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How to cook zucchini for baby food


Zucchini Baby Puree - Healthy Little Foodies

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This zucchini (courgette) baby puree is mild tasting and a great first stage puree. Serve it as it is, mix with other purees or add fresh herbs for flavour.

Reasons to Love this Puree

  • TEXTURE – Zucchini (courgette) has a high water content which makes the puree nice and thin and easy for your baby to swallow. It is fantastic for thinning out thicker vegetable/meat purees.
  • TASTE – Zucchini has a delicate flavour making it a great first taste food. It combines well with a range of vegetables, meats and is a good canvas for experimenting with different herbs and spices.
  • NUTRITION – Zucchinis are a good source of vitamins and minerals including beta carotene (which converts to vitamin A), vitamin C, Vitamin B6, folate, vitamin K, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium and calcium.
  • FREEZER FRIENDLY – Prep ahead for busier nights.

Watch How to Make it (Video)

Zucchini is the only ingredient needed to make zucchini puree. Due to their high water content, no extra liquid is needed.

Basil (or herb of choice) adds flavour, try serving it with and without herbs to provide your baby with a variety of flavours.

How to Choose and Store Zucchini

  • Look for zucchinis that are small to medium-sized (no larger than 15 – 20cm (6 to 8 inches)), larger zucchinis tend to be more watery, flavourless and have larger seeds.
  • Choose zucchinis with vibrant, smooth skin free of nicks and cuts.
  • Ensure your zucchinis are dry and store them in the vegetable drawer of your refrigerator. Do not wash them until just before using. Avoid wrapping in plastic bags, as they can cause excess moisture and the zucchini can get soft/slimy.

Process Shots and Cooking Tips

  1. WASH & SLICE: Wash, top and tail the zucchini. Cut zucchini in half lengthwise and then slice.
  2. STEAM: Steam for around 8-10 minutes or until soft and tender.
  3. MASH / PUREE: Puree smooth or mash to offer your baby a more textured puree. It is always good to start adding texture and not only offer smooth purees.

Zucchini Baby Puree Combinations

Zucchini has quite a mild flavour and is a good canvas for adding other flavours. Good partners with zucchini include:

  • corn puree
  • pea puree
  • eggplant puree
  • butternut squash puree
  • bell pepper
  • lentil puree
  • eggs
  • chicken puree
  • mashed potato
  • sweet potato puree

Try changing up the flavour by adding…

  • basil
  • garlic
  • lemon
  • marjoram
  • onion
  • parsley
  • thyme

Storage Instructions

Store in the refrigerator for 2 days or freeze for up to two months. Read more on how to safely store baby food.  

Frequently Asked Questions

Is zucchini a common food allergen?

Zucchini is not a common allergen although cases of zucchini allergy have been reported. (1)

What age is this puree suitable from?

Zucchini puree can be introduced once your baby is ready to start solids, which is generally around 6 months of age. It is a great stage one/first tastes puree.

Should I peel the zucchini skin?

No, there is no need to peel the skin. When zucchini is cooked the skin is soft and perfectly edible. Most of the nutrients in zucchini are contained in the peel so it is best to leave it on.  

Do I need to remove the seeds?

No, the seeds in zucchini are very soft and are easily pureed/mashed.

Looking for zucchini finger food ideas? Why not try

  • Zucchini Bites
  • Zucchini Muffins
  • Zucchini Fritters

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5 from 1 vote

Zucchini (Courgette) Puree

Zucchini steamed and pureed. Delicious on its own or mixed with other purees.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

  • ▢ 2 medium zucchinis
  • ▢ 1 or 2 basil leaves (optional)

  • Wash and remove the ends of the zucchinis. Slice into rounds.

  • Steam the zucchini for 8-10 minutes or until soft.

  • Add cooked slices to a blender along with the basil. Blend until smooth.

Basil is optional or can be replaced with a different herb such as parsley or thyme. 

As babies age, you want to add more texture. This puree can be easily mashed for a chunkier texture. 

