All About Zucchini
Your complete guide to zucchini - discover how to store it properly, identify when it's gone bad, and find the best substitutes for your recipes.
How Long Does Zucchini Last?
Storage times and freshness tips for zucchini in different conditions.
Safety first: This guide provides general information. When in doubt, throw it out! Trust your senses and err on the side of caution. If something smells, looks, or tastes off, don't consume it.
Raw in Refrigerator5-7 days, sometimes up to 10 days if very fresh
Signs of Spoilage
Soft spots, wrinkled or shriveled skin, dull color (losing its vibrant green), slimy or sticky film on the surface, mold growth (white, fuzzy, or black spots), unpleasant sour or musty odor.
How to Check
Visual: Check for bright, even green color. Look for any dark spots, mold, or shriveled areas. Touch: It should be firm and smooth. If it feels soft, squishy, or slimy, it's likely spoiled. Smell: Fresh zucchini has a very mild, earthy scent. A strong, sour, or unpleasant odor indicates spoilage.
Storage Tips
Store unwashed in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator, ideally in a loosely open plastic bag or paper towel to manage moisture. Washing before storage can accelerate spoilage. If cut, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and use within 2-3 days, as its shelf life significantly shortens once cut.
Cooked in Refrigerator3-4 days
Signs of Spoilage
Sour or off-smell, visible mold, excessively mushy or slimy texture, discoloration (darker or unusual hues).
How to Check
Smell: A sour, fermented, or generally unpleasant smell is a clear sign. Visual: Look for mold, unusual color changes, or a hazy appearance. Texture: Cooked zucchini is already soft, but if it's excessively mushy, slimy, or falls apart too easily, it may be bad.
Storage Tips
Store cooked zucchini promptly within two hours of cooking in an airtight container in the refrigerator to prevent bacterial growth and maintain freshness. Do not leave at room temperature for extended periods.
Frozen (Prepared for Freezing)6-12 months for best quality
Signs of Spoilage
While frozen items don't 'spoil' in the traditional sense, quality degrades. Signs include freezer burn (dry, discolored spots), excessive ice crystals forming (beyond light frost), or a noticeably bland or 'off' taste after thawing. Texture will be softer than fresh upon thawing.
How to Check
Visual: Check for large ice crystals or areas of freezer burn. Smell: After thawing, it shouldn't have a strong, unpleasant freezer odor. Taste: If in doubt and signs are minimal, taste a small amount; an 'off' flavor indicates degraded quality.
Storage Tips
For best results, blanch zucchini slices or cubes for 2-3 minutes, then cool rapidly in ice water before freezing. Alternatively, shred and squeeze out excess moisture before freezing. Store in airtight freezer bags or containers, removing as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn and maintain quality.