Zucchini Many Ways

Baby Zucchini

The first squash (1 zucchini and 1 crookneck) came off the vines this evening and hit the frying pan, along with some onions, olive oil and butter. With a little salt and pepper to top it all off, it was a wonderful way to start the summer garden produce season. Looking at the vines, there are plenty of baby zucchini and before long, we're going to be inundated. It's all too easy to let zucchini get too big, too old and then it starts going to waste - there's only so much zucchini bread one can make! Rather than let that happen, here are some techniques for preserving zucchini and some not-so-common recipes to help utilize all of that gorgeous zucchini.

I was thinking that zucchini would not freeze well due to the high water content, but evidently it does freeze nicely. You can also dehydrate zucchini for use in soups and stews - a nice addition in the cold winter months. Zucchini evidently makes good pickles and relish as well.

5 Ways to Preserve Zucchini

Not everybody likes squash, but most folks (and kids) like 'chips'. You can utilize a lot of zucchini to make chips, a tasty snack or side for picnic fare or to serve with salsa. You can make chips by oven-frying, actually frying or dehydration - here are recipes and ideas for all three methods:

Breaded, oven fried zucchini chips

Oven Baked Zucchini Chips

Zucchini Chips with Spicy Salsa

(Fried) Crispy Zucchini Chips

Fish and (oven-fried) zucchini chips

Dehydrated Zucchini Chips (several spice variations)

If you prefer 'fries', versatile zucchini can do that, too!

Oven Baked Zucchini Fries

I happen to love relish and had no idea that zucchini makes really good relish! The first recipe requires no canning. The zucchini can get soggy the longer it sits, so best to make it fresh and use it quickly - see the recipe reviews for ideas. Of course, canning gives you a product that can be kept and used months later, or perhaps it would make a good homemade gift for a special occasion or person.

Zucchini Relish (no canning)

Sweet Zucchini Relish (canned)

Ball Blue Book (2008) Zucchini Relish & 'Zesty' Zucchini Relish

For links to many other ways to use zucchini such as zucchini cheese boats, bison-zucchini burgers, three unusual bread recipes, a gratin with zucchini, tomatoes and eggplant, and bread and butter pickles:

Article: zucchini, zucchini everywhere! — fresh talk

Last but not least, if you run through all the preserving techniques and recipes above and still have too much zucchini, here are some last resort ideas: 

Top 10 Things to Do with Too Much Zucchini

 

The 2013 garden, newly planted.

(Photos: Merlot)