I find you need 2 zucchinis for a larger blender to blend properly. If you have a smaller blender or plan to mash then you can half the recipe. 

Nutritional information is a rough guide only, calculated using an online nutrition calculator.  

Nutrition Facts

Zucchini (Courgette) Puree

Amount Per Serving

Calories 7 Calories from Fat 9

% Daily Value*

Fat 1g2%

Saturated Fat 1g5%

Polyunsaturated Fat 1g

Monounsaturated Fat 1g

Sodium 3mg0%

Potassium 103mg3%

Carbohydrates 1g0%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 1g1%

Protein 1g2%

Vitamin A 83IU2%

Vitamin C 7mg8%

Calcium 6mg1%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Course:Baby Food

Cuisine:Puree

Keyword:Courgette Puree, Zucchini Puree

Did you make this recipe?Mention @WPRecipeMaker or tag #wprecipemaker!

References

  1. Reindl, J. , Anliker, M. D., Karamloo, F., Vieths, S., & Wüthrich, B. (2000). Allergy caused by ingestion of zucchini (Cucurbita pepo): Characterization of allergens and cross-reactivity to pollen and other foods. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 106(2), 379–38

Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to replace the personalised care and advice given to you by a health professional. You should never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read or seen here. Please refer to our full disclaimer for more info.

Meet Amy

Amy Whiteford runs the blog Healthy Little Foodies. She is a mum to two, has a BSc (Hons) Food Science, PGDE Primary Education and a Certificate in Childhood Nutrition. She uses her experience and knowledge to create healthy and delicious recipes for kids. Explore the site for creative ideas, tips, and inspiration! Read more

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How to Serve Zucchini to Baby

Learn how to prepare zucchini for your baby in 5 delicious and easy ways! As a mild and versatile vegetable (okay, technically, it’s a fruit), zucchini can be served to babies 6 months and up. Serve them as a baby food puree, as a solid for the finger food stage or for baby-led weaning.

Medically reviewed and co-written by Jamie Johnson, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), and Lauren Braaten, Pediatric Occupational Therapist (OT).

Zucchini for Baby

Zucchini is a versatile and mild-tasting member of the squash family. It’s also a great first food to offer to babies as soon as they’re ready to start solids, usually around 6 months.

Whether you are feeding your baby using traditional (spoon) weaning, baby-led weaning, or a combination of both, zucchini definitely deserves a place as one of your baby’s first foods. We’ll go over 5 delicious ways to serve zucchini to your baby and toddler, from purees to finger foods.

First time making homemade baby food? Then, I would suggest that you start by reading my very in-depth Guide on how to Make Homemade Baby Food – which goes over all the important information such as the best cooking tools to have on hand, safe storage, how to know when baby is ready for solids, how to introduce purees, the best first foods for baby, and more! If you are doing Baby-Led Weaning, then be sure to check out my Complete Guide to Baby-Led Weaning – which covers what exactly is baby-led weaning, to every parent’s concern of baby-led weaning and choking, this guide goes over it all. I will also share how to know when baby is ready for BLW, the top 10 best first foods, a helpful sample blw feeding schedule, helpful tools to have on hand, and much much more!

Zucchini for Baby Video

Watch this video to see how to prepare zucchini for your baby!

Reasons to Love Zucchini for Baby

  • delicious baby food purees – 6+ months
  • great for baby-led weaning – 6+ months 
  • also great for the finger food stage – 9+ months
  • full of essential nutrients for baby
  • different ways for baby to eat – spoon-fed or self-feed 
  • easy to make

Benefits of Zucchini for Baby

Zucchini is a nutrient-dense food. In addition, it’s soft and primarily water, making it a great option for hydrating babies.

  • High in vitamin C, which supports the immune system and helps with iron absorption
  • Contains beta-carotene, needed for healthy eyesight
  • A good source of potassium, an important electrolyte needed for fluid balance, muscle contractions and a normal blood pressure
  • Contains water and fiber, which support digestion and can help with constipation

How to Pick Zucchini

When picking a zucchini, look for one that has a vibrant, rich color, and is smaller in size (6-8 inches) compared to larger ones, as smaller means more flavor. Make sure it is firm and free from cuts and bruises.

