Everything You Need to Know about Zucchini

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My family hasn’t always been a fan of zucchini but in summer and fall  it’s plentiful and affordable, especially if you garden or have friends who do.

Several years ago I took on the challenge of teaching my family to enjoy zucchini. It takes time and trying several different methods of making it to start this process but I’m nothing if not stubborn, and that’s my answer when people ask how I get my kids to eat so many things – 1) be more stubborn.

Once my husband starts choosing to cook with an ingredient I know my job is complete. He’s made several amazing dishes with zucchini that I need to share in the future. I’m not sure which was the best – pizza with fried zucchini on top or the zucchini and turkey burger sandwich he made.

What is Zucchini

Zucchini is a summer squash with origins in North America. You generally find it in the grocery store in “baby” form. About the size of a cucumber, this is when it is the most tender and best for cooking. The more mature it gets the tougher the skin gets, the foamier the middle gets, and the bigger the seeds get. I usually grate zucchini once it is larger than 3 inches in diameter and use it in recipes like soups, cakes, and this family favorite zucchini chocolate chip baked oatmeal. For more information on the origins of zucchini you can check this link. It’s quite interesting if you like to know the what and where of your food. Oh, and can’t forget this, zucchini is a great source of Vitamin C.

How to Choose Zucchini

You will find zucchini in the cooler section of the produce department, usually near the yellow squash and cucumbers. Look for a firm green vegetable free of soft spots and gashes.

How to Use Zucchini

You can slice young zucchini and serve it raw like many other vegetables but my family prefers it cooked. It grills beautifully, bakes well, fries nicely, and goes well in quick stir fries, soups, and baked goods.

How to Preserve Zucchini

I love to collect mature zucchini from friends for preserving – not only does it help them find a home for the surplus but it’s so budget friendly for me. Next summer I am planning to grow my own. I am so excited to be able to have my own garden for the first time.

Freezing Zucchini

I have frozen zucchini in rounds and shredded. I find I use the shredded zucchini more so I freeze it measured out into the amounts I need for our favorite recipes – generally 2 or 4 cups. It is recommended that you blanch the zucchini before freezing as it breaks down faster. I’ve gone the “lazy route” in the past but blanching it is fairly easy.

Blanching Zucchini

You can blanch rounds or cubes of zucchini as most other vegetables.

1. Bring stock pot of water to a boil.
2. Prepare a bowl of ice water (to stop the cooking process and cool the zucchini after blanching).
3. Add zucchini to boiling water.
4. Blanch for 3 minutes.
5. Remove zucchini from water and give a quick ice bath.
6. Drain then package and freeze.

TIP: Flash Freezing: If you want your zucchini to freeze in individual pieces, spread them out on a cookie sheet that’s been covered in parchment, waxed, or freezer paper. Put in freezer for 1 hour then package as you wish for freezing.

Steam Blanching Zucchini

If you are freezing grated zucchini you will want to steam blanch it.

1. Put 2-3 inches of water in bottom of a pan and fit a fine sieve, steamer basket, or mesh colander over the top of it.
2. Bring water to a boil.
3. Prepare a bowl of ice water (to stop the cooking process and cool the zucchini after blanching).
4. Put zucchini in colander/steamer basket.
5. Steam cook for 2 minutes (zucchini will look translucent).
6. Remove zucchini from water and give a quick ice bath.
7. Drain then package and freeze. (You can also flash freeze per the tip above.)

TIP: I use my salad spinner to get excess water off my produce after blanching and before freezing.

Canning Zucchini

I don’t play with canning recipes too much since I’m not an expert at pH balances and don’t want to risk killing anyone but I have several go-to resources any time I can – Fresh Preserving and Food in Jars. I have a pressure canner but it needs a few pieces replaced (it’s the canner we used when I was a kid) so I only use recipes that can be waterbath canned. See everything I use to waterbath can and steps that show just how easy it is. My favorite recipe is Zucchini Relish in the Ball Blue Book. People can never believe it’s zucchini instead of cucumbers.

There’s one thing we haven’t learned and that’s how to grow zucchini. Wait until spring then grab those zucchini seeds and we will learn how to grow it too.

Zucchini Recipes

Chorizo Zucchini Chili

Zucchini Feta Salad

Italian Pepper Zucchini Bites

Carob Zucchini Muffins {Egg-free}

Zucchini Chocolate Chip Baked Oatmeal

Summer Veggie Bake

Do you have a favorite zucchini recipe?

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