Â
If you’re a gardener, you have zucchini coming out of your ears right about now. You’ve made bread, and grilled it, stir-fried it, stewed it, and pickled it. And you go out to the garden every morning, and there’s more. What’s a girl to do?
How to Dehydrate Zucchini
Freezing it is a good option, but I personally like to save my freezer space for venison and the meat we purchase from local farms. So I prefer dehydrating zucchini for winter use. It’s a lot easier than freezing, too.
Zucchini is always best when harvested before seeds begin to form. Occasionally, you’ll miss one, and it will get ginormous. Those are ones to leave on your neighbors porch while they’re sleeping!
To prepare your zucchini for dehydrating, wash it, and remove any seeds that may have formed. Zucchini may be cut into slices, diced, or shredded before dehydrating. Blanching is not necessary.
Zucchini that is cut into thin slices, around 1/8″ thick, may be salted, or seasoned, dried until crisp, and used as chips for a nice treat.
Simply layer the zucchini, however you’ve cut it, into your dehydrator and dry at 125°F/52°C until completely dry. I love my 9 tray Excalibur dehydrator because with 15 square feet of space, I can pack of lot of zucchini in there and it all dries evenly and thoroughly.
Zucchini can also be dehydrated in an oven at a low temperature – preferably not above 150°F. Check every hour or so for dryness and remove from the oven when completely dry.
I prefer to dice my zucchini for dehydrating and use it during the winter months in soups, stews, and even in chili. Sliced, or grated may be used the same way.
Conditioning Dehydrated Zucchini
Next, condition your dehydrated zucchini. This is a process that ensures that the moisture in your dehydrated food has even moisture levels so that mold will not form.
To condition your dehydrated zucchini, place it in a ziplock bag or glass jar that has extra room in it. Shake the bag or jar daily and look for signs of moisture – this might be condensation, or perhaps the scapes are sticking together.
If you observe any signs of moisture, return the zucchini to your dehydrator for more drying time. After several days of no moisture you may store your dehydrated zucchini.
Storing Dehydrated Zucchini
Store your dehydrated zucchini in an airtight container such as glass, freezer bags, or vacuum-seal. When the dried zucchini is first placed in its container, keep it where you can keep an eye on it for 24 hours or so to be sure there is no condensation and it is completely dry. They store in a cool, dark place. Dehydrated zucchini is best used within a year, but under ideal conditions can keep up to five years.
Dehydrated zucchini may also be reconstituted before using by soaking it in equal parts of water for up to 2 hours depending on how large your pieces are.
What’s your favorite method of preserving zucchini for winter use?
Other Posts You’ll Love
The Shelf Life of Dehydrated Foods
Make Your Own Garlic Powder and Other Ways to Preserve Garlic
The Forager’s Guide to Harvesting and Drying Herbs and Plants
A to Z Guide to Dehydrating Vegetables
Dutch Oven Cooking: Zucchini Bread
Drying Herbs Without a Dehydrator
Thank you for visiting Learning And Yearning. May "the LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace." Num 6:24-26
Julia says
Last summer we dehydrated mcuh of our squash. Nice to just slice & dry. One of my friends ate most of it.
I also love the Excalibur dehydrator. I have bought 2 over the last 8 years & many times they are both going at the same time. I appreciate that between purchases there has been no change in the quality.
Susan Vinskofski says
Thanks for stopping by, Julia! Yes, I love the quality of my Excalibur!
Sharon says
I was wondering, can any kind of squash be dried, I grow serval different kinds, and after it is dried and soaked, can it be patted dry can it be fried. thanks
Susan Vinskofski says
Yes, Sharon, you can dehydrate any squash. You’ll have to experiment with the frying as I’ve never tried that. Let me know how it works for you, okay?
Monika says
I need advice: I love making vegan lasagna, but the zucchini “noodles” need to have as much liquid removed as possible prior to assembly. Traditionally it is sliced thin and baked in the oven for ~15 minutes to remove a bit water, but I always end up with too much liquid anyways. Of course the tomato sauce adds liquid, but I cook it down so much that its quite thick; I believe the combination of sauce and zucchini is too juicy to create a perfect veggie lasagna texture. While reading your excellent recipe I wondered if your zucchini would solve my problem. Have you ever created a baked dish with your dehydrated zucchini? Any advice you could offer would be much appreciated. Thanks!