Frequently Asked Questions 

When can I introduce zucchini to your baby?

Zucchini can be introduced when your baby is ready for solid foods, usually around 6 months of age. When a baby can start on solids is determined by their own rate of development, which generally comes between 4-6 months of age. Some of the developmental milestones babies need to reach in order to start solids include: if your baby has solid control of their head and neck, if your baby has doubled in weight, and if your baby is reaching for or opening their mouth when you eat (see my guide here). Before you start your baby on purees, you should consult with your pediatrician to make sure your child is developmentally ready for purees.

Is zucchini a choking hazard?

Zucchini is not known to be a common choking hazard. It is usually served cooked, which gives it a soft consistency, but always serve it in an age-appropriate form and supervise your baby when eating.

Is zucchini a common allergen?

No, it is not a common allergen, however, as with any food, start with a small portion and be aware of any signs that might be an allergic reaction after introducing it.

Does zucchini cause constipation for babies?

Zucchini does not usually cause constipation in babies, and it can actually help alleviate constipation due to its fiber and water content.

Tools Needed

These tools will make it a lot easier for you to serve melon to your baby. For more of my favorite kitchen tools, make sure to check out my shop.

  • Blender or Food Processor
  • Storage Containers for Fridge
  • highchair
  • bib with catch pocket
  • Baby Bowls
  • Suction Baby Plates
  • Baby Spoons
  • Freezer Storage Tray
  • Gootensil
  • Saucepan
  • Baking Sheet

How to Serve Zucchini to Baby

There are several different ways to prepare zucchini for your baby! You can make it into a smooth puree, a combination puree, a chunky puree for stage three, mashed and spread on toast or whole for baby-led weaning or a finger food. Here are some of our favorite ways to serve them:

Stage One Puree
  • Easy Zucchini Puree
Stage Two Puree
  • Roasted Zucchini Cauliflower Baby Puree
Stage Three Purees
  • Chunky Zucchini Pea and Broccoli Puree with Pasta
Baby-Led Weaning or Finger Foods
  • Zucchini for Baby-Led Weaning or Finger Foods: thick strips, cut into small pieces or in a small wedge.
  • Zucchini Pancakes
  • Roasted Zucchini Cauliflower – do not puree, serve roasted and whole
  • Chunky Zucchini Pea and Broccoli Puree with Pasta

Baby Feeding Tips

  • You can keep the skin on zucchini, even when serving to younger babies. When cooked, the skin will help hold a zucchini spear together while your baby holds and brings it to their mouth.
  • You can also roll cooked zucchini spears in crushed cheerios or breadcrumbs to help give the zucchini texture and give your baby a better grip.
  • Try serving shredded zucchini mixed into other dishes, such as quinoa, chickpeas, eggs or with other cooked vegetables and offer to baby on a pre-loaded spoon.
  • For babies 9+ months and toddlers, you can start to offer small, diced pieces of zucchini to work on their pincer grasp. Be sure to keep offering cooked spears or rounds from time to time, as these larger pieces are a great way for your child to develop oral motor skills necessary for biting and tearing off food.
  • Around 18+ months, you can start to offer raw zucchini, which is a great as a snack or side for meals.

Steamed Zucchini Puree

Zucchini puree is quick to make and its high water content makes it a naturally thin and easy puree to swallow. Zucchini puree’s mild flavor also makes it a great option to mix in with other thicker vegetable purees or meat puree.

How to Serve: you can serve this puree as-is, mixed with an apple, pear, or broccoli puree, swirled into oatmeal, yogurt, or ricotta.

Instructions (for the full recipe, see recipe card below): chop zucchini and place in a steamer basket. Cook for 8 minutes or until tender. Place the cooked zucchini into a blender or food processor along with the cilantro (optional) and puree until smooth.

Zucchini for Self Feeding: Baby-Led Weaning or Finger Foods

Zucchini is a great food for your baby to self-feed, whether for baby-led weaning, which happens around 6 months of age, or during the finger foods stage at 9 months.

