How to Preserve Overgrown Zucchini

Grated overgrown zucchini makes terrific zucchini bread.

Zucchini squashes can quickly become overgrown in the summer garden. Ideally, the squash should be picked at around 2 inches in diameter and 6 inches long. Anything above this is considered overgrown and may lead to thick skins and bitter seeds inside. The best use of overgrown zucchini is zucchini bread and you can preserve excess overgrown squash for this purpose.

Things You'll Need

• Sharp knife
• Spoon
• Grater
• Zipper-type freezer bags

Instructions

1. Wash the overgrown zucchini in cool, running water to remove any dirt and debris from the squash.

2. Cut off 1-inch from both the stem and the blossom end of the squash.

3. Cut the squash in half, lengthwise, to reveal the seeds inside.

4. Scoop out the seeds from the center of the squash using a spoon.

5. Grate the zucchini into thin strips using a cheese grater, mandolin or food processor.

6. Fill zipper-type freezer bags with the grated zucchini in one-cup portions.

7. Seal the bags and freeze the zucchini until needed for making bread.

Tips & Warnings

• The choice of peeling oversized zucchini is a personal one. Many nutrients of the vegetable are found in the peel.

• Shredded zucchini can also be used in soups and stews.

• Extremely oversize, 12 inches or larger, zucchini should be tossed in the compost heap.

References

• University of Illinois Extension: Summer Squash
• University of California Cooperative Extension: Summer Squash
• "Stocking Up III: The All-New Edition of America's Classic Preserving Guide"; Carol Hupping; 1986