How Long Does Zucchini Last in the Fridge
Zucchini is a delicious summer squash that can sometimes be enjoyed all year round. But how long does zucchini last in the fridge? This is key when planning for the best storage of your zucchini so that you can enjoy it at its best quality.
You can pick up a whole zucchini at the grocery store, or your local farmer’s market. Some of you may even enjoy growing zucchini in your vegetable garden during the summertime.
While the zucchini typically lasts for a long time, it is important to know exactly how long it is usually good for and have the best store in the fridge.
When zucchini is growing on the plant, it needs good air circulation. This is also important after zucchini has been harvested, it should be stored in a place where there is good air circulation, and in a dry place.
No matter if you have a bunch of zucchinis, or just a few, let’s look at the best way to store your raw zucchini. Then we will look at a summary of the best storage methods including cut and cooked zucchini.
Shelf Life of Zucchini
There are several different ways you can store zucchini. Some storage methods work better than others, so let’s take a look at some of the best storage methods, including how to store zucchini in the fridge for the longest-lasting time.
Room Temperature
A whole fresh zucchini can be stored at room temperature for a little while. If you only have a day or two until you need to use the zucchini, then it is OK to be kept at room temperature as long as it is still completely whole and is a fresh zucchini.
The Fridge Crisper Drawer
For longer storage, and the best quality zucchini, the best option is to store raw zucchini in the fridge in the crisper drawer for up to a week. Depending on the conditions and how fresh your zucchini is, it may last slightly longer than a week, but typically seven days is a good rule of thumb.
Rather than just storing your fresh zucchini in the refrigerator, you will have the best result when it is placed into the crisper drawer of your fridge. The crisper drawer will help to keep it nice and fresh for the longest time possible.
Airtight Container in the Fridge
Another storage option is to place your zucchini in an airtight container and put it in the fridge. This works best if your zucchini has been cut into pieces, rather than if it is whole.
Because zucchini has a high water content, and contains a lot of excess moisture, you may want to take a paper towel and pat it down before cooking the squash.
Typically, cut zucchini that is stored in an airtight container in the fridge will last between 3-4 days. If you are in a particularly hot and humid climate, then the time that it last in the fridge may be slightly less.
Plastic Bag in the Fridge
You can also store fresh zucchini slices in a plastic bag in the fridge. If they are cut into small pieces, then placing them in a plastic bag or airtight container is a good option.
Because of the extra moisture trapped inside of the plastic bag in your fridge, then your fresh zucchini will likely last between 3 to 4 days, rather than longer like a whole zucchini does.
Other Zucchini Storage in the Fridge
Paper bag. When you put a whole zucchini in a paper bag and place it inside of the fridge, the paper bag traps in the gasses, and will likely cause your zucchini to ripen much faster than otherwise would.
This means that it will significantly decrease the lifespan of your zucchini when it is kept inside a paper bag.
Plastic wrap. Another storage option would be to wrap your sliced or cut zucchini in plastic wrap. The plastic wrap similar to a plastic bag will trap any excess moisture and shorten the lifespan of your zucchini.
Typically, cut or sliced zucchini that is wrapped in plastic wrap will last between 3 to 4 days in the fridge.
In cold water. Another storage method is to place your whole or sliced zucchini in cold water and place it in the fridge.
This storage method may cause your zucchini to become waterlogged, therefore it is only recommended for a short amount of time, typically one day or less.
Summary of how long Zucchini Will Last
Whole zucchini: a whole zucchini at room temperature will usually last between 1 to 2 days. When that whole zucchini is placed into the fridge, into the crisper drawer, a whole, fresh zucchini will typically last up to one week.
Cut, sliced, or shredded zucchini: cut or sliced zucchini that is stored in an airtight container or sealed in a plastic bag and placed in the fridge will usually last between 3 to 4 days. When that same cut, sliced, or shredded zucchini is placed into the freezer, it will likely last up to three months.
Cooked zucchini: cooked zucchini can be stored in the airtight container or sealed in a plastic storage bag and placed into the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days for the best storage.
