Are you getting to the point where you’re starting to have a little too much zucchini on hand? If you’re not there yet, you probably will be soon…
If you’re a gardener, maybe you’ve already dropped off a bag (or two) at a neighbor’s house…or maybe you’ve been the recipient of a bag or two from a neighbor who gardens. Or maybe you heard the doorbell ring early one random evening only to get to the front door and find a gigantic bag of zucchini looking up at you, which might as well have sprouted legs and walked there itself because there wasn’t a trace of anyone in sight. (True story.)
There are definitely worse things than fly-by-night zucchini drive-bys though.
One of my favorite things to make when zucchini season rolls around is Middle Eastern Stuffed Zucchini or Kousa Mahshi. I also love what I call Zucchini Coins because my mom made them all the time growing up (zucchini coins can be found here). Zucchini bread is my absolute favorite of all the quick breads (which is weird because I have recipes for pumpkin and cheese spice bread and the best banana bread, but no zucchini bread on the blog!).
But I’m always looking for new zucchini ideas, and one day this one came to me after I had made Kousa Mahshi for dinner and was wondering what to do with all the zucchini pulp.
Although it doesn’t taste exactly like applesauce, the taste is quite similar and the consistency is spot-on. I think you might even be able to fool certain family members if there are those who claim not to like zucchini!
- 1 medium (200 g) zucchini, peeled and chopped
- 1-2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup (more or less to taste)
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- 1 pinch (1/16 teaspoon) sea salt
- The night before you want to make this (or up to 3 days in advance), add the peeled and chopped zucchini to a food processor and process until it forms a chunky paste (see photo below). Cover the zucchini and store it in the fridge until you’re ready to make the “applesauce” so the juices seep out.
- Transfer the zucchini (with the liquid that has seeped out) and all other ingredients to a small saucepan.
- Bring to a boil over medium heat, then turn heat down to low and simmer (uncovered) until the zucchini is tender and the juices are mostly evaporated, about 15 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Serve however you like your applesauce – hot, warm, or cold.
Process the zucchini in a food processor until it forms a paste like what is shown in the photo above.
I’m Faith Gorsky, the writer, cook, and photographer behind An Edible Mosaic. My goal is to inspire you to get in the kitchen and try something new! Feel free to 
deana says
August 7, 2013 at 6:30 amI used to have these gigantic zucchini as I was a weekend gardner — zucchinis grew madly when I was gone during the week. I hated the idea of tossing them but eating them regularly was out.. the skin was tough and the interior had lost its tender texture.
I would bake it like a pumpkin (split in half) and puree it.
Then I made zucchini pie just like pumpkin or added it to minestrone. It worked well and I no longer felt bad about throwing them away.
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar says
August 7, 2013 at 6:43 amThis is soooo unique! Love this idea!
Alyssa (Everyday Maven) says
August 7, 2013 at 1:56 pmWhat an interesting way to use up Zucchini Faith!! so creative :)
Thatgaljill says
August 7, 2013 at 11:50 pmI’m totally testing this out sweetened with Stevia!
Ash- foodfashionparty says
August 8, 2013 at 10:35 amYummy, a nice way to have Zucchini.
Blond Duck says
August 8, 2013 at 7:08 pmSounds wonderful!
Heidi @ Food Doodles says
August 8, 2013 at 8:05 pmI love this idea! I gotta try this next time I go out to the garden to pick zucchini since there’s a ton every time I go out!
Lauren says
August 8, 2013 at 8:10 pmWhat a neat idea! I’m a fan of throwing zucchini in smoothies, so this is right up my alley! I am loving everyone’s creative ways at getting more vegetables in our diets. Thanks for sharing!
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
August 9, 2013 at 12:11 amThis looks exactly like applesauce, I’m impressed!
Veronica says
August 9, 2013 at 1:29 amBrilliant! And I love your plaid spoon. :)
grace says
August 9, 2013 at 2:36 pmthis is quite clever, and i can see how it’d work–i once made an ‘apple’ pie with zucchini and only the really shrewd eaters realized it. :)
Kim says
February 17, 2014 at 4:23 pmI’ve mixed chopped zucchini and apples to make APPLE CRISP. (well sort of anyways) I make sure to remove the seeds from zucchini so the kids and picky eaters won’t know. Add enough cinnamon to disguise it.
Alicia says
August 28, 2014 at 12:43 pmThis sounds wonderful! I’m definitely going to try this. I am wondering if this could be preserved like I do my regular applesauce? Thanks
Faith says
August 29, 2014 at 6:41 amAlicia, Thanks so much, I’m happy you want to try this recipe! It’s delicious and a fun use for zucchini. The pressure canning method may work to preserve it, but I can’t say for sure because I haven’t tried it. I did freeze some of this and found that it fared well (I just thawed it at room temperature when I was ready to use it). Please let me know how it goes if you decide to can it!
Wanda says
August 20, 2015 at 2:29 pmI liked this recipe. My sauce ended up too thin (didn’t take time to drain it overnight.)Now I’m cooking it down to make zucchini butter, will can it. So glad I found your recipe!