Zucchini noodles, also called zucchini noodles, are a healthy alternative to the usual pasta. While they taste best when fresh, you can dry and freeze them if you want to keep them for a long time.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Dry the Zucchini Spaghetti
Step 1. Put the zucchini noodles in a large bowl
Before freezing the noodles, it is important to let them dry as much as possible. In general, zucchini noodles lose both shape and texture when stored for a long period of time. In fact, once thawed they become mushy and far from appetizing.
- You can make zucchini noodles at home or buy them ready-made at a health food store.
- Thin noodles tend to keep better than thick or wide ones.
Step 2. Sprinkle the noodles with kosher salt
Measure approximately 1 tablespoon of kosher salt for every 300g of noodles. Then, take a pinch of salt and sprinkle it on the spaghetti, covering as much surface as possible.
Salt helps maintain the consistency of the spaghetti during storage
Step 3. Knead the courgette spaghetti carefully, adjusting with salt if necessary
Squeeze the noodles with your hands and turn them in the bowl. Repeat this process to make sure you mix the spaghetti and salt well. As you knead, add more salt to coat the noodles that haven't been treated. Eventually you should see grains of salt on every single noodle.
Step 4. Stir the spaghetti until frothy and solid
As you knead the noodles, a lot of water will come out. During the procedure, the spaghetti will solidify slightly and a frothy mixture will form on the surface, as if the bowl contained soapy water. Keep stirring the noodles until they are hard to the touch. This process usually takes 2 to 3 minutes.
Step 5. Line a colander with a clean cloth or tea towel
Take a colander large enough to hold all the noodles. Line it with a tea towel or other thin cloth, then wedge it over a sink or large bowl.
- Since you will need to let the spaghetti rest, put the colander in a safe place.
- Avoid using thick cloths, otherwise you will have a harder time wringing them out.
Step 6. Wrap the zucchini spaghetti with the cloth
Move the noodles into the colander with extreme care. Make sure all the noodles are inside the cloth, then wrap them by picking up the edges of the cloth until you make a makeshift bag. Before continuing, check that you have collected all the noodles with the cloth.
If necessary, secure the cloth using pins or a clothespin
Step 7. Wring the cloth to remove excess water
Grab the top of the cloth bag with one hand and squeeze the bottom with the other to help water flow out of the noodles. Repeat this process for about 2 minutes or until the liquid stops flowing.
Step 8. Let the zucchini noodles dry for at least an hour
Leave them inside the cloth and let them rest for as long as possible, at least an hour. This will allow the remaining liquid to dry up. The less water they contain when frozen, the tastier they will be when defrosted.
Part 2 of 2: Store the Zucchini Spaghetti in the Freezer
Step 1. Spread the zucchini noodles into several freezer bags
Carefully remove them from the cloth and lay them on a clean table. If they seem dry enough, place them in various small freezer bags.
- Although it is possible to put them all in a large bag, storing them in smaller portions allows the noodles to better retain their shape and texture after defrosting.
- Since it is important to keep noodles compressed, do not store them in a rigid container, such as a glass jar.
- If they feel soft and flimsy to the touch, repeat the drying procedure.
Step 2. Remove the air from the bags and close them
Once the noodles have been spread out, press each bag with your hands to remove excess air. At this point, close the bag tightly to prevent air from entering.
Step 3. Label each bag
To make sure you store them properly, put a label on each bag and note the date you frozen them. Also, if each sachet contains more than one serving, you may want to indicate this information as well.
Step 4. Store the zucchini noodles in the freezer for up to a year
Just like most summer squash, zucchini noodles can be stored for up to 12 months. However, keep in mind that they can lose their flavor over time, so try to eat them as soon as possible.
Step 5. Boil the zucchini noodles to thaw them
When you plan to eat them, fill a pot of water and bring it to a boil. Place the spaghetti in a colander and put them in the water for about 1 minute. This way they will cook and rehydrate. Defrosted noodles can be used to prepare the following dishes:
- Sautéed dishes;
- White sauce dishes;
- Dishes with prawns or scampi;
- Phở;
- Pad Thai.
