Food Storage: How to Preserve Zucchini for Long Term Storage by Dehydrating or Freeze Drying

Zucchini is prolific for a few months out of the year and if you don't take advantage of the abundance you are going to be paying a high price at the grocery store. In this video, we will show you two of our favorite ways to preserve zucchini and make it shelf-stable for 10 to 25 years.
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[@TheProvidentPrepper]

**BlueAlpine freeze dryers. bluealpinefreezedryers.com/providentprepper Use the promo code ProvidentPrepper to get 5% off. **Harvest Right affiliates.harvestright.com/901.html. We earn a small affiliate fee that helps to support our channel with every sale. **The Complete Dehydrator Cookbook amzn.to/3jQA6Pp **London Sunshine Dehydrator bit.ly/46x6PQu and use the promo code PREPPER25 to receive 10 percent off your order.

[@kurtmunson5539]

I also like to barbecue before I dehydrate. Adds a nice smokey flavor. Thanks for sharing your knowledge. The greatest gift you can give us.

[@WinsomeWinslet]

Great comprehensive video! Another way is to thinly slice and salt the zucchini and dehydrate into "chips".

[@bobneutron467]

Here in France I cook a lot of ratatouille during summer. It's a good way to use tomatoes, zucchinis, peppers, aubergines, onions and garlic from the garden. Then I froze or sterilize it. It's not long time storage. But very good to eat during winter.

[@KellyS_77]

Aubergine = Eggplant (for the Americans). :D

[@DawnaRo]

@@KellyS_77 I was wondering what Aubergine was. Thanks for the clarification.. I wonder how this would freeze dry?

[@KellyS_77]

I know this is a totally random comment, but I love your shirt! We like those big monster zucchini stuffed with meat and rice (or vegetarian). We like the smaller ones as a side dish sautéed with butter, garlic and salt and pepper, we love zucchini patties breaded and shallow fried like you would do for eggplant parmesan (but it’s zucchini). We also like them stir-fried with mushrooms and onions.

[@easttennesseeexpat7545]

I did not expect to be interested in this topic but you have surprised me again. This is a very informative video. Thank you.

[@jadestar1580]

Thank you for the video. Lots of good information! I bet that recipe would be good with potatoes!

[@marypeterson3512]

Thanks!

[@vmon7763]

Thank you so much for your references between ea process. My question is, how long did each technique take?

[@kb6lcw99]

God Bless!

[@GreatBoneStructure]

Visitors to my town are warned to lock their cars in summertime, or they will find them full of zucchinni.

[@KellyS_77]

ooh I need to visit your town! lol

[@williambixby3785]

My man looked kinda lost until it was time for the taste test 😂

[@thesuspense...2939]

I make huge batches of zucchini tempura. After we eat what we want and the rest is cooled off and drained, I put the leftovers in old lunchmeat containers, and it goes in the freezer. When we want more I just take some out and air fry it.

[@tizmehere492]

I used to blanch but not for a long time. I was thinking of getting a dehydrator, but now thinking more along the lines of a freeze dryer. Still thinking thinking thinking…

[@DawnaRo]

I also make and freeze dry Zoodles. Great in place of pasta if you are gluten intolerant. I'm not, I just like it better than pasta.

[@miss.b5851]

Hello from Texas , my question is how to keep it dry after opening and don’t have used all the jar

[@justbychance7012]

Zucchini chips made in FD with seasoning on them.

[@TheProvidentPrepper]

Awesome! Did you blanch the zucchini first or freeze dry it raw?

[@cindyjean3208]

I’ve been watching videos on food preparation (zucchini) This was , in my opinion, the very best! You answered my questions, plus some… God bless you… and your channel 🙏🏻😇😊

[@DawnaRo]

I LIVE for summer zucchini! My favorite thing is sliced thin zucchini, dipped in egg and milk mixture, dredged in flour and fried till crisp. I put them on bread with mayo and sliced tomato for a delicious sandwich. It's better than it sounds. And even better with a little Chick fil-a sauce.

