If you want to keep a stash of courgettes for later in the year, you can freeze them. Cut the courgettes to your desired size, blanch them and then freeze free-flow on a tray until they are frozen. Once frozen, portion into ziplock bags.
Can you freeze courgette raw?
Like most vegetables, if frozen raw, the texture and taste of courgettes will deteriorate into a mushy, grey and unpleasant shadow of its former self, with the goodness leeching away. Make sure you blanch or cook it first to preserve the colour, flavour and nutrients.
What can I do with too many courgettes?
Cook Your Courgettes
For example, you could make courgetti ‘spaghetti’ to use in place of pasta for a healthy meal. You could make some courgette curry, some fritters, or some savoury courgette muffins. If you are inventive in the ways you cook and use courgettes then you are far less likely to get bored.
How long can you keep courgettes in the freezer?
3 months
Yes, you can freeze courgettes for up to 3 months. To freeze courgettes, slice the courgettes into slices, batons or chunks and pop them onto a tray before placing the tray into the freezer. Once the courgette has frozen solid, you can portion it into bags and return it to the freezer.
How do you defrost courgettes?
To thaw, simply place in fridge overnight or soak the bag of frozen zucchini in a bowl of warm water. Or, use the microwave on half power so it thaws but doesn’t cook.
How do you freeze courgettes without blanching them?
To freeze courgettes without blanching
- Wash courgettes.
- Cut or grate to the size you want to freeze them in.
- Pat as dry as you can with a tea towel.
- Now, place your courgette on a lined baking tray in a single layer and freeze for 2-4 hours.
- Once frozen, move to an airtight container as above.
How do you preserve a glut of courgettes?
Remove the ends and cut them into rounds or cubes. Place the pieces on a tray and let the zucchini freeze for 8-10 hours. Once the courgettes are frozen, divide them into food bags, which, once filled according to the desired quantity, can be stored in the freezer without any problems.
What is the best way to store courgettes?
Store them in a plastic or paper bag with one end open to encourage air circulation, and pop them in the refrigerator crisper drawer. They’ll keep there for 1 to 2 weeks, though you’ll probably see the skin start to shrivel over time.
How do you cook courgettes without them getting soggy?
How to cook courgette. It’s best not to boil them, as they become mushy and lose their flavour. Instead lightly fry in butter or oil and a small amount of water. You can also roast them until tender and lightly golden to intensify their favour, or marinate and BBQ or griddle until charred and soft.
What do you do with courgettes at the end of the season?
At the end of the growing season, it’s best to pull zucchini plants out of the ground and toss them out. If there aren’t any signs of disease or pests, you can add old zucchini plants to your compost pile. Because zucchini plants are annuals, they die off once they are done producing fruit.
What is the best way to freeze fresh zucchini?
Blot the zucchini dry with a paper towel and place on a baking sheet and place in the freezer. Freeze the zucchini for 1-2 hours. Once they’re frozen, transfer them to a freezer safe storage bag and freeze for several months.
How do you cook frozen courgettes?
The trick is to only cook them for a few minutes. Don’t try to cook them slowly over a long period of time and a low heat. You will help them retain the right texture if you cook them for just 3-5 minutes. That is all the time you need for them to cook properly.
Can you freeze zucchini whole?
You can freeze zucchini whole, sliced, shredded and spiralized. It’s so easy! See below for details on every method of freezing zucchini. Zucchini is a very popular vegetable and a great one for gardeners to grow.
How do you freeze large courgettes?
Freeze them
Cut the courgettes to your desired size, blanch them and then freeze free-flow on a tray until they are frozen. Once frozen, portion into ziplock bags. Alternatively, grate the zucchini and freeze it in ziplock bags. It will be watery when it thaws, so just squeeze out the excess liquid before using.
Do you have to blanch zucchini before freezing?
While freezing zucchini is a great way to extend its life, it’s not as simple as just popping a few squash into your freezer. Raw zucchini gets weepy and watery after thawing. To effectively save it, you should chop and blanch it first. This helps set the texture and color and makes it last longer.
Should you drain zucchini before freezing?
Remove as much liquid as you can from the shredded zucchini before freezing. This will make it ready to use in your baked goods. Let frozen shredded zucchini thaw and remove any moisture you see before adding to a baked good recipe. Add frozen raw or blanched zucchini directly to recipes still frozen.
Does cooked zucchini freeze well?
If you are thinking of stocking them up to always have them available in the kitchen, the answer is yes, zucchini can be frozen, both raw and cooked! Storing zucchini in the freezer is a clever and very practical solution to keep them for a long time, without losing their flavors and nutrients and enjoy them later.
Are large courgettes edible?
You absolutely can. Go ahead and stew, roast, or bake them. Just stay away from salads. These giant zucchini are impressive in size, but not in flavor.
What does blanching mean cooking?
Blanching is scalding vegetables in boiling water or steam for a short time. It is typically followed by quick, thorough cooling in very cold or ice water. Blanching stops enzyme actions which otherwise cause loss of flavor, color and texture.
How do you preserve courgettes for the winter?
Preserving zucchini
- Choose young squash with tender skin.
- Wash and cut in half-inch slices.
- Water blanch for three minutes. Cool promptly, drain and package, leaving half-inch headspace.
- Seal, label and freeze.
How do you store courgettes after harvesting?
Ensure they are in good condition and store them in a cool, dry place such as a cupboard. Courgettes don’t store well, and should be kept in the fridge for a maximum of three weeks.