Thick Spears (cooked): great for babies 6+ months or just starting on solid foods. It’s best to start your baby with a bigger piece of cooked zucchini so your baby can chew, gnaw and take bites without them being a choking hazard.

Grated, Small Chunks (cooked) or Spiralized: you can serve baby grated, small chunks or spiralized zucchini 9 months and older.

Sticks or Small Chunks (raw): Once your baby reaches 12 months, you can serve them raw uncooked sticks or small chunks of zucchini. Great served along with your toddler’s favorite dip.

Roasted Zucchini Cauliflower Baby Puree

This nutrient-dense puree introduces your baby to the delicious flavors of both zucchini and cauliflower. You can serve it as is or add the leftover puree to soup or pasta.

Instructions (for the full recipe, see recipe card below): chop cauliflower and zucchini and place on a baking sheet. Toss with a drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of dried herbs (optional) and roast until tender. Place the roasted zucchini and cauliflower into a blender or food processor and puree until smooth.

Chunky Zucchini Pea and Broccoli Puree with Pasta

Zucchini, Pea and Broccoli puree with pasta is a versatile dish, perfect for both babies and toddlers. You can easily adjust the thickness of the puree to your liking.

Instructions (for the full recipe, see recipe card below): cook pasta according to the directions on the package. Meanwhile, chop zucchini and broccoli and place in a steamer basket, and cook for 8-10 minutes or until tender, adding in peas for the last 2 minutes. In a food processor, add the cooked zucchini, broccoli, peas, olive oil, parmesan, and sesame seeds and make it into a chunky puree or into a thin puree. Toss with pasta and add a sprinkle of parmesan on top.

Zucchini Pancakes

These zucchini pancakes are an easy and yummy option for breakfast, lunch, snack or dinner. Serve them with butter and syrup, a smear of cream cheese, or cut into strips and dipped in yogurt.

Instructions (for the full recipe, see recipe card below): place all of the dry ingredients into a medium bowl and whisk. Add in wet ingredients and stir until just incorporated. Spoon onto a hot skillet or griddle and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side.

Recipe Tip: read more about these delicious zucchini pancakes here.

Or watch the shortened video here.

Zucchini Baby Puree
  • 2 medium zucchini, roughly chopped
  • 2-3 sprigs cilantro (optional)
Zucchini for Baby-Led Weaning
  • 1 medium zucchini
Roasted Zucchini Cauliflower Puree
  • 1 medium zucchini, roughly chopped
  • 2 cups caulilfower, roughly chopped
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/8 tsp dried oregano (optional)
Zucchini Broccoli & Pea Pasta
  • 1 medium zucchini, roughly chopped
  • 2 cups broccoli florets
  • 1/2 cup peas
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp parmesan (optional)
  • 1 tbsp roasted unsalted sesame seeds (optional)
  • 2 cups cooked pasta
Zucchini Pancakes
  • 1 1/2 cup flour all-purpose, white whole wheat for a gluten-free blend
  • 3 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 2 tbsp melted butter
  • 2 tbsp maple syrup
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup grated zucchini squeezed in towels until dry
  • 1 1/4 cup milk
Zucchini Baby Puree

  • In a medium saucepan, bring 2″ of water to a boil over medium heat. Place the zucchini into a steamer basket, cover and cook for 8-10 minutes or until tender. Reserve steamer water. Let cool slightly.

  • Place the cooked zucchini into a blender or food processor and add a pinch of dried oregano, or any spice/herb you are using. Turn on the blender or food processor and puree for 1-2 minutes on medium. If the puree is too thick, add in 1/4 cup of liquid at a time, until you achieve desired consistency.

  • Serve and enjoy, or store some for later.

Zucchini for Baby-Led Weaning

  • Steamed: In a medium saucepan, bring 2" of water to a boil over high heat. Add a steamer basket and add the large spears of zucchini into the basket in a single layer. Cover and cook for 3-5 minutes or until just tender when pricked with a fork. Remove from heat and let cool.

