How To Cook Zucchini For Baby Boys Or Girls With Recipes

Zucchini has really been on the rise lately in the latest food trends. There are zoodles for noodle loves seeking a healthier dish, and even zucchini fries for those of us who can’t seem to knock the fried food cravings.  People across the globe have started to introduce the humble vegetable to friends and family as a viable substitute for their carbs. But did you know that the vitamin-rich vegetable that has taken the world by storm could be used to create a nutrient-dense meal for babies as well? That’s right, your little bundle of joy can indeed safely hop on the trends too! This post will show you exactly how to cook zucchini for baby boys or girls.

Understanding Seasonal Foods

Understanding what foods are in season throughout the year can not only aid in the quality of the meals you make but also vastly reduce your grocery bill if done correctly. It also allows you to preserve seasonal foods that you may foresee yourself needing at other times of the year. Zucchini is often referred to as the summer squash as it is a seasonal vegetable that is grown mainly in the summertime and it can be substitute squash in most recipes.

Choosing The Best Zucchini

If you’ve ever grown your own zucchini or seen it in a garden, you would have noticed that they have the potential to grow in very large sizes. In this case, however, bigger isn’t necessarily better. The smaller zucchinis tend to pack way for flavor than their larger counterparts. So, when selecting zucchinis at the grocery store, try to find the relatively thin ones and about 6 – 8 inches in length. Try to find the ones on the heavier side. In terms of color, the darker the better. You want to search for zucchinis with smooth, dark green skin.

Should Zucchini Be Peeled Before Using Them for Baby Food?

The short answer to this question is it’s up to you. If you buy organic, then definitely keep the skin on. The skin of the zucchini packs a load of nutrients and vitamins including vitamin A, magnesium, and potassium. All of which is great for the baby’s immune system and bone growth. The skin may feel hard when you first buy them, but fret not, as it will soften as it cooks making it super easy for your little bundle of joy to digest.

How to Make Zucchini Baby Food

Things You’ll Need

• 2 zucchinis, medium-sized
• Water

Steps To Follow

Step 1: Cooking Your Zucchini

1. Thoroughly rinse and trim your zucchini (you want to remove the butts from both ends) then roughly slice.
2. Fit a steam basket into a medium pot, then add in your zucchini.
3. Add your water. You only need just enough to cover the base of the steam basket as it is the steam that will be cooking the zucchini.
4. Cover and cook until tender. This should only take a few minutes. You should be able to easily pierce with a fork when done.

Step 2: Creating a Puree

1. Transfer your zucchini to a blender or food processor then puree until smooth.

Note: You don’t need to add any water in this step as the zucchini already has high water content. You should be able to achieve a smooth puree by blending just the zucchini.

Pro-Tip: If you find that your baby doesn’t seem to enjoy the zucchini puree on its own, try adding in a bit of applesauce to add a layer of sweetness to the dish. Any fruit purr will work for this, by the way. So, if you don’t have applesauce on hand, any fruit puree will do.

How to Store Your Leftover Zucchini Baby Food

Any leftover baby food can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. You can also opt to make it in larger batches and store it in the freezer for a maximum of 3 months.

As your baby gets older you can bump them up from the puree to zucchini finger foods such as zucchini fries. Here are a few simple recipes you can follow if your baby is already at the solid food stage.

Zucchini Fries

These zucchini fries are to die for and perfect for both baby and mom. They are simple to make, healthy, and a hit with kids.

Serves: 4

Time: 40 mins

Ingredients

• 4 medium zucchinis, cut into fries
• 2 tablespoons flaxseed meal
• 1 1/2 cups ground pork rinds
• 1 large egg
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Season with some of the salt and let rest on a cutting board for at least 20 minutes. Then pat the moisture from the fries with a paper towel.
2. Meanwhile, mix the “breading.” Place the flaxseed meal into a bowl and combine with the ground pork rinds. Add the dried herbs, onion and garlic powder, a pinch of salt, and black pepper.
3. In a small bowl, mix the egg with another pinch of salt. Dip each zucchini piece into the egg and transfer it to the bowl with the breading.
4. Dredge the zucchini in the breading then add to a lined baking sheet.
5. Drizzle the fries with melted coconut oil.
6. Transfer the sheet to the oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until lightly browned and crispy. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool.
7. Serve and enjoy!

Note: It is recommended to cut the fries in small pieces when serving to your baby to ensure they do not swallow really large pieces.

Zucchini Fritters

These fritters are delicious starters for the day for both you and your little bundle of joy.

Serves: 4

Time: 15 mins.

Ingredients:

• ½ cup self-rising flour
• 3 zucchinis, medium size, grated, ends trimmed
• ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 2 white onions, grated
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 egg, lightly whisked
• 2 teaspoons dried basil
• ¼ cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped
• Small pinch nutmeg
• 4 tablespoons vegetable oil

Directions:

1. Place grated zucchinis in a colander and squeeze out as much excess moisture as possible.
2. Transfer zucchinis to a bowl and add flour, parmesan, salt, onion, basil, egg, and nutmeg.
3. Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a non-stick skillet and drop 2 tablespoons of prepared mixture into the pan.
4. Cook for 1 ½ minutes per side, until golden. Repeat with the remaining oil and mixture.
5. Set on a plate lined with a kitchen towel and serve while still warm.

Note: It is recommended to cut the fritters in small pieces when serving to your baby to ensure they do not swallow really large pieces.

Final Thoughts

Homemade baby food is incredibly easy to make and works out cheaper in the long run. You get to use nutritional veggies like carrots and zucchini that contain a myriad of beneficial plant compounds, vitamins, and minerals. All of which will aid in your baby grow healthy bones and build up their immune system.

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