With its restrained taste, the zucchini is a versatile expert in the kitchen. Summer is the time when she graces us fresh. But even in autumn, winter and spring, with the friendly support of the freezer, we don't have to do without them.

Zucchini can be frozen raw or cooked

Zucchini is not just zucchini

Anyone who tends their own vegetable garden knows that zucchini can grow to an impressive size and weigh more than a kilo. In the trade, on the other hand, we mostly encounter small specimens.

The smaller fruits are also the ones that lend themselves better to freezing. Large squash, which is what a zucchini is, contains a lot more water and gets mushy after thawing.

  • preferably freeze smaller zucchini
  • they should also be fresh and flawless

When will they be given over to the frost?

Zucchini are a summer vegetable that thrive in the garden during the warm season. At the same time, trade scores with low prices and health-conscious people will also find the best organic quality there.

Since the tender pumpkins can withstand frosty temperatures in the freezer for a long time, feel free to grab them and bring larger quantities into your kitchen at home. Don't forget: Make room in the freezer in good time.

Zucchini in three variants

You have a lot of leeway when freezing zucchini, because they can get into the freezer containers in different ways:

  • raw
  • blanched
  • already prepared

Freeze raw zucchini

  1. Wash the zucchini and then dry the fruit.
  2. Cut the zucchini into cubes or slices. Grated zucchini is also ideal for some dishes.
  3. Put the zucchini pieces in a sieve and sprinkle them with a little salt. The salt will pull some of the water out of them, so the courgettes will stay crunchier after thawing.
  4. After about 15 minutes, pat the zucchini dry with paper towels.
  5. Fill the pieces into freezer containers in portions.
  6. Label each container with the contents and date, and then immediately place in the freezer.

Freeze zucchini blanched

Blanching reliably kills off microorganisms, making the courgettes even more durable. After the fruits are washed and cut, they are placed in boiling water for about two to four minutes, depending on the size of the pieces, and then quenched in ice water.

Freeze finished zucchini dishes

Ratatouille, zucchini soup and grilled zucchini slices can also be frozen without any problems. Place leftover and cooled portions in a freezer container as soon as possible and then in the freezer.

tips

Don't overcook zucchini dishes destined for the freezer so they don't get too mushy after defrosting.

durability

Frozen zucchini can be kept for a year. The shelf life of prepared zucchini dishes is reduced to six months.

Defrost gently

The courgettes should be thawed gently at room temperature so they don't become mushy. After that, they should be used up as soon as possible. You can add grated zucchini to cooking food when frozen.

Conclusion for fast readers:

  • Suitable zucchini: Smaller zucchini are better suited for the freezer than large specimens
  • Timing: Summer is ideal, it's harvest time and retailers score with low prices
  • Variations: Zucchini can go in the freezer raw, blanched, or ready-made
  • Step 1: Wash zucchini and cut into cubes or slices. Rasping is also possible
  • Step 2: Place zucchini in a colander and sprinkle with salt; Leave for 15 minutes
  • Step 3: Dry the pieces with paper towels and place in portions in freezer containers
  • Freeze: Label container and place in freezer immediately.
  • Blanching: Can, but doesn't have to be. Cook for two to four minutes, then shock in ice water
  • Blanching: cool and drain zucchini, then freeze
  • Ready Meals: Ratatouille, zucchini soup and grilled zucchini slices freeze easily
  • Tip: Do not cook food for the freezer through so that it does not become too mushy when defrosted
  • Shelf life: Zucchini can be frozen for 12 months, cooked food only six months
  • Thawing: Defrost gently at room temperature; Graters come frozen in cooking foods

The garden journal freshness ABC

How can fruit and vegetables be stored correctly so that they stay fresh for as long as possible?

The garden journal freshness ABC as a poster:

  • as a free PDF file to print out yourself

Category:

Vegetable garden