Freezing Shredded Zucchini

Freezing Shredded Zucchini

Whenever my garden is overflowing with Zucchini (which is most of the summer) - there are always many that get away from me and become too large for sauteing.  I preserve these overgrown zucchinis by shredding and then freezing them.

I use a food processor to shred the zucchini but you may also shred them by hand. 



Shredded zucchini in the food processor

Don't overfill your food processor - as you can see I did in the picture above (oops).

Now fill your baggies - I never put more than 3 cups of shredded zucchini in 1 bag.  I use a vacuum packer but using ziploc baggies is also an option.  If you are using a "food saver" or vacuum packer then you must freeze the zucchini in the bag before actually sealing with the vacuum packer.  As you can see in the picture below - I am temporarily sealing the bag with a chip clip. 

Freeze before vacuum packing! - If you seal before freezing then you will have zucchini juice all over the counter and inside your vacuum packing machine (and the bag will not seal properly).  Place the bag in the freezer for no less than 8 hours.

Sealed after zucchini was frozen.

Label and then it will be ready for winter usage. 

You CANNOT use frozen shredded zucchini to make zucchini bread (trust me I've tried) - the water content is too high and makes the dough gooey and it will never be fully baked in the middle. 

I use my shredded zucchini in soups and chilis - It's wonderful!!