Many people don’t know how to store zucchini, which means that their delicious and nutritious vegetable purchase may go bad before they can enjoy it. Produce waste is extremely common around the world, so knowing the proper way to store zucchini, as well as for how long it can be stored, is extremely important.
How to Store Zucchini?
There are a number of ways to store zucchini so that it stays fresh and edible for as long as possible, including the use of a plastic bag or refrigeration, among others. Due to zucchini’s high moisture content, rot or mold is a major threat to its freshness, making its proper storage essential. [1]
Plastic Bag
Perhaps most importantly in the storage process, you should always keep your zucchini (uncut) in a plastic bag with aerated holes. This will give it a small amount of oxygen, but will significantly slow down the oxidation process. You also want to avoid cutting or washing the zucchini until you are ready to use some or all of it. The skin will protect the flesh inside from breaking down. If you cut the zucchini, however, and don’t use all of it, the best thing to do is to wrap its one end in cling film or put the half-zucchini in a plastic bag to prevent the exposed flesh from becoming mushy and oxidized. [2]
Zucchini contains zero fat, and is high in water and fibre. Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Refrigerator
While keeping your unwashed and unsliced zucchini in the fridge, be sure to keep it in the vegetable crisper in the plastic bag. Leaving one end of the bag open to the air will also help keep the vegetable fresh. [3]
Freezer
A freezer is a great option for zucchini if you aren’t planning on using it for some time, or if you buy an excessive amount of zucchini at the end of summer, hoping to make it last for the whole winter. Before putting the zucchini in the freezer, you should slice the vegetable and dry the individual pieces before putting them in a plastic bag. When you are ready to use the zucchinis, allow them to defrost for 8-10 hours, or simply cook them from their frozen form. [4]
How Long Can You Store Zucchini?
Knowing the right way to store zucchini is important, but understanding how long you can store it is also critical if you want to make the most of your vegetable purchase.
Open Air
Do not store you are keeping your zucchini in the open air, as it will begin to wither and shrivel within 2-3 days, and will quickly be inedible.
Refrigerator
When you store your zucchini in the fridge, make sure to keep it in the crisper. It should be good for 1-2 weeks, even though the skin may begin to wrinkle slightly.
Freezer
Freezing zucchini is a great option for people with a large zucchini harvest from their garden. If sliced, dried and stored properly in a bag, frozen zucchini can be stored for months before it begins to lose its flavor and nutrient content. [5]
