If you want a really great way to use up zucchini, make zucchini bread and slice it up for the freeze dryer. It makes the best biscotti for dipping in your morning coffee. We just had two slices that I freeze dried two years ago and I now have zucchini waiting in the frig for baking today to replenish my supply. They make wonderful traveling snacks!
Love zucchini bread. My daughter will sometimes do that. When I lived in Hawaii I used to pick mangos from a big tree down by the college and then make mango bread. Sold some at a yard sale and they were bought up in no time. As for crackers, I would have spread out that zucchini recipe over the entire tray to thin it out. Or put half as much on the medium tray.
Just made these following the recipe in the cookbook. Used "Mexican 4 cheese" instead of mozzarella and made silver dollar sized portions instead of using dividers.. We're seriously obsessed. Best snack I have made in ages. The freeze-dried parmesan gives an extremely satisfying hit of umami. Lately, I've been having this strange adult craving for goldfish crackers (bad) but this is the experience my brain is really looking for. 10/10.
Whenever I do zucchini, I shred, sprinkle with a bunch of salt and let sit in the fridge for a day, then I drain all the liquid out using a salad spinner. I grow over 400#s of zukes every year and I fd a good portion of it. I may also freeze it, thaw, then drain to get more liquid out, then freeze on my trays. I do whatever I can to lighten the load for my FD while getting as much zucchini in there.
I have been watching your videos for some time now. I finally purchased a freeze dryer please dryer I used your link thank you for what you do to share all your knowledge.
@@karenfoster5705 Zucchini Cheese Crackers for Freeze Drying 1 large zucchini (unpeeled; scoop out seeds from large zucchinis) Shred Drain Press through cheesecloth or strainer to remove as much liquid as possible Measure out 4 cups Add: ⅓ cup parmesan cheese ½ cup mozzarella cheese 1 egg ½ tsp. red pepper flakes 1 scant teaspoon Johnny’s Garlic Spread & Seasoning (or garlic salt) Spread out very thinly on a parchment lined medium freeze dryer baking sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and sprinkle with: Additional mozzarella cheese Additional parmesan cheese and/or cheddar cheese “Everything But the Bagel” spice mix Bake for an additional 15 minutes or until cheese has lightly browned. When cooled, cut into cracker size squares, or use Retired at 40 tray dividers found here www.freezedryingsupplies.com/products/freeze-dryer-tray-dividers for size consistency and ease! Freeze dry, then package for short term storage due to the fats in the cheeses. This recipe fills one medium freeze dryer pan.
Many thanks for this video. I tried it the original way - very tasty! Then did another batch using some mini pepperoni, garlic powder, grated Parmesan and 4-Cheese Italian blend along with the same amounts of zucchini, beaten egg and Italian seasoning. I had to blot it a lot more after it came out of the oven until my paper towels no longer had oils from the pepperoni. Its pre-freeze and freeze drying went great. The crackers taste DELICIOUS with the mini pepperoni. During winter months I'll try chopping and using Frozen Veggie Zucchini Spirals from Walmart. Possibly they won't be as wet as those fresh out of my garden. With the pepperoni, these become a short storage item; but no worries at all that they'll be quickly eaten! Also a plus that they are very low carb.
Zero to 500 - that's about right! We just got ours up and running this week. Trying strawberries and squash for a trial run (it's got an hour to go yet) and then maybe I'll tackle that stack of zucchini on the table! Thanks for your video!
@@thefreezedryingcommunity this is the recipe I make. It only has 1tbsp of olive oil that might not even be necessary for freeze drying. It’s a really great recipe. ua-cam.com/video/ABXQexPGRUM/v-deo.html
If after spreading the raw mixture out could you pressie down with the bottom of another tray to make them thinner and more even or would everything stick to the bottom of the tray used for pressing
Always bringing great new ideas 💡 Brian to the freeze 🥶 dry community. I’m a little cautious of putting the freeze 🥶 drying pans in the oven. I know in General stainless steel pans can be rated for temps up to 500 degrees. I’m just a little cautious of what HarvestRight pans are rated for. I would just hate to ruin a set of sheet pans.
