Zucchini baby food puree recipe
Zucchini Baby Puree - Healthy Little Foodies
All Posts, by Date » Baby Friendly Recipes » Puree Recipes » Zucchini Puree
Jump to Recipe Print 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
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
- 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 Baby Food Puree Recipe with Apples
By Anjali Shah on · Last Updated on
This post may contain affiliate links.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure.
This zucchini baby food puree with apples and carrots is a delicious combination your baby will enjoy! Zucchini and carrots are on the sweeter side in the vegetable category, and when paired with apples it becomes a healthy sweet treat for your little one!
Veggies mixed with fruit is always bound to be a hit in our household. Zucchini and carrots have a mild flavor and are already on the sweeter side. When paired with apples, it becomes a true sweet treat!
Latest Recipe Video!
I often used to mix this creamy puree with my kids’ oatmeal in the morning and they loved it! This zucchini puree is a simple baby food recipe you can use in a variety of ways — it’s super customizable based on your baby’s needs and preferences (see below for additional recipe variations).
This zucchini baby food recipe is a great first food for your little one. It’s nutritious, delicious, and I guarantee you will have one happy baby after giving them this puree!
Why This Recipe Works
- A naturally sweet vegetable and fruit puree
- Rich in vitamins and minerals for baby’s diet
- Simple and quick to prepare
- No fancy equipment needed
- Easy to store and freeze
- Great for babies 6 months of age and up
- Makes 16 servings!
How to Make Zucchini Baby Food
Ingredients and Notes
Organic Zucchini: When making your own homemade baby food recipes, I highly recommend using organic produce to reduce pesticide exposure for your baby.
No matter how much you wash your fruits and vegetables, there will still be a pesticide residue. When choosing your zucchini look for ones that are bright green in color, and have no bruises, or blemishes. I prefer to use the smaller, skinnier zucchini for baby food because they have fewer seeds in the center. You could probably also make this recipe with yellow squash or summer squash if you don’t have zucchini.
Organic Carrots: You can use either use large carrots or baby carrots for this recipe.
Organic Fuji Apples: With a sweet and crisp flavor, Fuji apples are pink in color, and have a white flesh. They are excellent for baby food recipes as they easily cook down, and add natural sweetness to any baby food puree.
Water: You need 12 ounces of water to help the fruits and vegetables to cook down, so that they can be pureed into a smooth and easy to consume consistency.
Equipment Needed
- A good Cutting Board and Knife
- A quality large pot.
- A high-speed blender or food processor to puree the sweet potato. You don’t need a baby food maker!
- Mumi & Bubi Trays for storing.
Step by Step Instructions
Prep Your Ingredients: Wash all the produce. Cut zucchini in half lengthwise and cut each half into 8 pieces. Peel carrots. Cut in half lengthwise and cut each half into 8 pieces. Cut apples in half, remove seeds and stem. Cut each half into 8 pieces.
Cook All Produce Together: Add carrots and water to a large pot. Turn on high and cook 8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add zucchini and apples and cook another 3-5 minutes.
Puree Until Smooth: Pour everything into a blender. Blend until smooth / until the pureed zucchini is the desired consistency.
Store, Serve and/or Freeze: Pour into ice cube trays, allow to cool, wrap/cover, and freeze. Serve at room temperature.
Note: Thaw in the fridge the night before use, or thaw by putting the small cubes in a bowl over a bowl of hot water on the counter to defrost.
Recipe FAQs
When can babies eat zucchini?
Babies can enjoy zucchini as young as 6 months old when they begin to try other solid foods.
Is zucchini healthy for babies?
Yes! Zucchini packed with health benefits and is has a ton of nutritional value for your baby. It’s an excellent source of beta-carotene which your babies body converts to vitamin A. This helps support their immune system, and improve eyesight. It’s also a great source of vitamin C. Vitamin C is important for baby because it helps your child absorb iron. Babies tend to lose iron at around 5 months old, so consuming foods that are high in iron and vitamin C helps them retain their needed iron intake. It also contains vitamin B6 which is essential for brain development.
How do I steam zucchini for baby?
The best way to steam zucchini is to first dice zucchini into small chunks.
Place in a large pot, and cover with water. Bring to a boil. Allow to simmer for 8-10 minutes or until zucchini is soft. Then transfer to a blender or food process and blend until it forms a smooth puree.
Can babies eat raw zucchini?
No, do not give your baby raw zucchini. They cannot mash it with their gums, and the small pieces can be a choking hazard.
Can babies eat zucchini seeds?
It is fine for baby to eat zucchini seeds when they are pureed with the rest of the zucchini.
Variations and Substitutions
- Add More Vegetables: Amp up the nutritional content by adding more vegetables like spinach. Or mix it with another purée like pea purée.
- Change the Fruit: Use a different type of apple in this delicious puree, or add another fruit such as pear.
- Spice it Up: Add a teaspoon of cinnamon for added flavor.
- Add Breast Milk or Formula: Stir in breast milk or organic baby formula to thin out the consistency of the puree right before serving. Do not add breastmilk or formula before freezing the puree as formula is not meant to be frozen, and breastmilk has a different shelf life in the freezer compared to this zucchini baby food.
