How to make zucchini for baby food

Zucchini Baby Puree - Healthy Little Foodies

All Posts, by Date » Baby Friendly Recipes » Puree Recipes » Zucchini Puree

By: AmyPosted: Jan 16, 2022Updated: Feb 7, 2022

Jump to Recipe

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

WASH & SLICE: Wash, top and tail the zucchini. Cut zucchini in half lengthwise and then slice.
STEAM: Steam for around 8-10 minutes or until soft and tender.
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

Looking for more healthy kid recipes?Sign up for my free recipe newsletter to get new family friendly recipes in your inbox each week! Find me sharing more kid-friendly inspiration on Pinterest and Instagram.

5 from 1 vote

Author: Amy

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.

Course:Baby Food

Cuisine:Puree

Did you make this recipe?Tag me on Instagram at @healthylittlefoodies or leave me a comment & rating below.

References

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

How to raise a Healthy Little Foodie

Receive family friendly recipes, delivered weekly to your inbox, for FREE! And receive this FREE ebook - "How to Raise a Healthy Little Foodie"

Reader Interactions

Zucchini for Baby Led Weaning (with Recipes)

By Min On April 18, 2022, Updated April 28, 2022

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy for more details.

Share or Save It for Later!

Jump to Recipe

Zucchini, also known as courgette, is a versatile and healthy vegetable for babies. Here is everything you need to know to serve it in a way that is safe and delicious.

Jump to:

When can babies eat zucchini?
Health Benefits
Selecting the best zucchini
Top Cooking Methods
Zucchini for Baby Led Weaning
Frequently Asked Questions
Baby-friendly zucchini recipes to try
Breakfast/Snack
How to Cook Zucchini for Babbies

When can babies eat zucchini?

It can be offered to babies as soon as they’re ready to start solids, usually around 6 months. It’s important to remember that your baby is unique and that rather than going by the calendar, you need to make sure your baby is DEVELOPMENTALLY ready to start solids.

If you’re unsure, be sure to grab my FREE handout!

Health Benefits

Fun fact - while it is referred to as a vegetable, it is technically a fruit. It is a great source of vitamin B6, which supports brain development and function, and vitamin C, which helps enhance the absorption of iron.

It contains smaller amounts of vitamin A, folate, magnesium, and potassium.

Best iron rich foods for babies

Selecting the best zucchini

While it is available all year round in most grocery stories, you will find the best zucchini in the summer.

Look for shiny skin that is free of bruises, blemishes, and soft spots. The skin should be firm, particularly at the stem. It should also feel heavy for its size.

Top Cooking Methods

Here are the three best cooking methods for babies. It's VERY important that the flesh is cooked until soft enough to be easily smooshed between thumb and forefinger.

I personally don't recommend roasting for this age as the exterior of the vegetable can get too crispy or even burnt before it softens. You can boil, but I don't recommend it as most of the nutrients will leach into the water.

In regards to size, cut into big spears. Once cooked, you can cut into smaller pieces depending on your baby's age. This way you can serve both big and small pieces as suggested below.

Steam

Place water in a pot, add steamer basket, and bring to a boil. Add zucchini, cover, reduce heat to medium, and cook for 8-10 minutes. It should be easily pierce-able with a fork.

Steam roast

This method is my personal favorite! You can learn more about steam roasting as well as cooking times for ALL other vegetables.

Add zucchini to a baking pan, toss with oil and seasoning(s) of choice, COVER, and roast at 425°F for 10-15 minutes! Perfectly soft and flavorful!

Herbs and Spices for Baby Food

Sauteed

I don't recommend doing this with spears as they won't get soft enough. Slice into thin rounds and cook in a skillet with oil and seasoning(s) until soft. This is great for 9+ month olds.

Zucchini for Baby Led Weaning

6+ months old

Pureed - Add cooked zucchini into a blender and blend until smooth. Add breastmilk/formula, water, or even broth to thin out to desired consistency.

Mashed - Whether you are advancing in texture after doing purees or starting with baby led weaning, this is such an easy and versatile way to serve zucchini to your baby.

Finely grated

You can add mashed or finely grated zucchini to (so many options!)

Homemade baby oatmeal
Baked Quinoa - a great alternative to oatmeal
Lentils
Chia Pudding
Overnight oats/quinoa
Toast
Yogurt
Vegetable omelette

How to start baby led weaning

6-9 months old

Bigger is better and safer at this age so your baby can easily grab the food with their palm and bring to mouth.