@@thefreezedryingcommunity None to be concerned about at this point and actually after thinking about it some more the HarvestRight stainless sheet pans quality are actually better than most stainless steel baking pans you can buy at Target.
@@thefreezedryingcommunity I think it would be best to bring these trays to room temp first so as not to overtax your freezer and cause other food in there any issues. Just like you never want to add anything warm to your fridge for the same reason.
I had a bunch of zucchini shredded in my freezer from last year. So I thought it and oh my goodness a lot of water came out! As I squeezed it it went from a gallon bag to about 4 cups or less. By taking out all that water at the beginning it doesn't take as long to freeze dry. And it is really crispy like a zucchini keto triscuit!!! I added fresh chopped jalapenos out of the garden and lots of hot spices for my husband! Magnificent! So I asked all the neighborhood for their leftover zucchinis so you're doing them a favor too! Pat
It would really depend on what you are referring to. Most stuff that I consider short term is a few months, especially if you live in a humid climate. "snacks" like this might be considered shorter term because of the oil in the cheese. However, I have had some cheese that was still great after 4 years. Also depends on your ability to correctly store and process foods.
In order to make them thinner could we do two layers with parchment in the middle? I would just score it with a pizza slicer before popping them in the freeze dryer. Your thoughts
Kinda seems like you could score them "per layer" before stacking - and maybe 2 layers of parchment would make them less likely to stick on both sides of the paper. Had to do that with cantaloupe that stuck on both sides of the single sheet of parchment, but when I added another sheet - it was just a thing of beauty! Can we put the parchment between the layers IN the FD is the question for me...
I have these in the oven now. I am baking in a regular cookie sheet then transferring to the FD pan. I also shredded more zucchini as I really feel like we will like these. My thought was to go ahead and freeze dry the next batch and use them along with freeze zucchini next time to help absorb some of the liquid that is near impossible to get out. Thoughts?
Depends on lots of things, but if you try to eliminate as much oil as you can and there is no visible oil, you could get away with many months or years
I know you said you doubled your recipe, is the 8 cups your doubled amount? I used the eight cups plus exactly the amounts you stated for everything else. Is this the doubled recipe or single. I have the Medium dryer.
How would you modify this if you've already fd'ed shredded zucchini? I wouldn't imagine that you could effectively just preshred the zuccs and keep it in the fridge till you get enough to make a large batch... Darn it - this video made me crave it so bad!
And if you don’t rinse the salt off it adds a nice saltiness to the cracker. Brian thank you so much for sharing this recipe. I find it is very adaptable to different flavors/seasonings/cheeses. This is a game changing recipe for me as I am trying to embrace a low carb lifestyle and I do miss my crackers! Really, really good. I also like to add sprinkles of Everything bagel seasoning or sesame seeds before baking.
Well, also, you do not want to put anything but room temperature products in the freezer. You actually can get food poisoning by freezing, warm or hot food
I just purchased a freeze dryer from harvest right It's been almost 2 weeks now since I've gotten it. It still has not made it through a single bread run. Is the display initially read -163ﾟF which which I figured and it was later confirmed by the salesman that was though that was impossible. It always shows me inadequate inadequate freeze vacuum number 9. I called them today and they made me another appointment with their technician for 7 days from now. I need this up and running immediately does anyone got any suggestions? They would be greatly appreciated. One would think they would take it back if they couldn't get it fixed for you immediately. I mean it's a brand new unit. They've got me putting putting in thumb drives, Test ect.., I told them that I want to just take it back if they can't get it running immediately, And they told me they can't take it back until is toe approved by the technician. I am sick of trying to fix the product that should have came out working on arrival!
If you want a really great way to use up zucchini, make zucchini bread and slice it up for the freeze dryer. It makes the best biscotti for dipping in your morning coffee. We just had two slices that I freeze dried two years ago and I now have zucchini waiting in the frig for baking today to replenish my supply. They make wonderful traveling snacks!
Wow! That sounds great. I will add it to my zuch list, thanks
This is a FANTASTIC idea! Thank you for sharing!