The Best Way to Store Zucchini
The best storage method, to make a zucchini last the longest, is to place it into the fridge in the crisper drawer so that it stays nice, cool, and dry, but still exposed to air. This will help to keep your zucchini at its best quality for the longest amount of time.
Simple Steps for the Best Zucchini in the Fridge
The zucchini keeps for quite a while when stored properly in the fridge. When you have fresh zucchini, you don’t need to wash it first, instead place it directly into your fridge, preferably in the crisper drawer, on the vegetable setting.
When stored using this method, then your zucchini will likely last for up to one week, having the best quality for the first 4-5 days. In some cases, your whole zucchini may last even longer, but a good rule of thumb is to estimate it to last up to one week or seven days.
How to Revive Old Zucchini
What if you have zucchini that has been in the fridge for a while, and the skin of the zucchini has become a bit rubbery, or wrinkled? Before throwing it away, there is a quick thing you can do to try and fix the zucchini to revive it and still have it be good to eat.
Take the zucchini and prepare an ice bath. Take a large bowl of ice water, and add some ice cubes to it, then sit the whole zucchini in the ice bath for a few minutes, before pulling it out.
Sometimes the ice bath can revive your old zucchini and make it good to go. However, this will not work if your zucchini has spoiled.
Signs of Spoilage
There a few different ways to tell if your zucchini goes bad. Let’s look at a few of these different ways to tell if you have bad zucchini or if it is still good to eat.
Soft Spots. If there are any soft spots on your zucchini, this is a sign that it has gone bad, and should not be eaten.
Rotten Spots. In addition to soft spots on the zucchini, you can also look for any rotten spots. They might simply be soft, brown, or just plain unusual looking spots on the zucchini. You might also notice that the rotten spots are leaking juice out of them.
Unpleasant Odor. An unpleasant smell is another sign that your zucchini has spoiled and should not be eaten. If the zucchini just plain smells bad, or off, then it has likely spoiled.
Shiny Skin. Another sign the zucchini has gone bad is the skin is super shiny, or even wrinkly. If there is any kind of thing that is off with the skin of the zucchini, this could be a sign that it has gone bad.
Other Storage Methods for Zucchini
At Room Temperature. Zucchini can also be stored at room temperature as long as it is still a whole zucchini. It can be stored at room temperature while the zucchini is whole for 1 to 2 days. For longer storage the whole zucchini should be placed in the fridge.
Frozen Zucchini. Zucchini can also be frozen if desired. You can buy pre-cooked zucchini from the store that is frozen already, or you can store your own fresh sliced zucchini in the freezer for up to three months.
How to Freeze Zucchini
First, you will want to slice the zucchini. Then place the sliced zucchini in a single layer on a baking sheet. Place a baking sheet into the freezer for 1 to 2 hours just until the zucchini is frozen.
After the sliced zucchini is frozen, you’ll want to transfer it to a freezer bag, or another type of sealed container, label and date it then place it back into the freezer for up to three months.
In addition to sliced zucchini, you can also freeze shredded zucchini. You will first want to wash the whole zucchini, then use a box grater to shred it.
Put the shredded zucchini into a freezer bag, lay it flat, and remove any excess air. Then place the zucchini in the freezer bag into the freezer for up to three months. This is a great way to store your shredded zucchini for zucchini bread, or other recipes.
A note from experience: I have tried freezing zucchini both in slices and after it has been shredded. My personal preference is to freeze grated zucchini to use at a later time for recipes such as zucchini bread or zucchini quiche. I have not had the best of luck freezing sliced zucchini, but it may work for you.
Fridge Lifespan of Zucchini
Fresh zucchini can last for 1 to 2 days at room temperature, in most climates, the best way to store your whole, fresh zucchini is to place it in the fridge. For the best result, you will want to place the whole zucchini in the crisper drawer, for up to one week.
Now that you know all these tips and tricks for the best storage methods for zucchini, you can start planning how you want to store your zucchini for the best results. I hope that this has been helpful to you! Thank you so much for stopping by.
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