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I don’t have a recipe for you today, because I have been busy busy busy in the garden trying to preserve everything I grew this year. What you see in the above picture, that’s just the first crop of Zucchini. Since those were picked, I have twice more picked around the same amount. It’s safe to say, we’ll be eating A LOT of zucchini for the next little while.
It was a bit ironic last night I was cooking up some Rice-A-Roni for dinner. My plan was to saute some zucchini on the side and fry up some chicken with it as well. When I started reading the directions to cook the rice, I noticed it had a chicken and rice recipe on the box – and under that recipe the add in option of zucchini. So instead of 3 separate pan, I used 1 and cooked everything together. It was pretty good too.
Back on topic here – did you grow a garden this year? Did you plant Zucchini? If you did, and it was like me, your first time growing zucchini, you are probably also swimming in zucchini. My first two crops I took to my moms house. Our last crop, picked yesterday, I took care of all on my own.
Preserving Zucchini
If you’d like to preserve your zucchini the best way to do that, is in the freezer.
What you’ll need
Zucchini
quart sized freezer bags
food processor with grating attachment OR a cheese grater
a spoon
Process
Begin by washing all the zucchini. Cut off the ends, and throw them away.
If you are using a food processor (and I strongly urge you to, even if it means borrowing one from a neighbor), you’ll want to slice the zucchini in half lengthwise, and scoop out all the seeds. Then use the food processor to shred the zucchini.
Fill each qt bag with 3-4 cups of shredded zucchini. Most recipes call for at most 4 cups, so you will now have the perfect portion in each bag for baking.
If you choose to use a cheese grater (not my ideal, but I did it last night and it does work), cut your zucchini into spears, like you would a cucumber. Don’t worry about the seeds. Then go to town grating. This method does take much longer.
I did not shred all my zucchini, because it isn’t just for baking. Here are some other ways and meal ideas you can use that zucchini for.
sliced and quartered – perfect for stir fry, and sauteing.
Sliced into rounds – these could be breaded and fried
Cut into spears – also great for stir fry
Check out my freezer – I HAD to eat all the rest of our ice cream so I could fit in the zucchini. Can you believe Mark said I didn’t have to eat the ice cream..he thought I could just throw it away. shaking my head in unbelief!
The top shelf is filled to the back with zucchini, with only one bag of chicken taking up some space. The door is also stuffed with bags of zucchini and rhubarb.
~FEATURES~
Check out all these different ways you could use Zucchini!
Fresh Zucchini Tart
If you like quiche, you’ll probably enjoy this tart. Just try it!
Carrot Zucchini Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
zucchini is the perfect healthy ingredient to add to baked goods! This recipe doubles the nutrition with the carrots.
Summer Stir-fry
by far my favorite way to eat zucchini.
Adelina, you need a freezer JUST for zucchini! Thanks for the party, and have a great week!
I truly do! But Mark told me we couldn't afford a stand alone freezer right now…and he's probably right. Thank goodness my mom is letting me store some.
Thanks for stopping by!
This is such a timely post, Adelina! We are getting TONS of zucchini in our CSA box right now, and I a) didn't know I could store it and b) needed some new recipes to try. Win-win in this very post. Thanks so much!
I don't know what a CSA box is (but if you get veggies in them, sounds awesome!). I'm glad this post could help you out. I just hope you don't get sick of the many zucchini recipes I'm sure to be posting the rest of the year
I tell you Adelina…I better get my hands on some zucchini right now! I tell my kids to try a new food all the time It's about time I follow my own advice. I think I will try the Summer Stir Fry first! Thank You for hosting the party! Have a great weekend.
haha Lizbeth! Have you never tried zucchini? I admit it's not my favorite veggie, and in a month or so I'll probably really hate it, but at least we've got food in the house 🙂
Thanks a lot for hosting.What a great party! Have a great week end.
Your zucchini looks awesome and thanks for the idea on how to use them. Have linked up..
I looooooooove zucchini!!
thank you for the party Adelina and have a good weekend
Adelina,
You have the healthiest looking freezer ever. I hope you try my zucchini pancakes they are my family's favorite way to eat zucchini. http://www.simplelivingeating.com/2012/02/meatless-monday-zucchini-pancakes.html Glad your garden was great. We got a creature in ours that ate up everything.
I will definitely have to try those Diane!
My zucchini is doing terrible this year! I'm so jealous! I'll link up my zucchini recipes I put on this week!
I didn't know how to preserve zucchini like that, thanks for the info and for featuring my tart! Have a great weekend.
Thanks so much for featuring my carrot zucchini bars! I really appreciate it!
I love zucchini!!!!! Thank you for this week's link up!
Such a great idea! We didn't grow any zucchini this year..perhaps next year!