How to Freeze Zucchini The Easy Way
In this post: How to freeze zucchini the easy way! Step by step directions for freezing zucchini to use in cookies, cakes & breads.
It’s that time of year. Even though summer is definitely still here, I have to admit I’m thinking about fall. I’m not ready for it…just thinking about it. One of my favorite things to do when the cooler days appear is retreat to my kitchen and bake. Fall recipes mean comfort food. Comfort food means homemade bread, fresh from the oven. One of my favorite quick bread recipes is zucchini bread, and it’s delicious when made with freshly shredded zucchini. It’s also a very good idea to freeze some summer zucchini so you can make breads, muffins, and cakes all winter long. Soooo…here I am with a quick tutorial on how to freeze zucchini.
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How to Freeze Zucchini
Any size zucchini can be used for shredding, even the enormous ones that come from gardens. If you aren’t a vegetable gardener, zucchini can be found in groceries and at farmers markets during the summer months.
- Gather your washed zucchini, a cutting board, a sharp knife, and a mini food processor. (Two medium zucchini will chop up to equal about two cups of shredded. 2 cups is your go-to amount for most recipes.)
- Chop the zucchini into small pieces and shred in a food processor.
- You will need to do this in batches. Place the batches in a measuring cup,
- Place the shredded zucchini, in 2 cup increments, into resealable plastic bags. Flatten the bags and press out as much air as possible. Mark the bags with the date.
- The shredded, bagged zucchini is placed immediately in the freezer.
Freezing Zucchini Tips
- I had four zucchini and they shredded to equal 4 cups. Long ago, I used to shred my zucchini with a hand grater. It wasn’t hard, but it took some time. A food processor is easier, but if you don’t have one, a regular old grater will work.
- The bagged, shredded zucchini is placed immediately in the freezer. Frozen, it will keep for up to three months. I have kept it longer and still used it…and it was fine. I wouldn’t keep it for longer than six months.
- Freezing zucchini noodles: Spiralize your zucchini. Place the noodles in a colander and sprinkle with kosher salt. Lightly toss the noodles and let them drain in the colander for 30 minutes. Place on paper towels and pad dry. Place the noodles in resealable bags.
Zucchini Tips from Readers
The comment section on my blog is a wealth of information from my readers. Here are some zucchini tips that were shared by wonderful readers who are pros at baking & cooking.
- After shredding your zucchini, DON’T DRAIN IT. Preserve as much liquid as you can, and add it to your freezer bags. If the zucchini is drained, your breads and cakes will lack that wonderful moistness.
- Make up the zucchini bread batter, put it in freezer bags, and freeze flat. It stores easily, and fresh bread is just a thaw away.
- Shredded zucchini can be added to spaghetti sauce. (I think this is brilliant…and I would have never thought of it!)
Easy recipes that use zucchini:
Also, I make my Z bread in the blender; my oil and eggs, cinnamon, b soda, etc. come up to about 2 cups on the measure on the side. I add chunks of Z, skins and all (toughest seeds removed) and “grate” until the amount equals what the recipe calls for. Nicking my spatula occasionally is a heckuva easier on me than grating my knuckles!
I liked your freezing zucchini hints. I love the oversized ones with thick green skins (almost like a pumpkin’s) for multiple batches of ZB and Choc Z Cake. My Maine cellar floor is cool–but not as cold as the fridge (where it turns to green slime!). I can keep zucchini into Nov. and Dec. Which is a great time for our Nov. church bazaar and Christmas gifting! And saves my limited freezer space!
I see that you can freeze zucchini bread batter and it was suggested to do that flat. Is there a reason for that? Or just to have room in the freezer??
I’m not 100% sure…but I think it would be much easier to store if the bags were flat. It always helps to remove as much air from bags before placing in the freezer too. Thank you!
I could not believe that freezing zucchini bread batter would actually work, but I tried it after reading about it on your blog. It was a tip from another reader. It works beautifully!
I have been grating and freezing zucchini for years using this same method. For those wondering, I have found that draining the liquid after thawing results in baked goods that are too dry. I keep all the liquid and my breads and cakes turn out nice and moist.
I used to make Zucchini Bread frequently when my children were young but haven’t made it in several years. These recipes are great and have rekindled my enthusiasm to get busy in my kitchen! I’m going to try the Bundt Cake first! Loved the cornbread corn casserole recipe too!! Thank you Ann!
I have a zuchine bread that I have Made since 1976 and I put put 1/4 tsp of ground cloves in with flour I also put 1 cup walnuts. It is really diff. and very good. Try it!
Hi Laura! I do sometimes add walnuts too. My daughter prefers it without though!
Great tip Ann! I think zucchini breads are perfect all year!
Hi Ann, I had to check your recipe for the Zucchini Nut Bread as I just made a few the other day to bring to work for our “Race for the Cure” fundraiser. My recipe is almost the same but I add raisins with walnuts. Love it! Linda
I make up my zucchini bread batter put it in freezer bags and freeze flat. Store easily and fresh bread is just a thaw away.
This is an incredible tip. Thank you!
I absolutely love your decorating, all of the blue colors. Zucchini…aahh…I just started my own blog and posted about zucchini. Would appreciate your visit sometime at LLfarmblog.blogspot.com
I haven’t frozen zucchini in a few years. I do the hand grating… just gotten watch the fingers at the end). :)
What do you do with the zucchini after you shred it??
Hi Tracy!
Just throw the bags in the freezer. When you are ready to bake just thaw it out a few hours before!
This is a great tip for making use of that extra zucchini that comes our way in the summer. I freeze mine in 2 cup measures too, and then thaw it before adding to a zucchini bread recipe. And shredded zucchini can also be added to spaghetti sauce, or drained and made into a quiche with some sauteed onions…yum! I love your blog, Ann – you include so many different things!
Hi Martha!
Adding to spaghetti sauce is brilliant. Thanks for the tip!
I freeze mine too, there’s nothing better than zucchini bread warm from the oven. I shred mine with my kitchen aid attachment. I’m not sure I would even bother if I had to do it by hand.
Ann,
Thanks so much for sharing this tutorial! We have enjoyed lots of recipes with zucchini in them this summer, but I am so glad that I will now be able to bake with it in the off season this fall too! Thanks again! Love your blog!!!
Sounds good! I love the Fall weather but it can wait awhile. At the moment I’m enjoying Summer.
What a great idea… I love fall and I am ready for it! These hot summer days are for the birds!
We don’t plant zucchini, but last year a friend gave us some and I made zucchini bread with chocolate chips. This year, I plan to bake lemon zucchini bread with a glaze which I found on Pinterest. Thank you for your tips and tricks.
So…that’s it? Just grate, ziplock, and freeze? For soups, sauces, I’ll just toss in frozen, but for baked goods? Should I defrost first and then blot some of the excess moisture? And what’s the best way to defrost? Room temp or overnight in fridge? Thanks!
Hi Kim!
Yep…just grate, bag and freeze. When I want to bake with it I remove from the freezer a few hours before. Actually in the refrig overnight would work just as well. I don’t usually drain or blot any extra moisture. I dump the contents of the bag right into my batter. Draining it though would be fine I’m sure. Your batter might be a bit thicker but that might be good!
This is great and your zucchini is pretty. I grew a different kind this year and I don’t like it as much because the skin is harder than I prefer. Most of it is headed to the freezer later today as I like to add it to sauce and soup in the winter. Great post!
Carole @ Garden Up green
Well, I do have an abundance so I will be freezer some of mine for fall bread too! Thanks for the tip Ann.