[@erinheuton8024]

I like to slice them then dehydrate. I add them to my lasagna! :)

[@ariels6284]

Lasagna noodles! What a great idea 💡

[@JDHood]

One good thing about fritters, is that they freeze well (wax paper separators in a zip-lock bag). When you get ready to eat some, allow the frozen fritters to completely thaw (I move a package to the fridge the day before), then re-heat on a wire rack in a 350 deg oven until hot (a toaster oven works well too). They come out very close to "fresh out of the pan". Kids seem to like fritters with ketchup, I like them with spaghetti sauce over pasta similar to eggplant parmesan, or with chicken gravy when we have chicken-fried anything, or a "fritter-burger" stacked just like a regular hamburger. Basically, I grow summer squash and zukes for my love of fried fritters.

[@clw.7146]

Are they fried already or just ready to fry? I like your idea & I have some zucchini I need to preserve. I have zucchini slices freeze dried & shredded zucchini dehydrated already. So the fritters sound great. TY for sharing. .

[@JDHood]

@@clw.7146 Yes, fully cooked and ready to eat when you bag them up for freezing.

[@clw.7146]

@@JDHood TY. I think I'll make some fritters today.

[@susiea1419]

Me too!

[@sam78ize]

like your test subject. he seemed worried for a moment. :) thanks for the info

[@AnnBearForFreedom]

I was blessed enough to be able to jar up 10 and 3/4 pints of raw honey this evening. Shared 7 or so with neighbors and church friends; stored the rest in the pantry but kept that leftover 3/4 pint for immediate table use. (Since I'm diabetic, 3/4 of a pint will last forEVER). Felt good to get ahead on sweetener but also felt reeeeally good to extend an offer of dialogue with neighbors and friends.

[@margarettickle9659]

I have 3 zucchini plants and 3 yellow squash. I did not get even one on any plant. I'm mortified. What happened? I looked it up and I might have picked all male plants. Also, it seems there were no bees or butterflies in my little garden.

[@armidaborunda2622]

I was drying my zucchini and it was dry when it started to rain and the humidity softened my zucchini. What other method can I do to dry again . I dry mine naturally outside in sun. It’s still raining.

[@XWxxxxx]

If you like apple pie, try this: With all the sugar and spice, you really can’t taste the apple in apple pie but it do provide the texture we like. And so, does zucchini. Use any pipe recipe and substitute zucchini. Use fully mature, firm, zucchini; remove the seeds and rind, cut into small pieces (the same size as you would pieces of apple).

[@henningbartels6245]

From very large zucchinis I make zucchini soup (with garlic, green herbs, cream) and the finshed Soup is also easy to freeze and reheat.

[@judyluchies2492]

Thank you 😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫🤣🤣🤣♥️♥️♥️🙏🏻

[@terrylunsford1595]

Can you share the fritter recipe

[@susangilbert1392]

Thank you for the video. I learned a lot. You mentioned home-grown garlic. I have NEVER been able to grow garlic bulbs. Do you have any videos that tell how to do it?

[@kerissavillegas3047]

I like to shared it and fry it then add it to scrambled eggs

[@karenlawson4888]

What a great idea for using powdered as a flour. Would you share some recipes or ratio to wheat flour? I, too, used to use the giant bats that had to be peeled then grated and used it (usually after freezing) in soups, stews, sauces and gravies. It was undetectable when my kids were going thru picky eater phases. Now I don’t worry about sneaking bits of green into meals. I don’t salt my shreds. I squeeze the extra water out of the grated z into my freezer container of my “everything but the kitchen sink soup”! Surely that liquid has some of the nutrition, too! The peels, too! They go into my freezer ziplock bag of veggie parings I used for stock.

[@sandradanforth8524]

Thanks for sharing the information. I'm torn between frezzed dry and dehydration. I have to do more research for my situation. 😊😊😊😊

[@permacultureresearchinstit2953]

You complttetely skipped actually processing the zucchini into strips....What did you use? What do you do if the zucchini is too big and over grown? Any thoughts?

[@melanied.8889]

❤❤❤

[@SprtulLuv]

I tried a recipe I made up. Shredded zucchini with fresh onions, fry them with a good oil, add scrambled eggs over the top and cook. My husband lives it. We also added cheese and fried some cheriso in it too.

[@brightstarr57]

Super interesting video! Now I know what to do with overgrown zucchini! Thanks!

