At the end of September, zucchini begin to disappear from the shelves and prices rise. However, you can still enjoy this vegetable all fall, without jars or sterilization. A simple trick allows you to freeze raw zucchini in just a few minutes. Here’s how to do it.
Freezing zucchini: the quick method
To start, choose very firm zucchini, without spots or damaged parts. Rinse them thoroughly, scrub their skin then cut both ends.
You can then cut them into slices, especially for preparing gratins, or into small cubes, more suitable for soups, sauces and stews. No need to peel them: the skin can stay in place. This saves you time while retaining some of the fiber and green color of the vegetable.
Then place the pieces in a freezer bag, ideally making portions that meet your needs. Squeeze out as much air as possible before closing the bag, then flatten it for easier freezing and storage.
All that remains is to place the zucchini in the freezer, at around -18°C. Remember to write the freezing date on the bag.
Should you blanch zucchini before freezing?
Many experts recommend blanching zucchini before freezing. The principle is simple: immerse the pieces for one to two minutes in boiling water, then cool them immediately in iced water. This step allows them to better preserve their color and texture.
However, this step is not essential. Zucchini can also be placed directly in the freezer, raw and cut up. The Marmiton site also confirms that this method
“works very well this way”.
How to cook frozen zucchini?
No need to wait until the end of fall to enjoy your preparations! Throughout the fall, you can add your frozen zucchini directly to a hot pan, soup, tomato sauce or gratin.
However, pay attention to their texture. Zucchini, very rich in water, becomes more tender after freezing and can release more water when cooked. It will therefore be more suitable for cooked preparations than for a salad or a recipe in which you are looking for a very crunchy texture.
Last precaution: monitor your freezer in the event of a power outage. As the Marmiton website points out, a significant rise in temperature can compromise the preservation of food.