If you grow a garden, you know how quickly zucchini season can go from “I can’t wait for the first one!” to “Why do I suddenly have 15 zucchini on my counter?”
While grilled zucchini is one of our favorite summer side dishes, I’ve learned that freezing it is one of the easiest ways to enjoy that summer harvest all year long.
Our Favorite Summer Side: Grilled Zucchini
During zucchini season, we grill it constantly. Simply slice the zucchini into long strips or thick rounds, drizzle with olive oil, and season with your favorite blend. We usually keep it simple with:
- Olive oil
- Garlic powder
- Salt
- Pepper
- Italian seasoning
- Parmesan cheese (optional after grilling)
Grill over medium heat for just a few minutes per side until it’s tender with light grill marks. It pairs perfectly with burgers, grilled chicken, steak, or pork chops.
Freeze It for an Easy Weeknight Side
When we have more zucchini than we can eat, I don’t let it go to waste.
Instead, I wash it, cut it into bite-sized cubes, and freeze it in freezer bags. There’s no need to blanch it first if you’re planning to roast it later.
Then, on busy nights, I simply pour the frozen zucchini directly onto a baking sheet. I drizzle it with olive oil, sprinkle on salt, pepper, garlic powder, and any other seasonings I’m craving, then roast it in the oven until it’s tender and lightly browned.
It’s one of the easiest vegetable sides to pull together, and having it already prepped in the freezer means dinner comes together even faster.
My preferred way to freeze it, with a vacuum sealer to ensure limited air in the bags and best utilizing space in my freezer! My personal favorite vacuum sealer
Why I Love Freezing Zucchini
- It helps reduce food waste during peak garden season.
- The prep work is already done.
- It’s an easy vegetable to add to almost any meal.
- You get a taste of summer even in the middle of winter.
If your garden is overflowing this year, don’t feel like you have to eat zucchini every day just to keep up. Grill what you can enjoy now, freeze the rest, and your future self will thank you on those busy weeknights when you need a quick, healthy side dish.
Be sure to check out the other ways to use items in the garden! The Ultimate Guide to Freezer Meal Prep for Busy Moms
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