[@Brad-99]

I peeled a zucchini and cut into pineapple chunks than cook add pineapple juice and sugar . Water Bathed them . Looks like pineapple tastes like pineapple 🍍 😁

[@wanderingranger4208]

Great tips 👍🏻my wife asked if you have tips for marrows too as we have one the size of Lake Michigan lol.

[@wanderingranger4208]

@@TheProvidentPrepper I might be exaggerating the size but it’s a good size, this is our first time growing one and we haven’t tried one either so I’ll let you know ones we’ve tried cooking it.

[@Catsrule7]

Marrow and ginger marmalade- various recipes on the internet, but I always find a couple of Lake Michigan’s, and look forward to make the preserve from them.

[@janetyih]

Fantastic, most thorough information with explanation.

[@trethehunter]

A lil ketchup fixes everything 😁 besides botcoilism

[@MM-oc3sb]

Looking forward to our first FD zucchini batch - thank you for the comparison! I learned a similar recipe without the parmesan that was called, "zucchini egg Foo Yung that adds some sprouts. Lol I don't like the taste of sprouts so always left them out but often added onion - it wasn't until recently that I learned my version was "fritters". Going extra light on the flour they are nicely low carb for diabetic family member. 👍

[@karenlawson4888]

I bet using powdered freeze dried zuchinni as part of that flour could be helpful for keto & diabetics?

[@MM-oc3sb]

@@karenlawson4888 that is a good idea to try 👍

[@cindyhoupthealthymovement8483]

I am new to freeze drying this year and loving it. Question: My process has been to use mylar bags with O2 absorbers and heat sealer for "Longer term," storage. I like to keep a variety of vegetables in vacuum sealed (with brake bleeder) canning jars to "dip into" for current meal prep. After taking out what I need (from my shorter term canning jars containers), I re-vacuum seal the jar of what is left with my brake bleeder for the next time. I do not use an O2 absorber with my re-vacuum sealing since I am using up that food much quicker than my long term mylar stash. Does that process sound ok?

[@marilynweber7957]

where can i get an attachment for my bosch mixer like that??

[@marilynweber7957]

does it not cover up and make the zipper useless???

[@karinhart489]

How did you know I was wondering how to put zucchini (or similar veggies) into my long term storage? This past year I have been replacing potatoes & rice & pasta starches with fresh zucchini noodles (long story why). My friend acquired a dehydrator to process their garden harvest, and has invited me over to see what she’s doing.

[@ShadowScoutSwede]

Great video and i have never tried to preserve zucchini so i can´t say that i have any experience to do that. And thanks for the tips much appreciated.

[@robertkeller5930]

I store it like winter squash and it lasted a year.

[@paintingtracey]

You always have the best information, presented so orderly. Can you use a moisture absorber with vacuum sealing? I find that if I leave my zucchini after the dehydration even for like 20 minutes it starts to absorb moisture from the air and loose its snap. Is that normal? Does it need to cool completely before placing it in the conditioning container? It seems like that period is the most vulnerable.

[@paintingtracey]

@@TheProvidentPrepper awesome, thanks. Yes, I do condition. I have found, in last couple days, if I go for 14 hours at 125 that seems to work well. I add a moisture absorber after the conditioning process when I'm ready for long term storage.

[@cherylwin9364]

THANK YOU, GREAT INFORMATION 😊

[@TheProvidentPrepper]

Thanks for watching!

[@citygirlhomestead]

wow very helpful how long do you think the dehydrated last? I don't have a fd. I got a bunch to do up and don't want to waste them. You guys are the best. Also didn't know about the lid sealing with a o2 absorber in it great information thank you

[@citygirlhomestead]

@@TheProvidentPrepper wow even with slices I like that

[@maryisabell8760]

I use brown lunch bags to place my filled canning jar’s into , protecting it from light . Write what the contents is and date it on the outside of the lunch bag - tape down the top of lunch bag , with a little scotch tape .

[@XxBloggs]

Prepping for what?

[@marygallagher3428]

Great demonstrations, thanks :-)

[@ragnarmjolnir9654]

🥓🍳🥛and a Prov Prep vid. Good way to start the day 👍😊

[@jerriscollins-ruth9019]

Great demonstration and great ideas. Thank you.

