated zucchini with eggs, onion, flour, and cheese, fried into delectable savory pancakes.
Sautéed Zucchini
Seasoned with garlic and chicken bouillon, this luscious zucchini recipe is made of sweet onion, tomato, and of course, zucchini.
Fried Zucchini
Fried zucchini is a simple and delicious recipe that may have a thin and crispy cornmeal coating. This recipe is largely made of eggs and flour.
Wrap Up
Yes, you can freeze zucchini. Frozen zucchini will last for 6-8 months in the freezer if stored properly. Remove skin and seeds and slice the zucchini before freezing. You can freeze it as long strands or cubes. Lay them out on a parchment paper-covered baking sheet so they do not touch each other and freeze for a couple of hours. When the zucchini is frozen, put them in a zip-lock bag and put the bag back in the freezer.
Now that you know how to freeze zucchini, please share your experience with me in the comment section below. How do you plan to use frozen zucchini?
