Preserving Zucchini & Summer Squash

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Whew! This morning, there were masses of zucchini in the room formerly known as my kitchen. I've just waded my way through the masses and am now zucchini-free! (That is, until later today when I come home from the farm with more...)

How did I get through the piles?

Yes, I did sell some at farmer's market yesterday. Yes, I did pass some off on unsuspecting friends, relatives, and neighbors. (Leave your car doors locked during church or else I will leave a bag of zucchini, or so the jokes go).

But most of it I put up for winter. Did you know you can preserve zucchini? I freeze mine, but I do have a friend who cans it as well.

It's so easy to freeze, especially if you have a food processor. You can whip through pounds of it in less than an hour!

Zucchini &all other summer squashes can be frozen in slices or shreds. The frozen slices can be used all winter in stir fry, casseroles, and my favorite -in soups such as minestrone and Italian Sausage Soup. The shredded zucchini is traditionally used in baked goods such as zucchini bread, muffins, or in the great Zucchini Pizza Crust.

Just shred or chop, using a food processor if you have it, or a knife / cheese grater if you don't. Toss into freezer bags, label, put in freezer and use all winter.

Enjoy!








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Preserving fresh herbs for fresh winter use

I first learned this method last summer and we were able to use fresh cilantro and basil all winter! Some herbs are best used fresh, such as cilantro. When dried, it loses all it's flavor. Of course, fresh basil can be used to make pesto all winter! I'm thinking you could do most any fresh herb this way. Perhaps I'll also try chives this season to use in potato dishes all winter.

The herbs will be soggy, so they'll have to be used in a processed dish (such as salsa or pesto) rather than as a garnish or something that requires them to be fresh and perky.

To preserve them for winter, simply freeze them in ice cube trays then when frozen you'll remove the cubes and put them all in a freezer bag.

Here are some pictures of my recent cilantro harvest (they seeded all over my garden from last year's composted seeded plants).

First, harvest and wash.


Then remove the leaves and stuff them into the ice cube trays.


Last, fill the tray with water and place in the freezer. When they're frozen, pop the cubes out of the tray and into a large freezer bag. In the winter, take some out and let them thaw in a bowl of hot water. Then use as you would when fresh.



Now, later in the summer I will use this frozen cilantro to make and can Salsa Verde!




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