[@DonnaK]

Very informative!

[@TheGbortnick]

if you make bread using powdered zucchini and flour, what is your ratio

[@mignonowens2350]

I use a wonderful zucchini relish recipe. I also use the last of the zucchini and kale chow chow with green tomatoes and whatever is left in the late summer garden.

[@armidaborunda2622]

I was drying my zucchini and it was dry when it started to rain and the humidity softened my zucchini. What other method can I do to dry again . I dry mine naturally outside in sun. It’s still raining.

[@joespeciale3986]

Could you use the zucchini flour in the mixture and if so would it be different from the regular flour? I’m not able to eat wheat.

[@dbrant8903]

What brand and size oxygen absorbers would you get for 1 qt or pint jars

[@citygirlhomestead]

will it work for slices as well sorry forgot to ask

[@miss.b5851]

Hi …wonder if you Can reuse the bags …thank you

[@Nanoparticle7]

To preserve the zucchini you will need to hide the zucchini in a dark place.

[@wholelatafamily2989]

Do you recommend any apps to track your stockpile?

[@erickdurnell6178]

This is Erick’s wife, couldn’t you make pasta with zucchini flour? Could I do that with regularly dehydrated, not freeze dried zucchini? Also I added rosemary to my fritters and my family said they tasted like pizza served with pizza sauce!

[@erickdurnell6178]

now I want to try it to see what happens! 😁

[@kimc.556]

Just fyi way to use up a lot is Zucchini Jam using Jello, tastes great and you can use your favorite flavor for the jam. Thanks for the great video!

[@karenwilmoth5179]

Zucchini jam sounds good what is the recipe for making

[@cabinfevernanna5897]

I JUST finished dehydrating yellow zucchini chips (seasoned).

[@cabinfevernanna5897]

@@TheProvidentPrepper I used Redmonds organic season salt.

[@OhavYisrail]

Being from the south you just go to walmart/school/social outings and find someone who left their windows down. 😂 What I like to do with zucchini when it's overgrown is make veggie steaks. Slice about an inch thick and marinade overnight. Then throw on the grill and good eating. I used to make mock pineapple with it (but honestly these days it's cheaper to just buy flats of canned pineapple when it goes on sale around Thanksgiving). I do still make squash pickles.

[@susangilbert1392]

I live in the south. I will remember to leave my windows down at Walmart! My zucchini died and I am hurting for zucchini!

[@OhavYisrail]

@@TheProvidentPrepper vinegar,oil, some spices (what depending entirely on my mood), sometimes a dash of a1, or soy, or teriyaki. Just remember zucchini is a flavor sponge so don't get too heavy handed with the spices. Makes a great side and my vegan cousins use them as a main.

[@livingthefruitfullife654]

Do you still add a moisture absorber pouch into your dehydrated-crunchy zucchini shreds?

[@TheProvidentPrepper]

We do not use desiccant only an oxygen absorber.

[@joeljones6728]

awesome info!! keep up the great info..

[@faith4390]

I know I have lots of questions:) Please don't get irritated. I dried shredded potatoes and they are completely dry but when I put them in the Wallaby mylar bags, the potatoes were poking through the bags. So, I've wasted a bag;) Do you have a suggestion? The jars are hard to find and expensive. Thank you for your VERY informative videos.

[@faith4390]

@@TheProvidentPrepper I have not thought of that. I will try it though. Thank you and Yahweh bless you and your family and keep you at peace in every aspect of life:)

[@marilynweber7957]

We have taken paper plates and put the sharp pokey foods inbetween the plates and then vacuum sealed - another more expensive way is to use a foodsaver bag and then the mylar or a ziplock and then mylar - since both are air permeable - yes the foodsaver is too after a time . . .

[@kathydriver4047]

i like to dehydrate

[@allioakley3372]

🤗💞

[@leannleas855]

I just discovered marinated zucchini

[@leannleas855]

I'm sorry, I don't know how to do this, I thought I did. Lol. But if you go to Iowa girl eat and do a search for refrigerated zucchini pickles it will come up. They're delish!

[@tonijurkones9797]

Hello 👋

[@OvcharkaShepherd]

Similar recipe I add some kernel corn