Learn How to Freeze Zucchini! Whether grated, diced or sliced into rounds, freezing zucchini is easy and enables you to enjoy that fresh summer produce all year round! We’ll show you how to blanch zucchini and prepare it for freezing so that it lasts longer and retains its nutrition, texture and flavor!
What do you do with all that zucchini before it goes bad?? Every year I hear that question asked by people seeking advice on how to use up their bumper crop of zucchini. And you can only make so much zucchini bread, right? The answer: Freeze it!
Zucchini is a delicious, nutritious and versatile vegetable. I grow loads of it every year in my garden to enjoy throughout the summer and then I freeze a bunch of it to last our family through the winter. Whether you found a great deal on zucchini at the store or farmer’s market, were gifted a bunch by a gardening friend, or have a bumper crop of your own, freezing zucchini is a great way to preserve this vegetable that otherwise only has a short shelf life in the fridge.
Can You Freeze Zucchini Raw?
You can but you shouldn’t. It will negatively impact color, texture, flavor and length of storage time. To prevent all of that zucchini needs to be blanched first before freezing it.
Do You Have to Blanch Zucchini Before Freezing?
Blanching is an important step when it comes to freezing most vegetables for several reasons: Blanching stops enzymes that lead to spoilage and cause the veggies to become mushy. It also enables the vegetables to retain their vibrant colors, their texture, and their nutrients. If you skip blanching and freeze zucchini raw they will develop dull, faded colors, off flavors and poor textures. So however tempting it might be don’t skip this step!
How Long Can You Freeze Zucchini?
Frozen zucchini can be frozen for 6-8 months.
How to Use Frozen Zucchini
Zucchini is so versatile, here are just a few ideas:
- Zucchini Bread (try our Lemon Zucchini Bread and Lemon Lime Zucchini Cake and Chocolate Zucchini Cake)
- Zucchini Muffins
- Chocolate Zucchini Cupcakes
- Zucchini Fritters
- Creamy Zucchini Soup
- Zucchini Au Gratin
- Frittatas
- Stir fries
- Soups & Stews
- Casseroles
How to Freeze Zucchini
Let’s get started!
Slice, dice or shred the zucchini, according to how you plan on using it. (When I’m freezing zucchini to add to soups/stews or to puree for soups and sauces I dice the zucchini. If I’m freezing it to use in muffins or zucchini bread I shred it.)
Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
Fill a large bowl with water and ice cubes.
Carefully dump the zucchini in the pot of boiling water and cover with the lid. Immediately set the timer for 2 minutes. For shredded zucchini set the timer for 1 minute.
Once the time is up immediately pour the zucchini in a colander.
Immediately after pouring the zucchini in the colander to drain, plunge the zucchini in the ice water bath. Let it cool in the ice bath for 2 minutes.
Drain the zucchini again.
Lay the zucchini out in a single layer on a lined baking sheet and blot with paper towels.
Place the baking tray in the freezer and freeze for 1-2 hours or until the zucchini is frozen.
Remove the zucchini from the tray and place it in freezer bags or containers.
Label and date. The zucchini will keep in the freezer for 6-8 months.
Enjoy!
Be sure to also check out our tutorials on
- How to Freeze Kale (and other leafy greens)
- How to Freeze Okra
- How to Freeze Green Beans
- How to Freeze Leeks
How to Freeze Zucchini
Ingredients
- zucchini (choose only fresh zucchini as soft or wrinkled zucchini will not freeze well)
- boiling water
- ice water
Instructions
- Slice, dice or shred the zucchini, according to how you plan on using it. (When I'm freezing zucchini to add to soups/stews or to puree for soups and sauces I dice the zucchini. If I'm freezing it to use in muffins or zucchini bread I shred it.)Bring a large pot of water to a boil.Fill a large bowl with water and ice cubes.Carefully dump the zucchini in the pot of boiling water and cover with the lid. Immediately set the timer for 2 minutes. For shredded zucchini set the timer for 1 minute.Once the time is up immediately pour the zucchini in a colander.Immediately after pouring the zucchini in the colander to drain, plunge the zucchini in the ice water bath. Let it cool in the ice bath for 2 minutes.Drain the zucchini again.
- Lay the zucchini out in a single layer on a lined baking sheet and blot with paper towels.Place the baking tray in the freezer and freeze for 1-2hours or until the zucchini is frozen.Remove the zucchini from the tray and place it in freezer bags or containers.Label and date. The zucchini will keep in the freezer for 6-8 months.
Kim says
Thank you for this “how to”. We are overrun with zucchini this year.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
You’re very welcome, Kim! <3
Ann says
If you want to purée your zucchini should you do it after blanching and before freezing or purée it once it’s thawed?
Kimberly Killebrew says
Hi Ann, you can do it either way, it really doesn’t matter. It just comes down to whether you want to take the extra step in advance and be done with it or wait until you’re ready to use it.
Nicole says
Will this preserve zucchini for future grilling as well?
Kimberly Killebrew says
Hi Nicole, you can but for the purpose of grilling the texture won’t be anywhere near as good as fresh.
Diane says
Wow I wish I would have seen this sooner I froze my zucchini In long slices for lasagna but I did not Blanche at 1st. It has been 6 months and still looks nice, do you think I should thaw it before before I put my lasagna together.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Hi Diane, yes, I would thaw and thoroughly drain it first. Happy cooking! :)
Di says
I knew about blanching vegetables before freezing but I had no idea that you could blanch shredded vegetables! No more wasting zucchini for me! If I freeze one cup of zucchini, do I get one cup of thawed Zucchini or should I freeze a little more to make sure I have enough for a recipe?
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Hi Di, yes, if you freeze one cup of shredded zucchini, when it thaws you’ll have the same amount. As it thaws and drains it will look like less because of the water loss but it will be comparable to had you used a cup of fresh grated zucchini.
Toni Dash says
Thank you so much for this! Very helpful!
Erin says
Freezing zucchini needs to happen at my house very soon!
Jamie says
A neighbor just gave us a bunch of zucchini so this was a life-saver!
Amanda says
This is so helpful, thank you!
Haley D. Williams says
I had no idea you could freeze zucchini! This is great because I have so much leftover from the garden. Thank you!
Beth says
This was very helpful and made it so much easier! Thank you for the tips and hints!