  • Roasted: Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, silicon mat or spray with cooking spray. Place the zucchini spears onto the baking sheet and cook for 15-20 minutes or until just tender. Let cool.

  • Slice or chop the carrots to be age-appropriate for your baby. Serve and enjoy.

Roasted Zucchini Cauliflower Puree

  • Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, silicon mat or spray with cooking spray. Place the zucchini and cauliflower onto the baking sheet and toss with the olive oil and oregano.

  • Place the baking sheet in the oven and roast for 25-30 minutes or until tender when pricked with a fork. Let cool.

  • Place the cooked zucchini and cauliflower into a blender or food processor and puree on high for 1-2 minutes, adding in liquid (fresh breastmilk, formula or water) if needed.

  • Serve and enjoy, or freeze some for later.

Zucchini Broccoli & Pea Pasta

  • In a medium saucepan, bring 2″ of water to a boil over medium heat. Place the zucchini and broccoli into a steamer basket, cover and cook for 8-10 minutes or until just tender. Add in the peas, and cook for an additional 2 minutes. Reserve steamer water. Let cool slightly.

  • Place the cooked zucchini, broccoli and peas into a blender or food processor and add in the olive, parmesan (if using), sesame seeds (if using) and pulse for a chunky puree or run for 1-2 minutes for a smooth puree. If the puree is too thick, add in 1/4 cup of the reserved liquid at a time, until you achieve desired consistency.

  • Toss with the pasta and add an optional pinch of parmesan cheese.

Zucchini Pancakes

  • In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and ground nutmeg.

  • Add in the melted butter, maple syrup, egg, vanilla extract, grated zucchini and milk.

  • Stir until incorporated, do not overmix.

  • Heat a non-stick pan or pancake griddle over medium to medium-low heat. Pour 2-3 tablespoons of batter onto the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes or until tiny bubbles appear on the outside of the pancake. Flip and cook for an additional 2 minutes. If the batter gets too thick, add in a tablespoon at a time of milk and stir until you have the right consistency.

  • Transfer pancakes to a cooling rack and repeat the process until you have used all of the batter.

Age: 6+ months

Yield: 3-4 small portions for baby

Storage: you can store the purees, pasta, or pancakes in the fridge for up to 5 days or the freezer for up to 4 months. The finger foods will last in the fridge in an air-tight container for up to 3 days. 

Spices/Herbs: Adding spices to your baby’s foods is a great way to introduce more complex flavors at an early age. Some great spices and herbs to add to cooked zucchini are a pinch of mild curry, garlic powder, and cumin or you can add in a pinch of chopped fresh parsley, chives, mint, and cilantro to your zucchini purees. 

 

Blender

Bumkins Baby Bowl

Bumkins Sleeved Bib

NumNum Pre-Spoon GOOtensils

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Zucchini puree for the first feeding

The introduction of zucchini in the first feeding is recommended by WHO, and zucchini puree for feeding the baby can be prepared without any problems yourself. There is nothing complicated in growing zucchini and the mature fruits of many varieties can be stored throughout the entire frosty period. The pulp of the fruit with elementary heat treatment retains its beneficial properties and is easily absorbed by the child's body even from an early age.

Contents

  • How to cook courgettes for the first feeding
  • Courgettes for complementary foods in baby food
  • Composition of marrow
  • Benefits of zucchini for children and adults

How to prepare zucchini for the first feeding

If you decide to start weaning your baby, start with zucchini. It will be the best addition to breast milk or adapted formula. Zucchini is a hypoallergenic product and contains a large amount of nutrients needed by the child.

Zucchini puree recipe

Cooking zucchini puree for the first feeding at home. Of the ingredients you need only zucchini and water. Let's start by rinsing the zucchini under cool running water. Peel off the skin and cut into cubes. Next 2 options. Either put it in boiling water, cook the zucchini for 6-10 minutes, while retaining the benefits of vitamin C. Or steam it, which will undoubtedly be tastier and healthier. Then we wipe through a sieve or grind with a blender.