- Make it a single-ingredient puree: If you don’t have carrots or apples on hand, no problem! You can make this zucchini baby puree all on its own! Just add the zucchini and a few tablespoons of water to a pot, boil and then puree in a blender.
- Make baby finger foods: For older babies, or babies who are following baby led weaning, you can cut the zucchini into match-sized sticks, and roast them in the oven with a little bit of olive oil. They turn into zucchini “fries” and are a great way for your baby to experiment with gumming soft foods when they’re ready for it.
Expert Tips for Making Zucchini Baby Food
- Store zucchini in a paper bag in the fridge to keep fresh.
- If you don’t want to boil everything in a pot, you can also use a steamer basket or slow cooker to cook down the vegetables and fruit.
- Cut the vegetables and fruit into small pieces to help them cook down more quickly.
- If you plan to use this entire batch of zucchini baby food within 1 week, you can transfer the entire puree into one airtight container and place it in the fridge. Then, just scoop out individual servings when you’re ready to feed your baby.
More Easy Homemade Baby Food Recipes!
- 10 Easy Baby Food Recipes for Beginners
- Zucchini and Apple Puree
- Butternut Squash Puree
- Pea Puree
- Superfoods for Babies and Recipe Ideas
If you have tried this Zucchini Baby Food Puree, or any other recipe on my blog, then please rate it and let me know how it turned out in the comments below! Then, FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM, and PINTEREST to see more delicious, healthy, family-friendly food!
Print Recipe5 from 10 votes
Zucchini Baby Food Puree with Carrots and Apples
Veggies mixed with fruit is always bound to be a hit in our household.
Zucchini and carrots are already pretty mild / on the sweeter side, so when paired with some apples, it becomes a true sweet treat!
Prep Time10 mins
Cook Time20 mins
Total Time30 mins
Course: Baby Food
Cuisine: American
Servings: 16 ounces
Calories: 22kcal
Author: Anjali Shah
- ▢ 1 pound organic zucchini
- ▢ ½ pound organic carrots
- ▢ 2 organic fuji apples 6oz each
- ▢ 12 oz water
- ▢
Wash all the produce. Cut zucchini in half lengthwise and cut each half into 8 pieces.
- ▢
Peel carrots. Cut in half lengthwise and cut each half into 8 pieces.
- ▢
Cut apples in half, remove seeds and stem. Cut each half into 8 pieces.
- ▢
Add carrots and water into a large pot. Turn on high and cook 8 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- ▢
Add zucchini and apples and cook another 3-5 minutes.
- ▢
Pour everything into a blender, puree until smooth.
- ▢
Pour into ice cube trays, allow to cool, wrap/cover, and freeze.
- ▢
Thaw in the fridge the night before use, or thaw by putting the ice cube in a bowl over a bowl of hot water on the counter to defrost.
https://youtu.be/9o6hzUKpZrAVideo can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: Zucchini Baby Food Puree (https://youtu.be/9o6hzUKpZrA)
Expert Tips
- Store zucchini in a paper bag in the fridge to keep fresh.
- If you don’t want to boil everything in a pot, you can also use a steamer basket or slow cooker to cook down the vegetables and fruit.
- Cut the vegetables and fruit into small pieces to help them cook down more quickly.
- If you plan to use this entire batch of zucchini baby food within 1 week, you can transfer the entire puree into one airtight container and place it in the fridge. Then, just scoop out individual servings when you’re ready to feed your baby.
- 1 ice cube = 1 oz of food
Adapted from BabyLove
Calories: 22kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 13mg | Potassium: 144mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 2437IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 1mg
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 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).
Zucchini Puree Encyclopedia Baby Food
Recipes (4) 6-7 Months Gluten Free Flour Free Meat Free Sugar Free Egg Free Boil Low Calorie Lunch Vegetables First Food Snack Cooked Puree Dinner
1 Comment
Levchuk Viktoriya©
Simple and easy vegetable puree recipes will quickly fall in love with a child, and mothers will love the lightness and simplicity of vegetable recipes.
If vegetables are chosen as the first food, then most parents and pediatricians give their preference to zucchini. This vegetable is easy to cook at home and almost never causes an allergic reaction. Zucchini is mild in taste and smell, it almost does not change the taste of food when combined with another product.
Almost all the nutrients are contained in the peel, but it must be borne in mind that the zucchini loves to absorb everything bad from the environment, so if it is chosen as the first complementary food, this product must be peeled, cut into cubes and soaked for a couple of hours, if zucchini is not from the home garden.
As always, we follow the rule of “waiting 4-7 days”, we monitor the reaction of the baby. If the zucchini is well received by the baby's small tummy, then you can try to boil the zucchini with the peel.
Vegetable oil is added drop by drop after 3-4 days of eating the first complementary food. After the child has taken the first complementary foods normally, you can add 1 drop of vegetable oil to the next preparation of vegetable puree, the next day 2 drops of vegetable oil, etc. adding 5 drops. We also monitor the child's reaction to vegetable oil, especially the baby's stool, it can weaken.
Baby prescription suitable for baby age 6-7 months, as the first type of complementary food.
Introduced complementary foods: Zucchini.
puree from zucchini
| Print a recipe |
| Portions | Preparation time |
| 0135 |
Ingredients
- 1 Average zucchini
Portations: Portion
Instructions
Bake in the oven
-
Cut the zucchini with praise, remove the seeds.
