Freezing shredded zucchini... blanch first or freeze raw?

[Perry]

I've never frozen zucchini before. I'm finding some recommendations to shred it and blanch, and some that say it's fine to freeze it raw. I plan to use it for zucchini bread and in soups or sauces. What has worked best for you?

[Tess in the Burbs]

I blanched mine on my mother's recommendation and it was perfect when we cooked it later

[Mommee & Baba]

I have froze mine raw with no issues. I freeze it raw and shredded all the time for future breads and sauces :D

[hmschooln]

I've never tried blanching it before so I can't compare the two, but I do freeze it raw all the time and haven't had any trouble.:001_smile:

[K&Rs Mom]

I have froze mine raw with no issues. I freeze it raw and shredded all the time for future breads and sauces :D

 

:iagree: I'm about to set the dc to grating tonight. If I was planning to use it alone, I might try blanching, but since it's mixed into things like bread it doesn't matter too much about the texture. I do squeeze the water out after thawing & before using it, though.

[LauraGB]

I do squeeze the water out after thawing & before using it, though.

 

Me, too. I think you are supposed to blanch it, but I never have. I shred it, lay it on paper towels until I'm ready to put in bags (I usually do a lot at once), put it in the bags in 1 or 2 cup amts, and then freeze it. When I need it, I thaw the amt that I need, squeeze as much water out as I can (kind of like frozen spinach, but more gently) and use it for the recipe.

[hmdavis02]

I shred it and freeze it raw for breads, muffins, pastas, etc. When thawing, I thaw it in cheesecloth-lined colander to drain the excess water. I don't know if this is the "right" way, but it's always worked for me!

[Mommee & Baba]

This just made me think of how much I love my Kitchen Aid grater attachment now! No more of those hand grating duties! :p

[cjzimmer1]

I've always frozen it raw too but unlike the others, I've always used any water that was in the package. I figured it was in the zucchini before I froze it so if I drained it off after, wouldn't it throw off the moisture content of the recipe? Never had anything not turn out with the extra water added in.