You need to start complementary foods with one teaspoon, gradually day after day, increasing the number of spoons. It is important to introduce your child to this product at a very young age. When the child grows up, he will also need nutrients. And you can spoil him with many different zucchini dishes.

How to cook zucchini correctly and how much

For the first feeding, it is recommended to boil zucchini for up to 10 minutes. Usually this time is enough to soften the cut pieces. Do not forget that the longer the heat treatment of the vegetable takes place, the less vitamins and useful trace elements remain. Then everything is thoroughly crushed into puree and the first complementary foods are ready. Depending on the period of introduction of the puree to the baby, you can add a little vegetable oil to the puree if the mass of the portion of the puree has reached 100 g (usually on the 6th-7th day of feeding).

To prepare mashed potatoes, babies need to pick only young and fresh zucchini fruits: without rot, cracks and dents. The fruit is thoroughly washed under running water. Then its lateral parts are cut off: the tail and the “butt”; peel is removed. Zucchini is cut lengthwise into several parts, from which the central soft part with seeds is removed. The remaining parts are cut into cubes. If the vegetable is bought at the market or in a store, it is recommended to soak the zucchini in clean water for about 2 hours to remove unnatural trace elements from the fruit in the form of fertilizers and pesticides.

How to freeze and defrost zucchini? Cooked cut fruit cubes in the right amount are placed in plastic bags or containers, and then in the refrigerator. For the preparation of frozen fruit puree, it is recommended to use a defrosted vegetable. To speed up the process, bags or containers with zucchini are placed in water at room temperature or under running tap water. After 1-2 hours, you can start cooking according to a known scheme.

Squash for complementary foods in baby food

Squash is widely used in baby food for its unique properties. In addition, vegetable squash purees are considered the most popular when introducing the first complementary foods to a child. One-component zucchini puree manufacturers recommend using for children from 4 months.

Table of the introduction of the first complementary foods with zucchini according to WHO recommendations

Baby food recommended for the first complementary foods includes Heinz zucchini puree, which additionally includes corn flour and water. A similar product is Hipp zucchini puree, which contains coarse rice flour. These products are sold in glass jars with a net weight of 80 grams, and the puree contains no salt, sugar, starch, preservatives or dyes.

At a later age, in baby food, zucchini is used with vegetables, fruits, cereals and meat. For children over 5 months:

  • Frutonyanya Broccoli and Zucchini Puree
  • Puree Frutonyan zucchini and potatoes
  • Frutonyanya puree cauliflower and marrow
  • Puree Frutonyanya apples and zucchini
  • Frutonyanya zucchini-oatmeal puree
  • Gerber potato and courgette puree
  • Puree Gerber apples and zucchini

Children's puree Tyoma beef with zucchini is recommended to try not earlier than 6 months from birth.

Ingredients of zucchini

Zucchini is a source of substances that have a beneficial effect on digestion. They contain a small amount of calories when cooked (20 to 25 kcal per 100 grams), so you can use them in food during therapeutic diets.

Fruits contain not only carbohydrates, fats and proteins, but also useful trace elements: sodium, iron, magnesium, zinc, iodine. In addition, the composition contains vitamins of groups B, C, E, H, PP, A.

Benefits of zucchini for children and adults

Zucchini has a very pleasant taste. Doctors advise them to use those who have undergone surgery on the stomach or intestines. I would like to mention that these fruits are very useful for those who suffer from edema.

Zucchini juice for men and women can help with obesity. Helps the body to get rid of toxins and slags, relieves constipation well, strengthens the heart. The glycogen in them has a positive effect on the activity of the liver. Zucchini significantly improves blood formation, helps to restore strength after prolonged exertion. Zucchini seeds will help get rid of worms. With hepatitis, regular consumption of zucchini will lead to a significant improvement in well-being.

Thus, the use of zucchini in the first feeding is the best option for both the child and the parents (of course, excluding the case of his individual intolerance).

