How To Freeze Shredded Zucchini. Yes, it’s a thing, let me tell you about it.
Back in 2012 I went out to the garden to pick {what I thought would be} a few zucchini squash so I could make a couple of loaves of zucchini bread. Well apparently it had been awhile since I’ve picked zucchini and I ended up harvesting 70 pounds of zucchini that day. {Just a wee bit more than I needed for a couple of loaves of zucchini bread.}
Now obviously I didn’t stand around the kitchen baking loaves of zucchini bread until the cows came home. Nope. I made my 4 loaves of zucchini bread and then on a whim, decided to shred the rest of the zucchini and pop it in the freezer.
That way, when winter rolled around and I was craving some homemade bread {or was looking for something nutritious to throw in a casserole or a soup} I’d having something I could whip out and use rather than having to head to the grocery store.
And you know what? It worked like a charm.
Fast forward 10 years later and I am still shredding and freezing the extra zucchini from our garden every summer. It’s worked so well for us over the years, that I’m pretty sure I’ll be doing this until I’m a little old lady with grey hair. 😉
Shredding zucchini and freezing it. What a genius idea!
How to Freeze Shredded Zucchini
- Grate zucchini {if you have large zucchini cut them in half and remove the seeds first}.
- Place shredded zucchini in a colander and then place the colander in a bowl to drain.
- After 30 minutes press down on the zucchini to remove more excess liquid.
- Fill quart sized freezer bags with 2 cups of zucchini each.
- Zucchini can be frozen for up to one year.
Most standard zucchini bread recipes call for 2 cups of shredded zucchini. If your favorite recipes calls for more or less, just adjust how much you put in the bag.
This is seriously a super easy way to make sure your hard work doesn’t go to waste. 🙂
♥Mavis
Looking for some AWESOME zucchini recipes? Here are my top 3 favorites:
- Zucchini Relish – Sounds weird but it’s crazy good!
- Zucchini Cupcakes – Trust me, they’ll never know it’s in there!
- Vegan Zucchini Bread with Chocolate Chips – It’s our go to zucchini bread recipe.
Looking for a few more ways to use up some of your zucchini? The Zucchini Houdini
Kelly says
Oh I’ve frozen zucchini lots of times and it works like a charm! Although, I have never drained the liquid from it. In fact, I like to leave the extra liquid in there as I think it makes the bread more moist. But I’m sure either way works fine. Nothing like zucchini bread in the middle of winter!
Brenda says
I don’t remove the liquid either I figure you don’t take the liquid out when you use it fresh so why would you take it out to freeze it seems like it would be dry..
April says
I agree. I’ve been freezing shredded zucchini for years and I don’t drain it. The bread needs that liquid. In you are using it in a recipe where you need it drier, you can drain and press out the liquid after thawing.
Ashley says
Wowza! I love how you just happened to find almost 70lbs of zucchinni, lol!
I’ve never shredded it for the freezer, but I’ve steamed and pureed it (for baby food) and then used it in other things like sauces, baking, etc. Shredding it seem easier though ;p
Laura says
I often shred it, put it in cupcake tins and freeze, put in gallon-size bags and pull it out all winter to add to chili, soups, etc. Super easy/good.
Gwenn Ferguson says
I’ve frozen shredded zucchini before and used the thawed out stuff in baked goods, meatloaf, meatballs, casseroles, etc. It’s a great way to sneak in veggies.
cptacek says
I froze 47 cups a few weeks ago.
destiny says
I have frozen zucchini using this exact method. I also have a blue ribbon recipe for chocolate zucchini bread! I managed to slip it into spaghetti sauce, muffins, carrot cake, brownies…
Jennie @ centssaved.com says
I have been thinking about trying this. Thank you. This has given me some motivation!
That would have been a LOT of bread. I noticed one another blog a month ago this lady was baking 12 loaves a day! Each morning! Wowsers.
Mary Ann says
I’m so jealous! I planted zucchini as an afterthought at the end of June here in So Cal and my plants didn’t do very well. I harvested all of 6 zucchini from 2 plants — gave away 4 of them before I decided to look for a zucchini bread recipe, so I only got to make 2 batches (5 small loaves each). It was so delicious (Paula Deen’s recipe) that now I wish I had more zucchini! Too bad you’re so far away. I’d donate to the seed fund for some of that gorgeous zucchini you’re growing!
Alyssa says
SWEET!! I was JUST this morning wondering how to freeze all of the ginormous zucchini’s that neighbors have given to me. Now I know!! Thank you!!!
Lynda says
I use the “Julia Child” method of freezing zucchini: she added a bit of salt to the shredded zukes before draining in the colander…it helps draw out the excess liquid and it doesn’t interfere with the flavor if using for sweets or savory! Then she squeezed the be- geezus out of the zukes, packed in two cup zip bags and then froze…it really works well!
