This is the time of year when folks have abundant amounts of zucchini and summer squash. It’s ‘use it or lose it’, and I will share with you the BEST ways to use it! From sweet to savory and everything in between!
What is Zucchini?
Zucchini is a straight (mostly) shaped green vegetable that is mild tasting and full of moisture. Zucchini can be grilled, baked, eaten raw, cooked, you name it. It adapts beautifully in so many recipes and is an easy (VERY easy) vegetable to grow! Speaking of growing it, it grows in abundance, which is why there are so many zucchini recipes out there. Most folks are looking for ways to use it up before it goes bad. I may be biased, but the recipes below happen to be some of the best ways to use up this amazing vegetable!
Can You Freeze Zucchini?
Sure! By far my favorite way to freeze zucchini is to grate it. If you are grating a lot of it, using a food processor can help. If just a few, just use a grater. I use both the large size and the smaller size for grating, but if you are using the larger size you may want to peel the zucchini first. If your zucchini is particularily big, you will want to remove the seeds before grating.
Once it is grated, set aside 2 cup portions and put them into freezer-safe plastic storage bags. Be sure to label it with the date! This grated zucchini works beautifully in all of the baked desserts you will see below.
Let’s jump in!
Sweet Zucchini Recipes
No one will know that these delicious treats were made with zucchini! But, the versatile vegetable offers a delicious twist on classic desserts! Here are some of my tried and true favorites!
1
Zucchini Cake
This cinnamon zucchini cake with cream cheese frosting tastes like a tender spice cake. It has plenty of zucchini to keep the cake moist and cinnamon for flavor! It’s topped with a thick cream cheese frosting.
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2
Chocolate Zucchini Cake
Amazingly rich and decadent, this Chocolate Zucchini Cake is what all chocolate cakes should strive to be.
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3
Zucchini Double Chocolate Cake
This is the best Chocolate Zucchini Cake, ever. Totally moist, full of amazing flavor, and destined to be your go-to recipe!
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4
Peanut Butter Zucchini Cake
Peanut Butter Zucchini Cake is a moist and dense cake full of peanut butter flavor with even more peanut butter drizzled on top.
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5
Lemon Blueberry Zucchini Cake
This Lemon Blueberry Cake with loads of gorgeous Zucchini is going to be your new favorite dessert!!
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6
Zucchini Banana Layer Cake with Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting
There is something utterly refreshing about walking out to the garden and choosing a vegetable that I can turn into a cake. So often when I think about cake and baking I think sugar, sweet, over-the-top decadence.
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7
Chocolate Zucchini Cupcakes
Um, have you noticed? I am putting zucchini in everything. I can’t say I am sorry though, because everything I am making is so darn delicious!! Especially these Chocolate Zucchini Cupcakes!
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8
Blueberry Zucchini Cupcakes
I shared a recipe for Blueberry Zucchini Cake and it has been popular to say the least! One question that people ask over and over is, “Can I make this into a cupcake?”
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9
Butterscotch Zucchini Bars
Ever had a blondie? This one tastes AMAZING but just happens to be loaded with zucchini!
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10
Zucchini Brownies
And finally, we have Zucchini Brownies.I think.I adapted the recipe from allrecipes.com and they definitely call these brownies.
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11
Chocolate Zucchini Cookies
Chocolate Zucchini Cookies are made with three types of chocolate, and are sure to be a chocolate lover's dream cookie!
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12
Banana Zucchini Muffins
There is something utterly refreshing about walking out to the garden and choosing a vegetable that I can turn into a muffin! These are the BEST Banana Zucchini muffins I have ever tried!
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13
The Best Zucchini Bread
The Best Zucchini Bread is a quick bread that will be quickly eaten! It is perfectly moist and delicious!
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14
Banana Zucchini Bread
Banana Zucchini Bread is a moist and delicious quick bread made with ripe bananas and shredded zucchini for a yummy snack or to enjoy with a cup of coffee.
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15
Zucchini Pull-Apart Bread
I have never created a more delicious way to use up zucchini! This decadent bread is going to become a classic in your house just like it has in mine!