How to cook zucchini for weaning - tips and tricks

Contents

  • 1 Health benefits of zucchini
  • 2 How to introduce zucchini into the diet?
  • 3 How long to cook zucchini for feeding
  • 4 How to cook zucchini
  • 5 Zucchini juice for a baby
  • 6 Zucchini and continued breastfeeding
  • 7 Preparing vegetables for a child for the winter

- process it correctly. Therefore, we propose to learn how to cook zucchini for feeding and when it is better to introduce it into the baby's diet.

Health benefits of zucchini

This vegetable is a source of vitamins and minerals, in addition, it is well absorbed by the child's body and does not cause discomfort in the stomach. Let's make a reservation right away that we are talking about a single-component puree, without the addition of milk, cream or other products.

Breast milk provides a small child with everything he needs, but with age, his need for useful trace elements increases. It is known that a baby already at the age of six months needs iron and zinc, so it is best to make a zucchini dish for him.

Advice
Zucchini is one of the few foods that can also be used for early weaning. Half a spoonful of it can be given to a baby from the age of four months.

Zucchini pulp is rich in unsaturated fatty acids, B vitamins, ascorbic acid, important trace elements - iron, zinc, calcium, magnesium and others. And also the vegetable is rich in dietary fiber, pediatricians talk about the benefits of which for a small organism.

One-component and well-digestible dish does not overload the intestines, is quickly and easily digested, has a diuretic effect, removes toxins and excess moisture from the baby's body. Some children are prone to constipation, so they should be given a healthy vegetable without fail.

How to introduce marrow into the diet?

Like any other food, the vegetable is gradually introduced into the daily menu of the baby. First, offer your child half a teaspoon of zucchini puree or juice, be sure to observe the reaction of his body. Diathesis, bloating, diarrhea, vomiting, any other disorders signal that the time for complementary foods has not yet come. After 1 month, try again to give the baby zucchini puree - for sure he will eat it with pleasure and will not experience any discomfort.

Advice
After a portion of marrow, especially with regular use, the color of the feces may slightly change in the baby and the stool and urination become a little more frequent - you should not be afraid.

If the baby's body has accepted the new food normally, then the portion of the vegetable can be increased. But at 7 months, the baby should not eat more than 100 grams of puree, so try to keep breastfeeding. In rare cases, zucchini causes peeling of the skin, but such a reaction is not considered a reason to remove the vegetable from the menu.

The response of the digestive system of children is not an allergy, so parents should carefully monitor the baby and, if necessary, show it to the pediatrician.

How long to cook zucchini for feeding

Ready-made zucchini puree is sold at the grocery store, but many mothers want to make a healthy treat at home on their own. Vegetables cooked by hand are much tastier. It is important to know that the new dish should resemble breast milk or a special formula for the baby, so complementary foods must be made sweetish.

The consistency of mashed potatoes is thick, like kefir - it will be easier for a baby to eat such food, and his body will be able to digest food in a short time.

Preparing marrow squash is easy: first rinse the vegetable in cold water and peel, then rinse again under the tap. Cook the product for no more than 10 minutes, periodically checking the pulp.

Tip
Bottled baby water is best for making baby purees.

There should be little liquid in the pan, otherwise unnecessary water along with useful components will have to be drained. Some parents cook zucchini in a double boiler, in time this manipulation is longer than boiling. For steam and , the vegetable should be cooked for 15 to 20 minutes.

Zucchini should be boiled without oil, salt or sugar. Breast milk or a small amount of milk formula will add sweetness to the product, and the broth where the vegetable was located also has a pleasant taste. Occasionally, mashed potatoes are salted if the baby refuses to eat it several times in a row, but the amount of spice should be very small.

Zucchini must not only be boiled, but also mashed with a fork and rub through a sieve to eliminate dense pieces of pulp. But using a blender in this case is inconvenient, since the child needs a small portion of puree.

Principles of cooking zucchini

Many mothers recommend soaking the vegetable in cold water for about 2 hours, this rule is especially true for a product bought in a store or on the market. But if the zucchini was grown in its own garden, this is not necessary. For the first feeding, take young fruits of small sizes, pay attention to the peel - it should not have cracks.