Love zucchini bread. My daughter will sometimes do that. When I lived in Hawaii I used to pick mangos from a big tree down by the college and then make mango bread. Sold some at a yard sale and they were bought up in no time. As for crackers, I would have spread out that zucchini recipe over the entire tray to thin it out. Or put half as much on the medium tray.
Zucchini biscotti sounds awesome! Do you have a recipe?
@@fleebin2794 sure! Any zucchini bread recipe will work!!!
Just made these following the recipe in the cookbook. Used "Mexican 4 cheese" instead of mozzarella and made silver dollar sized portions instead of using dividers.. We're seriously obsessed. Best snack I have made in ages. The freeze-dried parmesan gives an extremely satisfying hit of umami. Lately, I've been having this strange adult craving for goldfish crackers (bad) but this is the experience my brain is really looking for. 10/10.
Sounds great! What cook book?
How did you make silver dollar size portions? TIA
@@HomemadebyLA Just dolloped it onto baking trays line with parchment as if I was making cookies.
I am going to try this recipe for Keto pizza dough as well as crackers! ! FD'ed and not. Sounds fantastic!
enjoy!
Whenever I do zucchini, I shred, sprinkle with a bunch of salt and let sit in the fridge for a day, then I drain all the liquid out using a salad spinner. I grow over 400#s of zukes every year and I fd a good portion of it. I may also freeze it, thaw, then drain to get more liquid out, then freeze on my trays. I do whatever I can to lighten the load for my FD while getting as much zucchini in there.
😲that's a lot of zucchini
I made the Zucchini Crackers... AMAZING!!! Thanks for sharing
Glad you like them! This recipe came from a Facebook Group member
If you freeze grated zucchini then thaw it it will pull a lot of moisture out , run it through a strainer then you can make it
Awesome video! And the comments and suggestions from the community are just as awesome! Thank You so much. ~Sharon
Thanks for the video. Usually give a lot of those away when they come in. Looking forward to make these.
You bet!
Made this last summer and family really liked them.
Glad to hear it!
How exciting!! Looking forward to trying this recipe!! Thank you!!!
Hope you enjoy
Yum. Good shtuff as always!
I have been watching your videos for some time now. I finally purchased a freeze dryer please dryer I used your link thank you for what you do to share all your knowledge.
I freeze dryed my cubed zucchini and then made zucchini flour.
This is awesome recipe. Thank you for sharing.
My pleasure 😊
Wow! I can’t wait to try these crackers! Thank you!
That’s a great recipe! Thank you!!
Enjoy!
Can’t wait to use this when my zucchini harvest is out of control! 😂
It takes alot and tastes great!
I wish you would make the dividers for stay fresh🙏
Yum! Can't wait to try this one!
Do freeze dried pudding it's amazing lol I even add things to it like coconut
Wow! sounds good!
@@thefreezedryingcommunity can you share that recipe?
@@karenfoster5705 Zucchini Cheese Crackers for Freeze Drying
1 large zucchini (unpeeled; scoop out seeds from large zucchinis)
Shred
Drain
Press through cheesecloth or strainer to remove as much liquid as possible
Measure out 4 cups
Add:
⅓ cup parmesan cheese
½ cup mozzarella cheese
1 egg
½ tsp. red pepper flakes
1 scant teaspoon Johnny’s Garlic Spread & Seasoning (or garlic salt)
Spread out very thinly on a parchment lined medium freeze dryer baking sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 15 minutes.
Remove from oven and sprinkle with:
Additional mozzarella cheese
Additional parmesan cheese and/or cheddar cheese
“Everything But the Bagel” spice mix
Bake for an additional 15 minutes or until cheese has lightly browned.
When cooled, cut into cracker size squares, or use Retired at 40 tray dividers found here www.freezedryingsupplies.com/products/freeze-dryer-tray-dividers
for size consistency and ease!
Freeze dry, then package for short term storage due to the fats in the cheeses.
This recipe fills one medium freeze dryer pan.
Want to know what shredder you use
These are awesome! They are my tennage son's FAVORITE way to use zucchini, and they work for hubs keto.
That is awesome!
