Get the recipe: Zucchini Baby Food: Puree & Baby-Led Weaning
Learn how to prepare zucchini for your baby in 5 delicious and easy ways! Zucchini make for a great puree or solid food for your baby. Great first food for babies 4-6 months and up.
Ingredients
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
Instructions
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.
Notes
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.
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