Summertime, and zucchini is everywhere. Has your garden given you more zucchini than you know what to do with? Here’s an idea that sounds a little crazy, but it’s a real thing: Make zucchini milk. Yes, you can puree your zucchini to make a milky substance that is a great dairy-free substitute for milk in many recipes.
We came across this idea when our mom mentioned it in an offhanded way as something a friend of hers used to do. Mom!?! How can you keep information like this from us for so long?! Here’s how it works: All you have to do is peel the zucchini (this part is optional too, but we peeled it to keep the puree a nice light color) and whirl it around in the food processor. It will take a few minutes to liquefy, so you have to be patient as it goes from shredded zucchini, to pulp, to something closer to a liquid. We found that two average-sized zucchini made about one cup of milk.
Although it can be used as a milk substitute, it is definitely thicker than regular milk – and the thickness may vary depending on how watery your zucchini is – so the recipe substitutions are not an exact science. But in general you can use it as a milk substitute for baked goods like quick breads, muffins, and pancakes. If you’re willing to be a little patient and do some taste-testing here and there, you’ll be glad you made the effort. Plus, it freezes well, so you can save a few cups for mid-winter when you’re looking for a reminder of summer.
What did we do with our zucchini milk? We made some super-summery peach pancakes that were very moist and — even better for the kids at least — had no vegetable aftertaste.
Note that while this recipe isn’t specifically vegan, you could use it in a variety of different baked goods recipes that you want to vegan-ize.
Have you ever made zucchini milk before? If so, let us know in the comments (and tell us how you used it!).
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Hmmmm….at first I thought you were going to puverize it and then drain the liquid to use as the milk, but really you are using the whole veg (sans skins) and pureeing it to a homogenized form. Smart! Gonna try it!
Thanks! You have to keep pulverizing until it really liquefies!
Too much zucchini? This is to remind you of your grandmother’s old joke about a close-knit little community in rural Maine. Nobody ever bothered to lock their cars at night—except during August. If you left your car unlocked during August, you’d find it filled with zucchini in the morning.
Love,
Dad
LOL! More milk for everyone!
Jeanne, this is SO COOL! I’ve never heard of it and will definitely try it in all sorts of baked goods! I bet it’s so good in these pancakes, too. 😀
Thanks, Valentina! I can’t believe my mom mever mentioned this before! : )
I never thought of using veggies as milk, very cool!
I know, crazy, right? Thanks for stopping by, Ashley!
Hi. I’m a 67 yr old woman who started organic gardening during the hippy years in BC. Zucchini milk was a regular occurring fall staple. We blended dozens of quarts and used it for baking all winter. Cheap on the food budget and very easy to use. Glad someone renewed the idea !
Ani
This is amazing! Thank you so much for stopping by and letting me know!
I started using zucchini milk back in the 70’s. I was putting an x- husband through college finances were tough. I substituted 1/2 the liquid in my basic bread recipe. It made bread was so moist. This is the first year of my retirement so I grew zucchini and am now peeling, blending and freezing as much as I can. I am going to make cinnamon rolls next. Loved this in the 70’s and just as good now.
Love it! Thanks so much for letting me know! Cheers, Jeanne
I’m looking for alternative homemade milk to use in lattes, but as much as I love zucchini, I’m not sure how this could be made to work for that haha. Unless it was made into a mocha maybe, but I already drink so many mochas. Coffee and zucchini just seems a stretch. But this would be great for other things!
Hi Felicity: I haven’t tried it in a latte, but…give it a try in some baked goods. You might be surprised!
Thanks for stopping by! Jeanne