How to Freeze Zucchini—and Zucchini Noodles

Freezing zucchini is a great way to make the most of your summer bounty.

Fact checked by Isaac WinterMedically reviewed by Jessica Levinson, MS, RDN, CDN

Did you know you can freeze zucchini for later use—much like how you freeze various foods? If you have a surplus of nutrient-rich zucchini and not enough time to cook it all, don’t worry; you can easily pop it in the freezer for another time. Here, we show you how to freeze zucchini and zucchini noodles (aka zoodles)—and how best to use frozen zucchini. Follow these simple tips for freezing and thawing zucchini so you can use it for all sorts of tasty recipes throughout the year.

Tip

Frozen-then-thawed zucchini will have a softer texture than in its original state, so it's best not to use it for dishes like a salad where you want a little crunch.

How to Freeze Zucchini

Freezing zucchini couldn’t be easier. While you don’t have to blanch zucchini before freezing it, doing so can help preserve its color and quality. Because zucchini has a high water content, it tends to be soft after defrosting—blanched or not—but pre-blanching the zucchini can lessen the soggy factor. For the best way to freeze zucchini, follow the steps below.

Sliced Zucchini

1. Slice zucchini into pieces of roughly the same size, about 1/2 inch thick.

2. Add zucchini slices to a pot of boiling water (unsalted). Boil for about three minutes.

3. Remove sliced zucchini from the boiling water and toss into a bowl of iced water. This stops the cooking process.

4. Lay out the zucchini slices on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.

5. Freeze the zucchini for one to two hours, or until frozen solid, then transfer the slices to an airtight food storage container or freezer bag.

6. Return the zucchini-filled container to the freezer. When stored properly following this method, frozen zucchini lasts about three months in the freezer.

Shredded Zucchini

1. Grate zucchini using a box grater.

2. Blanch the shredded zucchini following the steps above (boil for about three minutes, then add to an ice-water bowl).

3. Squeeze excess moisture out of the shredded zucchini using a cheesecloth.

4. Store the shredded zucchini in an airtight container. We suggest a freezer bag, which can be placed flat in the freezer and labeled with the date of freezing.

5. Transfer the zucchini to the freezer, where it’ll keep well for about three months.

How to Freeze Zucchini Noodles

Zucchini noodles (often called zoodles) are a popular way of eating this summer squash. Here's the best way to freeze these zucchini strips.

1. Add the zucchini noodles to a pot of boiling water for about three minutes, then toss them into a bowl of ice water. This is the blanching process.

2. Pull zoodles from the water, drain, and pat dry with a paper towel. Remove as much moisture as possible.

3. Place the desired amount of zucchini noodles on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. You can make multiple mounds to freeze more than one portion, just be sure to space them out.

4. Freeze the zoodles for a couple of hours until frozen solid. Then, transfer to a freezer bag, separating each portion with parchment paper.

5. Store the frozen zucchini noodles in the freezer and use within three months.

How to Defrost Frozen Zucchini

To thaw frozen zucchini before eating or cooking with it, you can choose one of three methods, depending on the urgency. Whether the zucchini is sliced, shredded, or cut into noodle-like strips, the same guidelines apply.

The easiest way to defrost zucchini is to place the airtight container of frozen zucchini in the refrigerator overnight. To speed up the process, you can submerge the container in cool water. And for even faster results, warm up the frozen zucchini in a microwave or skillet over medium heat.

What Can You Use Frozen Zucchini For?

Frozen zucchini can be added to recipes as-is (without thawing) or after being defrosted. When used in recipes like a green smoothie or soups, it's not necessary to thaw first. You can add the frozen zucchini—sliced or shredded—to stews, pasta sauce, and other similar dishes.

Since thawed zucchini has a softer texture than unfrozen zucchini, it doesn't work well for eating raw, like in this zucchini and bean salad. Instead, add thawed zucchini to baked goods, such as zucchini bread. You can also try it in recipes like our zucchini pie, grilled turkey-zucchini burgers, and zucchini-butter spaghetti.

Related: The Secret to Storing Every Type of Fruit and Vegetable

For more Real Simple news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on Real Simple.