Seeds from the pulp of the fruit should be removed, but they usually do not exist in small marrows. Such food has a light texture and does not contain large particles.

At the stage of the first feeding, it is important for parents to observe the following rules:

  • comfortable temperature of the new food;
  • absence of other ingredients in puree;
  • the gradual introduction of a vegetable into the menu.

Boil zucchini for the first feeding and give it to the baby in the morning, which will allow you to observe the reaction of the body. If symptoms of allergy or stool disorder are not noticed, then the portion can be increased the very next day. Offer a new dish to the child before taking his main meal - breast milk or special formula.

If you make puree with your own hands, carefully monitor the cleanliness of food and utensils, and it is also important to know that the food must be fresh and warm, it cannot be stored.

Tip
The maximum shelf life of homemade puree is one day. To do this, take one or two jars of baby food, pour over the container and lids with boiling water or boil. Only after that spread the puree, close, let cool slightly and refrigerate.

Zucchini should only be cooked with water, it does not mix well with cow's milk. Only breast milk or a special formula can be added to puree in order to add sweetness to complementary foods. This vegetable goes well with fruits and herbs, but you can’t mix products at the stage of introducing a child to adult food.

Discomfort in the intestines is caused by large particles of the fruit - seeds, peel, coarse fibers, so even a young zucchini is carefully ground and inspected mashed potatoes before feeding.

Zucchini juice for babies

Freshly squeezed drink is famous for its medicinal properties, has a mild diuretic effect and even increases appetite in children who are reluctant to eat. Treat your baby to zucchini juice 30 minutes before the main meal, but drink it no more than 10 minutes after preparation.

Do not forget about the correct processing of the vegetable - always wash it in cold boiled water, peel off the skin and rinse the vegetable again. Zucchini juice is especially rich in vitamin C, to begin with, offer your baby a few drops of the drink and gradually increase its volume to 3 teaspoons.

Zucchini juice normalizes the water-salt balance in the baby's body and has a beneficial effect on the heart rate, and this drink also stimulates the digestion process and does not provoke bloating. You can also treat the baby with a raw vegetable, but first the pulp should be doused with boiling water.

This method is suitable for picky children who often refuse mashed potatoes. Babies who are teething will also like this option - the pulp will act as a soft and appetizing teether.

Important
When giving a piece of zucchini to a baby, calculate the size so that the baby cannot swallow it whole. It is also important to ensure that the baby does not "bite off" a small piece - they can choke, it will not be digested well.

Zucchini and continued breastfeeding

At the first stage, the child eats zucchini puree without adding other ingredients, but later on the baby's menu can be varied. It is recommended to supplement it with the following ingredients:

  • vegetables - carrots, broccoli, beets;
  • fruits - apple, banana, pear;
  • meat - beef, chicken, rabbit.

A few months after the baby is introduced to a new food, parents add 2 drops of unrefined vegetable oil to the puree for complementary foods, olive oil is best suited for this purpose.

New vegetables should not be introduced immediately into squash puree, introduce the child to each product separately. Little by little they are combined, mixing carrots, broccoli and other ingredients into a neutral zucchini, and not vice versa. So, by the age of 1 year, the baby will eat up to 200 g of puree per day, it can be either single-component or mixed.

Pediatricians recommend during this period to add a little onion to the dish, which must be boiled in water along with the rest of the ingredients.

If the baby does not feel well or is ill, the introduction of new foods should be postponed until complete recovery. Otherwise, you risk exacerbating the existing problem with such a phenomenon as worsening stools.

Harvesting vegetables for a child for the winter

Sometimes it is necessary to introduce the first complementary foods in winter, when there are no fresh vegetables on store shelves. It is unprofitable to buy ready-made purees, since most of the purchased jar is thrown away due to the impossibility of storing the product. The best option in this case would be to pre-freeze fresh vegetables from your own garden or purchased from a trusted supplier.

Vitamins and minerals are not destroyed by rapid freezing of zucchini, so cut the vegetable into large cubes and place it in an airtight plastic container.

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