Big spears are perfect! Again, the zucchini should easily smoosh between your thumb and forefinger.

9+ months old

As your baby develops their pincer grasp and is able to pick up small pieces of food using their thumb and finger, you can cut into small, bite-sized pieces. I still suggest continuing to offer larger pieces so they can practice taking bites.

It is a great skill that will help your child to slow down and take bites rather than shovel, which is what my son did for the longest time because I always cut his food into small pieces.

You can also offer raw grated zucchini by itself rather than folding into foods.

15+ Months old:

Depending on your child's chewing abilities (and your comfort level), you can start to offer raw zucchini.

I highly recommend using different cookie cutters (I LOVE these). They played a tremendous part in getting both of my kids interested in raw vegetables.

How to introduce raw vegetables

Frequently Asked Questions

Is zucchini safe for babies?

As long as it is offered in an appropriate size and texture as I have shown here, it is safe. It is also not a common allergen.

Do I have to peel zucchini for baby food?

It is not necessary as your baby will be able to gnaw/suck the soft flesh away from the skin. Most likely they will spit out the skin.

Can babies eat raw zucchini?

Only if it's grated. It is best to hold off on offering larger pieces until your baby has had more practice with chewing.

What is the best way to store cooked zucchini?

Transfer to an airtight container and keep in the fridge for up to 5 days. Since they're very soft in texture, I don't recommend freezing them. If you have a lot of leftovers and want to invite more variety, add them to the recipes I suggest below!

What is the best way to reheat?

I suggest reheating very briefly in the microwave. Otherwise, the zucchini will get too mushy. I like to serve straight from the fridge or allow to come to room temperature.

What is the difference between zucchini and yellow squash?

Zucchini has dark green skin and is straight in shape while yellow squash is rich yellow and has a wide bottom and narrow top. Yellow squash also contains more seeds.

They are both part of the summer squash family (and cousins of winter squash) and have a mild flavor. Prepare yellow squash the same as zucchini as I have shown you here. You can also use them interchangeably in recipes.

If you want to learn how to prepare other specific food(s), check out my How To Series!

Baby-friendly zucchini recipes to try

Whether you have an abundance of zucchini or want to incorporate more variety into your child's diet, try these recipes! You can also freeze fresh zucchini.

Breakfast/Snack

Did you make this recipe? Leave a rating below and let me know how you liked the recipe! Your feedback means so much to me!

How to Cook Zucchini for Babbies

Zucchini, also known as courgette, is a versatile and healthy vegetable for babies. Here is everything you need to know to serve it in a way that is safe and delicious.

5 from 2 votes

Print Pin

Prep Time: 3 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 13 minutes

Servings: 4

Author: Min | MJ and Hungryman

▢
Steamer
▢
Baking Mat
▢
Baking Mat for Toaster Oven

▢ 1 medium zucchini, sliced into spears
▢ Oil for steam roasting or sauteeing
▢ Seasoning(s) of choice

Steam

Place water in a pot, add steamer basket, and bring to a boil. Add zuccchini, cover, reduce heat to medium, and cook for 8-10 minutes, until easily pierce-able with a fork.

Steam roast

Add zucchini to a baking pan, toss with oil and seasoning(s) of choice. It's ok if they overlap a little bit. It will create more steam resulting in softer zucchini.
COVER with baking mat, and roast at 425°F for 10-15 minutes, until fork tender.

Saute

Recommended for 9+ month olds. Slice into thin rounds instead of spears. Heat oil or butter in a skillet over medium high heat. Add the slices, stir in seasoning(s) of choice.
Cook several minutes until tender, flip so they cook evenly. You can also add a splash of water and cover to speed up the process.

It is not necessary as your baby will be able to gnaw/suck the soft flesh away from the skin. Most likely they will spit out the skin.
Transfer to an airtight container and keep in the fridge for up to 5 days. Since they're very soft in texture, I don't recommend freezing them.

Calories: 8kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Tag me @KidFriendly.Meals today!

More How to Series

Share or Save It for Later!

Share: [addtoany]

About Min

Thank you so much for stopping by! I am Min, a Registered Dietitian, a Christ follower, a wife, and a mom to our two miracle babies! Currently, I’m having a ton of fun feeding their tummies and sharing our baby led weaning journey! Follow me on Instagram if interested in seeing daily menu as well as tips and tricks.

Reader Interactions

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.

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 first feeding

If you decide to start feeding 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).

