My zucchini plants suffered a set back due to chicken attack back at the beginning of spring and I haven't harvest any of my own yet, but a friend was struggling with zucchini overload and gave me several kgs. I have been wanting to try drying zucchinis, so this was the perfect opportunity. The last time I had a glut of my own zucchinis I resorted to making zucchini soup! It was awful! I though dried zucchini might be more useful.
I sliced the zucchinis using the slicer on my grater, which was very quick and produced a nice thin slice. Then I laid them out on the dehydrator trays, about 1 zucchini to a tray. I ran the drier on and off for several days until the zucchinis were dry enough. I then sealed the chips in vacuum bags, so that they will last longer. I hope to be able to get these out occasionally in winter when we miss zucchini, so they can be added to soups and stews.
I sliced the zucchinis using the slicer on my grater, which was very quick and produced a nice thin slice. Then I laid them out on the dehydrator trays, about 1 zucchini to a tray. I ran the drier on and off for several days until the zucchinis were dry enough. I then sealed the chips in vacuum bags, so that they will last longer. I hope to be able to get these out occasionally in winter when we miss zucchini, so they can be added to soups and stews.
How do you deal with a zucchini glut? Have you dried anything interesting recently?
How disappointing for you, I adore zucchini soup but I don't have the freezer room. I am drying mine into chips too but I blanch them briefly before putting into the dehydrator, don't know why, just because the instructions said to. ?? I use the chips in casseroles and slow cooks over the winter. It certainly saves a lot of food storage space when they are dehydrated.
ReplyDeleteOh that looks like a great idea. I have always wondered how best to keep dehydrated items, and a vacuum sealer looks like the answer.
ReplyDeleteHave you heard of mock apple pie made with zucchini? I have made it and it is awesome! You can't tell the difference!
ReplyDeleteAlso there is a way to use zucchini to make a mock pineapple candy. You boil the zucchini in pineapple juice, then dry it with the dehydrator. Then dust with powdered sugar. It is awesome! You can google these recipes.
This is the first time I've visited your blog - this post caught my eye because I too have a zucchini glut. I'm contemplating "dealing with" the zucchinis tonight - slicing them, and blanching before the go into the freezer. Apart from that.. we are eating a lot of zucchini!
ReplyDeleteI don't have too many this year, but last year I did. I marinated them in oil - salt them first to get rid of a lot of the liquid in them and then into herbed oil. It was out of my Italian preserving book, but you'd be able to find something on the web. I have dried beans before, and they are great to be able to add to stews and soups in winter.
ReplyDeleteI found this recipe via another blogger recently...thanks to a good season we are currently experiencing a severe glut of zucchini and this recipe is a godsend! Give it a go if you can get some more zucchini or visit Tasmania where they give you an enormous bagful as a going away gift ;)...
ReplyDeletehttp://www.food.com/recipe/zucchini-cream-130433
A friend of mine makes an AMAZING corgette (zucchini) and feta soup. You should try it out next time :)
ReplyDeletehttp://www.exmi.co.za/2012/02/courgette-and-feta-soup/
Tara
When we get lots of zucchini we make zucchini slice, which freezes well. I also use it as a sauce for pasta. Fry it up in a bit of oil with some garlic and have it with spaghetti. Add some cream if you have any. I made crumbed zucchini chips once which I liked but hubby wasn't a fan (I don't think they were greasy enough for him)
ReplyDeleteHi, there are lots of zuchini / corgette in a number of greek recipes. Zuchini fritters being one of my favorites. Not sure about freezing them but it might be worth a try.
ReplyDeleteMy 14 month old daughter just looooves zucchini any way it comes...dried slices are an awesome way to keep her occupied in the car :-)
ReplyDeleteyum! lots of zucchini ideas, thanks everyone.... now I just need more zucchinis!
ReplyDelete