These are on my plans for tomorrow! I have so many zucchini, so this is perfect! All of the ingredients are healthy too! Thank you!
Many thanks for this video. I tried it the original way - very tasty! Then did another batch using some mini pepperoni, garlic powder, grated Parmesan and 4-Cheese Italian blend along with the same amounts of zucchini, beaten egg and Italian seasoning. I had to blot it a lot more after it came out of the oven until my paper towels no longer had oils from the pepperoni. Its pre-freeze and freeze drying went great. The crackers taste DELICIOUS with the mini pepperoni. During winter months I'll try chopping and using Frozen Veggie Zucchini Spirals from Walmart. Possibly they won't be as wet as those fresh out of my garden. With the pepperoni, these become a short storage item; but no worries at all that they'll be quickly eaten! Also a plus that they are very low carb.
Why not freeze dry shredded zucchini to used to make the crackers in the winter…do you think that would work with the recipe?
@@anthonykenny2631 That's a great suggestion! I'll try it.
Merci
My pleasure
Zero to 500 - that's about right! We just got ours up and running this week. Trying strawberries and squash for a trial run (it's got an hour to go yet) and then maybe I'll tackle that stack of zucchini on the table! Thanks for your video!
That sounds delicious! Gonna make these for sure, thanks!
Enjoy!
Awesome!!!!
Thanks!!
Do you think these would work if I took the dividers out after freezing in the deep freeze but prior to putting in the freeze dryer?
Could you post the written recipe in your fb group?
Live Life Simple... with a personal freeze drier... simple...
are there any recipes using zucchini flour (freeze drying the zucchini and processing into flour)
Falafel crackers would be great too
if you could make them without oil, those would be great!
@@thefreezedryingcommunity this is the recipe I make. It only has 1tbsp of olive oil that might not even be necessary for freeze drying. It’s a really great recipe. ua-cam.com/video/ABXQexPGRUM/v-deo.html
Not a zucchini fan but might have to try this. 👍🏼
If after spreading the raw mixture out could you pressie down with the bottom of another tray to make them thinner and more even or would everything stick to the bottom of the tray used for pressing
Its a pretty sticky mixture.
Place parchment paper on top before smashing down
Always bringing great new ideas 💡 Brian to the freeze 🥶 dry community. I’m a little cautious of putting the freeze 🥶 drying pans in the oven. I know in General stainless steel pans can be rated for temps up to 500 degrees. I’m just a little cautious of what HarvestRight pans are rated for. I would just hate to ruin a set of sheet pans.
I hear ya. I think at 375, the biggest thing you would need to worry about is the hot to cold. Can you think of any other concerns besides warping?
@@thefreezedryingcommunity None to be concerned about at this point and actually after thinking about it some more the HarvestRight stainless sheet pans quality are actually better than most stainless steel baking pans you can buy at Target.
@@thefreezedryingcommunity I think it would be best to bring these trays to room temp first so as not to overtax your freezer and cause other food in there any issues. Just like you never want to add anything warm to your fridge for the same reason.
if you freeze dried cucumbers and put them in pickle juice would you get pickles?
🤔
Salad spinner works nice to get out water from zucchini
I think to really get enough out, they need to be pressed. Zucchini hold a ton of water (they are mostly made of water)
I'm curious how the recipe may have tasted coming out of the oven,,,before FD it. Did you try some?
Where do I find the recipe link? Thank you!
What model avid armor do you recommend?? Thx
I use the usv32
Hello, I purchased the dividers for medium freeze dryer, but are they supposed to have very small area in the corner?
If you want to reach out on our website chat we can help you out with that
We are getting ready to make these crackers for a second time this season. What a zucchini stash buster! The crackers are delicious!
Good to hear. Love zucchini crackers
I had a bunch of zucchini shredded in my freezer from last year. So I thought it and oh my goodness a lot of water came out! As I squeezed it it went from a gallon bag to about 4 cups or less. By taking out all that water at the beginning it doesn't take as long to freeze dry. And it is really crispy like a zucchini keto triscuit!!! I added fresh chopped jalapenos out of the garden and lots of hot spices for my husband! Magnificent! So I asked all the neighborhood for their leftover zucchinis so you're doing them a favor too! Pat
What is considered short term? Something like ~5 to 10 yrs?