For the preparation of mashed potatoes, babies need to select 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. The 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).

Squash puree for the first feeding recipe

There are not so many products in the menu of babies up to a year that do not cause allergies. Such a dish is squash puree for the first feeding , the recipe of which is simple and allows you to combine it with other vegetables.

Benefits

Babies should first be given squash puree at 4 months of age. The vegetable product is easily digestible and is not an allergen. Zucchini is a healthy vegetable because it contains a number of nutrients necessary for the growth and development of the child. This vegetable product helps to eliminate any allergic reactions caused by other vegetables or fruits. Potassium and sodium contained in zucchini have a positive effect on the immune and nervous system of the crumbs.

The main benefit of the vegetable is the presence of vitamin C in it, which helps protect the baby from colds. Zucchini puree is an excellent remedy for constipation, its intake normalizes digestion, eliminates colic. Zucchini is a light food that does not overload the stomach. The benefits of pectins are excellent absorption and removal of excess fluid from the body.

Despite the variety of zucchini varieties, a white-fruited variety is better for the first baby. And since the children's diet excludes the use of salt and sugar, these components should not be added to zucchini puree - it itself has a pleasant sweetish taste.

Recommended servings

The first complementary foods for babies are best done in the form of serving vegetable puree. If the mother gave fruit mixtures as the main dish, which have a richer and sweeter taste, then the child may not accept vegetable puree.

First squash food should not exceed ½ tsp. It is better to give zucchini puree in the morning to monitor the baby's health after introducing a new vegetable into the diet.

Increase the amount of squash complementary foods if the child has tolerated zucchini well. The portion should eventually be 100 g. Gradually, you can combine zucchini with other vegetables, but the introduction of such dishes into the children's diet requires maintaining an interval of 5-7 days.

Preparation of puree for the winter

In the autumn-winter season, ready-made squash puree can be bought in the store, but often such products can contain bacteria as a result of long storage and transportation. In order for the child to receive healthy food, for the winter it is recommended to independently prepare a valuable vegetable - zucchini. It should be washed, cleaned, seeds removed from the inside. Cut the vegetable into medium cubes, put in a bag and freeze.

To prevent the cubes from being compressed into one lump, the best option is to make a blank in bags with the calculation for one serving. Quickly frozen homemade vegetable cubes will not lose their beneficial properties. When you need to make mashed potatoes for the first time, they are taken from the freezer and steamed.

How to make zucchini puree?

You can cook zucchini in different ways: for this, a double boiler, multicooker is used. How to make zucchini puree for babies? Dishes should not contain spices, fat.

A serving of ⅓ or ¼ of a vegetable is suitable for a baby. To make food easily digested, young children are served on the first course of zucchini, chopped with a blender. After the baby's teeth erupt (this happens for about 8-11 months), it will be enough to knead the boiled healthy zucchini with a fork.

Baby food preparation process

Zucchini must be thoroughly washed, peeled, seeds removed. Cut into small cubes and boil in boiling water. When ready, remove from the pan, bring to a mushy state. To make zucchini puree liquid, it is diluted with breast milk. Lure of zucchini should be medium portions, you can cook the dish in boiling water. The liquid should just barely cover the vegetable cubes.

Zucchini is good not only as a first food, where it is served in chopped form without extraneous vegetables. It can also be used to make another equally delicious homemade dish. A baby can use cream soup, vegetable stew, caviar, pancakes, ketchup for porridge.

Cooking zucchini for a child for a couple

Before cooking zucchini in a slow cooker, it is pre-soaked for 2 hours in cold water with the addition of salt. For the first feeding for babies, it is recommended to choose young varieties of small size. Shop zucchini are selected primarily for their appearance. They must be free of obvious defects. A slow cooker or a double boiler will help to save most of the beneficial vitamins in zucchini.

To cook a vegetable in a double boiler, it will need to be peeled and the seeds removed. Cut into cubes, cook no more than 10 minutes. If kitchen appliances are not available, a zucchini dish can be cooked in a standard way, in a saucepan. To do this, the container is filled with water by ¼ part. The vegetable is washed, cut and thrown back on a sieve. To cook quickly, the pan must be covered with a lid.

In a slow cooker, zucchini can be cooked in this way: wash the vegetable, remove the seeds, cut into cubes, steam. For cooking, use the “cooking” or “stewing” mode, cook mashed potatoes for 20 minutes. When serving, zucchini is brought to a state of puree.