How to Prepare Zucchini for Bread | The Best Way

Many years ago, a neighbor of mine asked me if I had a good zucchini bread recipe. I told her that I did have a zucchini bread recipe. She repeated herself and asked again whether I had a good zucchini bread recipe. So, I agreed to try hers, and it was over-the-top good. That was the beginning of a long line of really good loaves of zucchini bread that I have made over the years.

Here is how you prepare the zucchini correctly.

All you have to do to prepare zucchini for bread is to wash the zucchini very well, remove the ends and any blemishes, and simply grate the zucchini and measure it to be sure you have the right amount for your recipe. Some people drain the grated zucchini to remove some of the liquid, but it is better to leave the liquid in to create a more moist zucchini bread.

What Is The Best Method Of Preparing Zucchini For Bread?

If you are one of those people who has never made zucchini bread, you may be wondering just how you would prepare zucchini for bread. Do you chop the zucchini, or just how do you prepare it? It is actually a very easy process.

Here are the simple steps:

1. Wash the zucchini very well to remove any sand or dirt.
2. Remove both ends of the zucchini and any blemishes or spots that may be on it.
3. Grate the zucchini with any kind of grater that you have, but a box grater is the easiest of all the types of graters to use.
4. Measure the zucchini to make sure you have enough for your recipe.

What Size Zucchini Is Better For Making Bread?

Because zucchini is much tastier when it is picked while young and tender, the small and medium zucchini are better flavor wise for making bread than larger zucchini.

But, the large zucchini is still very good for making zucchini bread, as long as the seeds are removed before grating them.

Should You Peel The Zucchini When Preparing It For Bread?

Zucchini does not have to be peeled before using it as an ingredient in zucchini bread. As a matter of fact, the majority of the nutrients in any vegetable, including zucchini, are either in the skin or directly under it. As a matter of fact, the skin of the zucchini is loaded with beneficial antioxidants. So, if the skin is removed, you are eliminating most of the healthy nutrients found in the zucchini. 

Besides, the skin of the zucchini is thin enough that there is really no reason to remove it. That is, unless you do not like to see the green specks in your zucchini bread.

Should You Remove Seeds From Zucchini When Preparing It For Bread?

It is not necessary to remove the seeds from zucchini before grating it for zucchini bread. Since it is best to use smaller zucchini in making bread, the seeds should be small and tender enough that you will not be able to distinguish them from the zucchini pulp after it has been grated.

But, if you have larger zucchini and want to use them by making zucchini bread, it is better to cut them in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds before grating them.

What Is The Best Way To Grate Zucchini For Bread?

The best way to grate zucchini for bread is by using a box grater. But, if you do not have a box grater, any type of grater will do.

However, you can also use the shredder blade on your food processor to prepare zucchini for bread. Plus, if you are making several loaves of bread or freezing shredded zucchini to use later, the food processor used with the shredder blade will save a lot of time when preparing the zucchini.

Should I Drain The Liquid From The Grated Zucchini?

Some people do drain the liquid from grated zucchini before making zucchini bread, but I prefer to include all the liquid, because by using the liquid that comes out of the zucchini, the zucchini bread is much moister. Draining the zucchini tends to make the zucchini bread dryer.

What Is The Best Way To Freeze Zucchini For Bread?

The best way to freeze zucchini to be used in making zucchini bread at a later time is to follow these steps:

1. Grate the zucchini, 
2. Measure the amount needed for a loaf of bread, 
3. Put that amount into a freezer-safe bag or box, 
4. Label the container with the contents and the date so that you can use the oldest package first, and
5. Store in the freezer.

Can You Freeze Zucchini Bread?

Zucchini bread does freeze very well and, if wrapped well, will taste just like freshly made zucchini bread when thawed.

Best Way To Wrap Zucchini Bread For Freezing?

Here are the steps to wrapping zucchini bread for freezing:

1. Let the bread cool completely before wrapping.
2. Wrap the bread in two layers of plastic wrap.
3. Wrap the bread in a layer of aluminum foil or put it into a freezer-safe container to prevent contamination by other foods in the freezer.
4. Label the package with the contents and the date.

This method works well for all kinds of quick bread.

Best Way To Thaw Frozen Zucchini Bread?

The best way to thaw frozen zucchini bread is to follow these steps:

1. Remove all the layers of wrapping.
2. Wrap the loaf in a kitchen towel.
3. Allow to thaw at room temperature for 2-3 hours or until completely thawed.

This method works well for all types of quick bread. Many people thaw quick bread in a microwave, but I prefer using this method of thawing quick bread of any kind.

What Is A Good Zucchini Bread Recipe?

Since I am sure you are now wondering about my neighbor’s good zucchini bread recipe, I’ll be glad to share it with you.

Zucchini Bread

Ingredients

• 3 eggs
• 1 cup oil
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 2 cups shredded zucchini
• 1-8.5 oz can crushed pineapple
• 3 cups flour
• 2 tsp soda
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp baking powder
• 1-¼ tsp cinnamon
• ¾ tsp nutmeg
• 1 cup chopped nuts
• 1 cup raisins

Directions

1. Mix the eggs, oil, and sugar, add vanilla, and beat until foamy.
2. With a spoon, stir in zucchini & pineapple.
3. In another bowl, combine the flour, soda, salt, baking powder, spices, raisins, and nuts.
4. Combine the dry and wet ingredients and mix with a spoon just until blended.
5. Bake in 2 loaf pans or one tube cake pan at 350℉ for an hour or until it tests done.

Pro Tip: Do not overmix the batter when combining wet and dry ingredients. Overmixing any quick breads will make them tough.

What Exactly Is Zucchini Bread?

Zucchini bread is a quick bread, and if you are unfamiliar with quick breads, they are breads that do not rely on yeast as a leavening agent. Quick breads fall into the same category as cornbread and biscuits which use baking powder and/or baking soda to make them rise.

Some of the more familiar quick breads are banana bread and pumpkin bread.

Final Bite

If you make zucchini bread but have family or friends who swear that they will not eat zucchini, my suggestion is just do not tell them that the bread you have made is zucchini bread. Once they taste it, they are gonna love it! Sometimes the cook in the family has to resort to trickery.

Thanks for stoppin’ by!

Jelly Grandma

For more, don’t miss Can I Use Pancake Mix Instead Of Flour? (And 4 Alternatives).