Zucchini is a vegetable loved by many people. This is not surprising, because its versatility is amazing: suitable for both baby food and daily use by adults. One of the popular recipes is zucchini puree.
general information
Before you start preparing zucchini puree for the winter, you need to choose the right ingredients. Everything is quite simple, because both young and old vegetables are suitable.However, if you are preparing zucchini puree for infants or older children, you will need to thoroughly clean the zucchini. The most convenient way to do this is with a vegetable peeler, and the seeds can simply be removed with a regular spoon.
To prepare the zucchini, you need to cut it into pieces no more than 2 cm thick. You can cut it into cubes, semicircles, circles - whatever is convenient.
Recipe one - zucchini puree for the winter
The dish is quite easy and quick to prepare. We advise you to try making zucchini puree for children - they will definitely like it. The vegetable is easily digestible and has excellent taste.
For preparation you will need:
- vegetable - 2 pieces;
- salt - to taste.
The number of servings is about 10.
Cooking process:
- Peel the zucchini and remove the seeds.
- Let's cut it.
- Place the pieces in slightly salted water. You need to cook over low heat for at least a quarter of an hour. Then let it cool.
- We prepare jars and lids for screwing and sterilize.
- Place the mixture in a blender, or you can use a food processor. You should get a homogeneous mass.
- Place the puree in jars and sterilize for 5 minutes, roll up and put in a cool place.
Preparing such zucchini for the winter is not at all difficult. Puree for babies is an excellent complementary food. You need to start with small portions, taking into account the recommendations of a specialist.
Zucchini is an easily digestible and healthy product for children. You can add cabbage, carrots or other boiled vegetables to the recipe, but watch your baby’s reaction.
Recipe two - frozen zucchini puree
People often prepare zucchini in advance and freeze it as a reserve for the winter. There is also a corresponding recipe for the winter:
- Do not defrost the product so as not to get porridge.Just add water and cook for up to 10 minutes.
- Check for doneness. Remember and rub through a sieve.
- Serve to the table!
You can cook frozen vegetables in a double boiler or slow cooker - choose the most suitable option. The cooking method does not affect the taste of the dish or the content of vitamins in the composition.
After cooking, if the dish is intended for infants, it is necessary to flavor the puree with breast milk, because freezing slightly changes the natural taste of the vegetable. Children's doctors do not recommend adding salt or adding sugar.
Recipe three - zucchini puree with apple
A very popular recipe. For preparation you will need:
- 1 apple;
- 1 young zucchini.
The cooking process is quite simple: peel the apple, cut into pieces. The zucchini is peeled and cut into half rings. After cooking (15 minutes), take out and mash the products with a blender.
Advantages of a vegetable
A unique composition that contains:
- vitamin C and B vitamins.
- many microelements: Na, Fe, P, etc.;
- soft fiber.
The vegetable has a complex effect on the child’s body:
- Vitamins have a beneficial effect on the immune system.
- Microelements saturate the blood with oxygen.
- Fiber is a mild laxative.
- Water-salt balance improves.
Tips for making delicious zucchini puree
Of course, it is recommended to grow zucchini yourself, if possible. Otherwise, it is recommended to choose fruits with pale green skin. It is not difficult to pick a young zucchini: it is characterized by a delicate skin that can be easily peeled by hand.
It is recommended to not only rinse vegetables bought in a store thoroughly, but also soak them in water for about a quarter of an hour.
It is important to remember that prolonged cooking destroys vitamin C.Parents prefer to steam or bake zucchini. If the water only slightly covers the chopped zucchini and does not boil too much, then vitamin C will remain intact. B vitamins are not destroyed by exposure to high temperatures.
Experts tell parents to try not to make food taste better, because then children will not want to eat other dishes. In fact, the question is completely different - the child lives instinctively at first, so an unfamiliar taste will be perceived as a danger, and the baby will simply spit out the puree. Before complementary feeding, it is necessary to dilute the puree with breast milk or formula.
How to make the first feeding from zucchini
For parents, this moment is the most important. Experts recommend not to rush, but to start complementary feeding with half a teaspoon in the morning. Then during the day you should monitor the child’s well-being.
Check the baby's tummy for bloating. Half a teaspoon is given on days 2 and 3. There is no need to rush during complementary feeding; increase the amount of puree gradually.
After 10-14 days, you can start giving babies a puree of two or more ingredients, for example, adding carrots, potatoes or cabbage. It is important that the child is not allergic to the products used.
It should be noted that if you take into account the above points, then preparing zucchini puree will not be difficult at all. This is a truly tasty and healthy dish that will be enjoyed by both adults and children. The puree can be rolled up for the winter or prepared from frozen vegetables - the recipes are surprising in their accessibility and ease of preparation.