Susan Vinskofski says
Hi Monika. Wow, that sounds like a fantastic idea! I’ve never tried it myself, but I really do think it might work. Perhaps you’d want to try drying a small batch, and then cut your recipe in half to see how it goes. I’d love to hear!
ML Wells says
Did you ever try this idea of dehydrating the zucchini for lasagna? I would like to know what kind of results you had. Thanks!
Susan Vinskofski says
This past summer, I did actually dehydrate some zucchini for lasagna, but I had forgotten about it until just last week. So, I still haven’t made the lasagna to see how it turns out. I’ll try to do that in the next week or so and let you know how it turns out!
mary buller says
I’ve never thought of dehydrating zucchini but should I want to use it in lasagna I think I would assemble it and leave in the fridge overnightbefore cooking as in using “ready for the oven” lasagna noodles.
Susan Vinskofski says
I did make the lasagna with the “noodles” I had dehydrated. I soaked them for an hour or so before proceeding, but they were still a bit chewy. A longer soak was needed.
Amanda says
How do you store your zucchini after drying it?
Susan Vinskofski says
Hi Amanda, I store my zucchini in a glass jar with a lid. A zip-lock bag would work as well.
Drew says
If you are prone to get this stupid melee mods that get into flour I would not use plastic bags for the hydrated vegetables as they will get in there too! Couple years ago I had to throw out many dollars worth of dehydrated beans zucchini and onions
Susan Vinskofski says
What do you use to store, Drew?
Suzie says
Can you dehydrate shredded zucchini for zucchini bread?
Robin says
Do you dehydrate yellow summer squash as well?
Susan Vinskofski says
I rarely grow it because I like zucchini so much more, but yes, it definitely can be dehydrated just like zucchini.
Illumina SD says
Good web site! I truly love how it is simple on my eyes and the data are well written. I’m wondering
how I could be notified when a new post has been made. I have subscribed to your RSS which must do the trick!
Have a nice day!
Kathy Buchanan uchanan says
Just wondering if anyone had considered dehydrating shredded zucchini flowers for later use in zucchini risotto. I have used fresh before.
Just started drying some today
Susan Vinskofski says
Great idea, Kathy!
Maia says
You can also dehydrate then powder to use as a thickener for stews and gravy. No need for flour and you get an extra helping of veggies. Win win!
Susan Vinskofski says
What a great idea, Maia!!!
Kelly says
Fantastic idea, I’m definitely trying that
Kelly says
How do you turn your zucchini into powder?
Heather says
It probably goes without saying that I could also dehydrate zucchini noodles (zoodles) and then reconstitute them for use in place of pasta. Just wondering if anyone has had success doing this. I guess I’d probably use the same technique? Soak in water for a bit? I’ll give it a try this fall, but in the meantime if anyone has experience with this, any pointers would be welcome!
Susan Vinskofski says
Hi Heather, I have never dehydrated zoodles, but have dried zucchini “lasagna” noodles. I soaked them for an hour before putting the lasagna together and it was still a bit chewy. So, I would recommend a longer soak.
Eileen McLoughlin says
That is nice to dehydrate. However, not all of us are rich enough to own a dehydrator. I know that you can use your oven at between 150 to 200 degrees. But, for how long?
I also know that you can solar dry them. But, it has been raining for a few days and I want to use fresh zucchini.
Gert says
Good will, second hand stores have dehydrators for very little money
Susan Vinskofski says
The time required to dehydrate zucchini, depends on the size and thickness that you cut your zucchini, and the temperature that you use. That’s why, even for the dehydrator, I say until the zucchini is dry. I apologize that that seems so vague.
Daniele says
You are not rich enough to buy a dehydrator but do you know how much electricity you are going to pay for a single batch drying for 12_24 hours,?
Susan Vinskofski says
It is my understanding that most large dehydrators use about one kWh per hour or less.
Judi Brinks says
I’d like more information about how to store dehydrated zucchini. I read they can be stored in jars but what preparation of the jars/lids would be helpful. Also, how long will dehydrated food keep?
Susan Vinskofski says
Hi Judi, be sure that your jars and lids are clean and dry; if the zucchini has been properly dried it will last up to 5 years. Keep in a cool, dark place.
Sherry says
I have been dehydrating for years, but it wasn’t until I read about conditioning that my precious goods went to the next level. I use canning jars to store all my dryed fruits and veggies. Conditioning is the act of shaking up the contents to keep them from sticking together and redistributing any possible moisture. This really helps to maintain quality.
Susan Vinskofski says
Yes! Conditioning is an important step!