Kerry says
I just froze 24 cups today and 16 cups yesterday. I can’t believe you shred all those zucchini by hand. My Kitchenaide shredding attachment saves me!
Anne says
I’m curious, everyone. Most of the online canning/freezing sites recommend blanching the shredded zucchini before freezing. Has anyone tried it both ways and noticed a difference in flavor or texture?
I’d like to use some of my “shreds” for zucchini frittatas, fritters, meatloaf, and pancakes.
Elizabeth F says
I do not blanch. I shred some and put in 1 cup bags, that I put in a larger gallon size freezer bags. These I just grab one or 2 and add to soup, chili, spaghetti sauce. Do not bother to drain either as the liquid is not important.
Maybe the way you want to use it you would at least want to drain well ahead of time as you would want more separate shreds when comes time to use.
Charyl Greenia says
I’ve done it this way for years. The snack size bags, well packed, hold one cup. Then I put in gallon freezer bag. Pull out whatever I need and reseal the bag. Been doing this for over 35 years.
Robin Welch says
If you find yourself swimming in more try slicing it and dehydrating some. I add it to sauces, dips, soups and it doesn’t take up freezer space.
Mavis says
Ha Ha Ha. Done. Next….. 😉
LA says
How long does it take to dehydrate slices?
subienkow says
Reading all the comments make me feel a little left out. I’ve tried freezing zucchini before (shredded for breads), but even with draining, it always seems to be watered down.
I’ll freeze peppers and use them for mid-winter stir-fries and salsas, though.
ps- nothing against the hand shredder (pun intended), you must have a Kitchenaide? That foolish thing is a God-send!
Betsy says
I do this all the time in the summer. There is only so much zucchini that I can eat over the summer when everything is so fresh and it is great to have zucchini bread in the middle of the winter.
Saralie says
Well I am pumped now, I am going to take out my kitchen-aid shredder and start shredding my zucchini and carrots. I am sure I will be so happy to have them this winter. Thanks for the good post.
Sarah says
Dear beloved, frugal Mavis,
Do you REALLY NOT have a food processor with a grating feature??? In high maint. Suburbia no less? Please tell me that was just a photo op thing, and you don’t actually do all your chopping/grating/purreeing by hand??? If this is honestly the case, Puh-leeze put your Amazon cards to good use and get yourself a KitchenAid, woman! Their biggest one. Your life, andbkitchen, will be forever changed. Even more time for planting…kale!
Sarah in Gibsons (again)
Lindsey says
You should make Goulash with your zucchini!!
tomatoes
zucchini
hot peppers
olive oil
tomato paste
celery
put in a crock pot over night and there you have it!!! I canned 3 batches already! Now to enjoy goulash pizza!
helen-mary says
I use the same method but don’t bother with draining. I form zucchini lumps using a 1 cup measuring cup, then freeze on a cookie sheet. The frozen lumps go in freezer containers or ziploc bags, and I know they are 1 cup each.
Lori says
I have been wanting to freeze up some of our shredded zucchini because I really don’t feel like making any more bread or muffins right now but we always had the watery issue with our frozen zucchini. I think I will try this method and drain it before freezing.
Bonnie says
I put mine in a blender, puree it, freeze in 2 cup bags. Works great for cake, bread, etc
Linda A Rausch says
I like this idea!
Kathy says
I have done this for years. I add the yellow summer squash with it . It is firmer so it helps by not making the zucchini so soft. I also use a food processor with the grater blade and squeeze the mixture in a ricer to take some of the liquid out. This is also great making in a lasagna. I’m going to “rice” some to use like cauliflower rice recipes.
Charlie G, OKC says
Can you use this method with spiralized zucchini noodles?
Jenn says
Oh my gosh thank you!!!! I had no idea you could freeze this beloved veggie!! My kiddos will be so happy to know zucchini bread will be alive in the winter!
Have a beautiful day
Elizabeth says
My husband and I have tons of zucchini we feed it to our chickens and I make tons of zucchini food
Jo Rene Burdgick says
I have an overabundance of zucchini I didn’t know you could freeze it but I will sure be giving it a try.
Aurelie says
You can also dry them as zoodles nests, and use throughout the winter in a variety of ways.
Nicole says
Wow! I didn’t know this. How do you rehydrate!
Rob says
When I defrost the 2 cup portions of frozen zuc, I have a mass that’s a shadow of it’s former self. Two cups frozen is barely 1 cup after thaw.
Do you just use it as 2 cups?
Stephanie says
so much overflow from the garden. this is great.