It would really depend on what you are referring to. Most stuff that I consider short term is a few months, especially if you live in a humid climate. "snacks" like this might be considered shorter term because of the oil in the cheese. However, I have had some cheese that was still great after 4 years. Also depends on your ability to correctly store and process foods.
Would this work with cucumber if you just used the flesh?
Does Harvest Right ever put the freeze dryers on sale?
Every holiday
In order to make them thinner could we do two layers with parchment in the middle? I would just score it with a pizza slicer before popping them in the freeze dryer. Your thoughts
Kinda seems like you could score them "per layer" before stacking - and maybe 2 layers of parchment would make them less likely to stick on both sides of the paper. Had to do that with cantaloupe that stuck on both sides of the single sheet of parchment, but when I added another sheet - it was just a thing of beauty! Can we put the parchment between the layers IN the FD is the question for me...
I noticed you have your freeze dryer on a cart.
Do you have info on what would be the best cart for a medium freeze dryer?
I have these in the oven now. I am baking in a regular cookie sheet then transferring to the FD pan. I also shredded more zucchini as I really feel like we will like these. My thought was to go ahead and freeze dry the next batch and use them along with freeze zucchini next time to help absorb some of the liquid that is near impossible to get out. Thoughts?
I think you will live them and you are on the right track
Why did you put a cover on crackers before putting in fd?
It was hard to read the recipe on the screen and it changes a bit fast, could you possibly repost the recipe on MeWe?
Did you add additional cheese on top..
Yes and then back in the oven again
How long will it keep?
Depends on lots of things, but if you try to eliminate as much oil as you can and there is no visible oil, you could get away with many months or years
I know you said you doubled your recipe, is the 8 cups your doubled amount? I used the eight cups plus exactly the amounts you stated for everything else. Is this the doubled recipe or single. I have the Medium dryer.
8 cups was my doubled amount.
How would you modify this if you've already fd'ed shredded zucchini? I wouldn't imagine that you could effectively just preshred the zuccs and keep it in the fridge till you get enough to make a large batch... Darn it - this video made me crave it so bad!
Anyone tried this with yellow squash instead of zucchini? Or perhaps a mix of yellow squash and zucchini?
If you put salt on the zucchini pkace it in a colander, and let it drain, you will remove a ton of water
Good to know thanks
And if you don’t rinse the salt off it adds a nice saltiness to the cracker. Brian thank you so much for sharing this recipe. I find it is very adaptable to different flavors/seasonings/cheeses. This is a game changing recipe for me as I am trying to embrace a low carb lifestyle and I do miss my crackers! Really, really good. I also like to add sprinkles of Everything bagel seasoning or sesame seeds before baking.
Where did you get the dividers?
The website
www.freezedryingsupplies.com
Well, also, you do not want to put anything but room temperature products in the freezer. You actually can get food poisoning by freezing, warm or hot food
I’m trying this today. Finally, we’re getting zucchini!! It’s draining now….
Great to hear! Happy Freeze Drying!
...One day...😤 (also put some salt before squeezing the zucini, it will sweat faster and more).
I found this recipe at just the right time I have an abundance of Zucchini to use up! We should connect and learn from each other!
Great timing, enjoy
I just purchased a freeze dryer from harvest right It's been almost 2 weeks now since I've gotten it. It still has not made it through a single bread run. Is the display initially read -163ﾟF which which I figured and it was later confirmed by the salesman that was though that was impossible. It always shows me inadequate inadequate freeze vacuum number 9. I called them today and they made me another appointment with their technician for 7 days from now. I need this up and running immediately does anyone got any suggestions? They would be greatly appreciated. One would think they would take it back if they couldn't get it fixed for you immediately. I mean it's a brand new unit. They've got me putting putting in thumb drives, Test ect.., I told them that I want to just take it back if they can't get it running immediately, And they told me they can't take it back until is toe approved by the technician. I am sick of trying to fix the product that should have came out working on arrival!
Those are some tiny zucchini.