Can You Freeze Zucchini Raw
Today we are going to answer the question can you freeze zucchini raw, as well as look at some step-by-step instructions for the best methods you can use to freeze zucchini. You won’t want to miss out on these helpful tips and tricks for freezing your zucchini.
As a general rule, the answer to can you freeze zucchini raw is, yes. You can freeze zucchini raw. However, you may not always want to freeze your fresh zucchini while it is still raw.
This is because, when you freeze your extra zucchini while raw, for later use, it tends to become extra soggy and have an unusual mushy texture to it that is not fun or tasty. The main determining factor for if you should freeze your zucchini while still raw is not whether you can, but instead what you intend to use it for after it has been frozen.
For example, if you are planning to use your abundance of zucchini in a stir fry, or as zucchini noodles later on, then you will want to blanch it before freezing the zucchini.
But on the other hand, if you grate the zucchini, and intend to use it in zucchini bread or zucchini muffins, then it is okay to freeze it raw. You will just have some extra water to drain out before using it in your baked goods.
Favorite Zucchini Recipes
Sometimes during the summer season, (also known as zucchini season, around here), you might have too much zucchini on hand. If you have extra zucchini, then you might consider freezing it for later use.
No matter if you have zucchini plants that are producing an abundance of zucchini for your harvest this year or is that you simply found a great deal at the grocery store on zucchini, they will only keep for a little while at room temperature as whole zucchini.
After that, you’re going to want to consider if you want to shred your zucchini, make it into frozen zucchini halves or slice the zucchini to freeze for later.
Your summer squash is such a delicious treat that you can enjoy during the summer months, you don’t want to let any of it go to waste. Because of this, you want to determine how you wish to freeze your zucchini, whether it’s in cubes, slices, or shredded.
How you wish to freeze the zucchini for later use will determine the best way to freeze your zucchini, whether it is frozen raw or after it has been blanched.
Freezing Zucchini Different Ways
As we mentioned above, you can freeze raw zucchini, but after it thaws the zucchini tends to have excess water and can turn out not so good if you intend to use it in any other form except for shredded zucchini.
Because of this, we are going to go over instructions on how to blanch zucchini, before freezing it so that you can enjoy frozen zucchini pieces. We will also show you how to shred your zucchini in order to freeze it raw.
The Blanching Process for Raw Zucchini Slices
Blanching your zucchini is a quick cooking process that will help reduce the high water content in your zucchini, to reduce the excess moisture. This will allow your zucchini to be slightly cooked, and will ultimately help your zucchini slices, cubes, or chunks turn out much better after they are frozen.
Let’s look at the step-by-step instructions on how you can blanch raw zucchini. It’s quite an easy process that you can easily do with any extra zucchini you may have on hand.
How to Blanch Zucchini
First, wash your zucchini, then slice the ends off and discard them. Then cut the zucchini as desired. Set the zucchini aside.
Next, take a large pot and fill it with cold water. Place a large pot of water over high heat and bring it to a rolling boil.
While the water is heating up, take another large bowl, and fill it with ice cubes, and cold water. This is your ice bath.
When the large pot of water has reached a rolling boil, add your cut zucchini into the boiling water. Boil for one minute.
After your zucchini has boiled for one minute but not more than three minutes, pour the zucchini into a strainer to remove the excess liquid.
Immediately pour the zucchini into the bowl of ice water and let it rest for 30 seconds to one minute. While the zucchini is in the ice water, stir it so that all of the zucchini cools in the water.
Run the zucchinis through the strainer once more, to drain any excess liquid.
Freezing Process for Blanched Zucchini
After the zucchini has been blanched and drained, you can take a piece of parchment paper and line a baking sheet with it. Then add the blanched zucchini in a single layer onto the parchment paper. Place the baking sheet into the freezer for 1-2 hours, just so that the zucchini is frozen.
After the blanched zucchini has been frozen for 1 to 2 hours, you will want to transfer it to freezer bags or another type of airtight container to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for up to 3-4 months for the best results.
When you are ready to use your frozen zucchini, all you must do is remove it from the freezer, then cook it as desired. It’s as easy as that!
Freezing Raw Zucchini: The Easiest Way
The easiest way to freeze a zucchini is to freeze raw zucchini as shredded zucchini. This is the only way that you will want to freeze raw zucchini, is after it has been shredded.
How to Shred Zucchini
There are two main ways to shred zucchini, the first is to use a box grater, and the other is to use a food processor.
To use a box grater to shred zucchini you want to be very careful. First, wash the zucchini thoroughly, then slice off the ends and discard them. Then carefully rub the zucchini on the largest section of the box grater, to shred it. Be very careful that you do not cut your fingers.
The other great way to shred zucchini is to use a food processor. To do this you will want to make sure that your food processor has the appropriate blade to shred zucchini, then assemble your food processor.
Take the zucchini, wash each one thoroughly, and slice off the ends. You may also need to cut the zucchini as needed so that it fits into your food processor. Carefully feed the zucchini into the food processor until all of your zucchini is shredded.
Freezing Shredded Zucchini
After your zucchini has been shredded, you can begin to freeze the zucchini. To freeze zucchini, you’ll want to place the shredded zucchini into plastic bags, or an airtight container. My preference is to use a plastic freezer bag that seals securely.
Before filling the freezer bags, squeeze out as much extra juice from the zucchini as possible. Then scoop the shredded zucchini into the plastic bags. Press out any excess air before sealing the bags. You will want to make sure that the containers don’t have much air in them so that the zucchini does not become freezer burnt.
Before freezing the shredded zucchini, make sure to label and date the plastic bags, then flatten them as much as possible before placing them into the freezer. Freeze for up to 3 to 6 months for the best results.
When you’re ready to use your frozen shredded zucchini, you’ll want to remove it from the freezer and allow the shredded zucchini to thaw. After the shredded zucchini has thawed, you will likely want to drain any excess liquid from the zucchini before adding it to your baked goods recipe.
Helpful Tips
Avoiding Extra Moisture. Avoiding excess moisture is the main concern when looking at whether you can freeze raw zucchini or not. This is because once zucchini is frozen, then thawed and cooked, it will likely have even more moisture to it, and may even become an odd texture, due to the excess moisture.
This is why if you have any extra vegetables laying around, it’s always a good idea to blanch them before freezing them. This way you can have your frozen zucchini stay good much longer.
Fresh Zoodles. Here’s a word of advice about zoodles, or frozen zucchini noodles. That is fresh zucchini noodles are going to taste much better than ones that have been frozen. This is largely due to the excess moisture content in the zucchini.
Favorite Ways to Use Zucchini
Some of the most popular ways to use zucchini is in zucchini muffins, zucchini bread, or even in zucchini pancakes. However, if you’re looking to freeze zucchini, you can use shredded zucchini after it has been frozen in baked goods such as muffins or bread. However blanched zucchini is going to be much better suited for stir frys or quiche pie with zucchini.
Freezing Zucchini
In answer to can you freeze zucchini raw, the answer is yes you can, but it is not always recommended. This is because of the extra moisture content in the zucchini, which can make it not turn out well after it has been frozen when raw.
If you’re looking to freeze raw zucchini then it is best done after the zucchini has been shredded, then used for baked goods. Sliced zucchini on the other hand can be frozen, after it has been first blanched.
We hope that these tips and tricks for can you freeze zucchini raw have been helpful to you. Now you can determine if zucchini is best frozen raw for your purposes, or if you should blanch it before freezing it. Let’s get started freezing zucchini to enjoy later!
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