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.
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.
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!
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?”
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!
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.
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!
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.
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!
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!
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.
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.
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!
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!
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.
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.
Amanda Rettke is the creator of I Am Baker, and the bestselling author of Surprise Inside Cakes: Amazing Cakes for Every Occasion – With a Little Something Extra Inside.Over the course of her 15+ year blogging adventure, she has been featured in and collaborated with the Food Network, New York Times, LA Times, Country Living Magazine, People Magazine, Epicurious, Brides, Romantic Homes, life:beautiful, Publishers Weekly, The Daily Mail, Star Tribune, The Globe and Mail, DailyCandy, YumSugar, The Knot, The Kitchn, and Parade, to name a few.
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 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!
I have great zucchini custard pie recipe if interested in could send to you, only need blender to make no mess