Updated: Aug. 01, 2023
When it comes to vegetables, almost nothing is more versatile than zucchini—you can use ’em in salads, on skewers, in pasta and of course, as zucchini noodles (aka zoodles). This super-useful squash is almost always around in my house—which means it’s important to know how to store zucchini so it doesn’t spoil!
While zucchini is pretty hardy, it still needs to be stored properly to keep it fresh and crisp. You can get plenty of use out of it if you know how to store it in the fridge and the freezer!
How to Store Zucchini in the Fridge
Zucchini thrives in a dry environment, so pop it into the crisper drawer whole, preferably in a plastic or paper bag with one end open for ventilation. The minimal humidity will keep it from going bad. Stored properly, it’ll last one or two weeks, though you’ll probably see the skin shrivel as the days pass.
Remember, you need to keep things dry, so as tempting as it might be to wash your zucchini beforehand, you shouldn’t get any water near it until you’re ready to use it. Find out if you can eat zucchini raw.
How to Store Cut Zucchini
If you’ve already cut up your zucchini and have some leftover, you can still store it—though it’s best to use it all up if you can. Fresh-cut zucchini can be stored in the crisper drawer for four or five days sealed tightly in an airtight container or zip-top bag. If you’ve made zoodles, it’s best to find another use for them ASAP rather than storing them—they’ll get soggy and limp quickly in the fridge.
How to Store Zucchini in the Freezer
If you got a little overzealous as summer winds down and have a surplus of squash, you can easily freeze zucchini. Just make sure you do it the right way to keep it from turning into a mushy mess! Stored properly, zucchini can last up to three months in the freezer.
You can shred zucchini with a box grater, steam it, cool it and finally pack it up in heavy-duty resealable bags for the freezer. This method is ideal for recipes that require shredded zucchini, like zucchini bread.
If you’d prefer slices or zoodles, cut them up or spiralize them, then blanch them for a minute in hot water. Remove them from the water and let them dry, pop them in the freezer on a baking sheet for an hour or two, then take them out and pop them into freezer-safe bags before putting them back into the freezer. This method will keep the slices or zoodles from sticking together.
How to Defrost Zucchini
Thawing zucchini is pretty easy—simply place your freezer-safe bag in the fridge overnight. If you’re in a hurry, you can also dunk the bag in a bowl of warm water or thaw it in the microwave—just make sure you do it at half power so your zucchini doesn’t cook!