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16
Apple Zucchini Bread
Apple Zucchini Bread is zucchini bread with added spiced apples and baked with a crumb topping for a quick bread that will be quickly eaten!
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Savory Zucchini Recipes
From crispy zucchini fritters to creamy zucchini soups, these savory recipes are sure to impress and make your taste buds happy!
17
Zucchini and Sweet Corn Quiche
Zucchini and Sweet Corn Quiche is both a breakfast and a savory dinner that will fuel you for the day ahead or fill you up at dinner time.
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18
French Onion Zucchini Bake
French Onion Zucchini Bake combines the amazing flavor of caramelized onions, fresh zucchini, and piles of melty gruyere cheese for a side dish that is sure to impress!
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19
Buffalo Chicken Zucchini Boats
If you are a fan of buffalo sauce then you simply must try these Buffalo Chicken Zucchini Boats. Piles of cheesy shredded buffalo chicken on top of a perfectly cooked whole zucchini and topped with green onions, tomatoes, buffalo sauce, and creamy ranch dressing.
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20
Southwest Zucchini Roll Ups
Southwest Zucchini Roll Ups are a tasty chicken enchilada without the tortilla.
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21
Cheesy Scalloped Zucchini
This Easy Cheesy Scalloped Zucchini is a delicious side dish loaded with zucchini and summer squash, all robed in a creamy cheesy sauce that will have you licking your plate clean!
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22
Cajun Shrimp and Sausage Foil Packs
Summertime is grilling time around here, and these Cajun Shrimp and Sausage Foil Packs are fun and easy to put together, and better yet, they are such an easy clean-up that you won't miss out on all the festivities!
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Zucchini Soup
Zucchini Soup is seasonal, simple, and delicious. It is light and refreshing and perfect when your garden is bursting at the seams with zucchini!
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24
Zucchini Corn Chowder
Zucchini Corn Chowder is a creamy and delicious soup filled with garden-fresh corn, zucchini, and crispy bacon. It’s a creamy and comforting soup with a delightful combination of flavors.
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Zucchini Fritters
Zucchini Fritters are an appetizer made with zucchini and corn, fried to a crispy golden brown, and dipped in a homemade seasoned sour cream. I love the taste of the sweet corn in every bite, and they would be a perfect appetizer or side dish.
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26
Ranch Zucchini Chips
Ranch Zucchini Chips is a vegetable side dish made with sliced zucchini and dry ranch seasoning that is easy to make and serve. With just a few steps, you’ll create delicious zucchini rounds with zesty ranch seasoning!
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Roasted Zucchini Spears
Roasted Zucchini Spears are quartered zucchini coated in olive oil, salt, and pepper, perfectly roasted in the oven, and broiled to a golden brown.
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28
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Cheesy Zucchini Breadsticks
Zucchini Breadsticks are a delicious alternative to traditional breadsticks, made with zucchini and topped with cheese and Italian seasoning. I already have many recipes to use up zucchini, from sweet to savory. These savory and cheesy breadsticks may be one of my favorites!
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Crispy Fried Zucchini Sticks
Zucchini Sticks are lightly breaded and fried zucchini that are perfect for dipping in marinara sauce for an appetizer or snack.
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30
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Five Cheese Zucchini Roll Ups
Five Cheese Zucchini Roll Ups are sliced zucchini wrapped around a creamy, cheesy mixture and nestled in a marinara sauce, all baked for a delicious and savory way to use your summer zucchini.
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31
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Puff Pastry Topped Zucchini Boats
Puff Pastry Topped Zucchini Boats are hollowed-out zucchini, filled and baked with marinara sauce, meatballs, and cheese. Then, baked some more and topped with a puff pastry.
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32
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Grilled Lemon Garlic Chicken Kebabs
Grilled Lemon Garlic Chicken Kebabs are layered with marinated chicken, zucchini, and cherry tomatoes, then grilled for a perfect summertime meal.
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I love zucchini but haven’t tried using it in baked goods. But looking at those brownies makes me wanna run to the store to get all the ingredients so I can make them asap! 🙂 Thanks for the inspiration!
I made the fritters and they are awesome…..Only made 1/2 the recipe and it made 10 patties….used an ice cream scoop…..yum yum!