Can you freeze zucchini? The answer is YES! In fact zucchini freezes well whether it’s chopped, grated or spiralized. Perfect for adding to your favorite zucchini recipes.

Garrison Keillor (a famous Minnesota radio host) is known for saying that “July is the only time of year when country people lock our cars in the church parking lot, so people won’t put squash on the front seat“.

It makes total sense to me because by the time the summer is in full force I have such an abundance of zucchini in our garden that it feels like I should be paying people to take it off my hands!

That is until I discovered I could freeze zucchini. In fact I usually end our garden season with enough frozen zucchini to last through the winter. So if you’re wondering if you can freeze zucchini the answer is YES and I’m here to show you how.

Benefits of Frozen Zucchini

The benefits of fresh zucchini also applies to frozen zucchini. Zucchinis are a low carb vegetable that is also high in nutrients. In particular it is a great source of fiber, vitamin A and the antioxidants carotenoids — including lutein, zeaxanthin, and beta-carotene.

Zucchini doesn’t have much flavor so it’s perfect for adding to sweet recipes for an added nutritional punch or to sauces and soups since they won’t affect the flavor.

How to Freeze Sliced Zucchini

Freezing zucchini is fairly easy though it does require the extra step of blanching to preserve flavor and texture. I would not recommend freezing whole, unblanched zucchini or chopped, unblanched zucchini.

Step 1) Chop zucchini into desired shape (I like half moons or quarters).

Step 2) Heat water and a tablespoon of salt in a large pot on the stove top until boiling. Blanch zucchini by adding it to boiling water for 1 minute.

Step 3) Drain zucchini and immediately add it to an ice bath (A large bowl with a cup of ice cubes) until zucchini has cooled.

Step 4) Place a sheet of parchment paper on a baking sheet and line up blanched zucchini in a single layer. Pat dry. Freeze for 3-4 hours.

Step 5) Place frozen zucchini in a freezer safe bag or ziplock bag.

How to Freeze Grated Zucchini

Step 1) Grate or shred your zucchini using a box grater or food processor attachment.

Step 2) Place shredded zucchini in a dish cloth, two layers of paper towel or a mesh bag and squeeze to remove all excess moisture.

Step 3) Place grated zucchini in a freezer bag or ziplock bag.

Thaw on counter or in a bowl of warm water to speed up thawing process. Use as directed in any recipe that uses grated zucchini.

Can You Freeze Zucchini Noodles?

Yes! You’ll want to blanch your zoodles like you would with chopped or sliced zucchini and pat with a paper towel to remove all excess moisture. Freeze on a sheet pan and then store in a large ziplock or freeze bag. I personally find spiralized zucchini gets a bit soggy when reheated so this is not my preference but can work in a pinch.

How Long Does Frozen Zucchini Last?

You can freeze blanched, chopped zucchini or freeze shredded zucchini in an airtight freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Try to remove as much air as possible to keep zucchini fresh and then seal well. I recommend using a label with the date you froze your zucchini if you plan to make several batches.

Ways to Use Frozen Zucchini

You can add frozen, chopped zucchini to just about any recipe but I like using it in soups and stews and pasta. I prefer to use shredded zucchini in baked goods, smoothies and sauces.

Here are some of my favorite zucchini recipes: