Zucchini For Baby Led Weaning With Recipes

When can babies eat zucchini?

It can be offered to babies as soon as they’re ready to start solids, usually around 6 months. It’s important to remember that your baby is unique and that rather than going by the calendar, you need to make sure your baby is DEVELOPMENTALLY ready to start solids. If you’re unsure, be sure to grab my FREE handout!

Health Benefits

Fun fact – while it is referred to as a vegetable, it is technically a fruit. It is a great source of vitamin B6, which supports brain development and function, and vitamin C, which helps enhance the absorption of iron. It contains smaller amounts of vitamin A, folate, magnesium, and potassium. Best iron rich foods for babies

Selecting the best zucchini

While it is available all year round in most grocery stories, you will find the best zucchini in the summer. Look for shiny skin that is free of bruises, blemishes, and soft spots. The skin should be firm, particularly at the stem. It should also feel heavy for its size.

Top Cooking Methods

Steam

Place water in a pot, add steamer basket, and bring to a boil. Add zucchini, cover, reduce heat to medium, and cook for 8-10 minutes. It should be easily pierce-able with a fork. I personally don’t recommend roasting for this age as the exterior of the vegetable can get too crispy or even burnt before it softens. You can boil, but I don’t recommend it as most of the nutrients will leach into the water. In regards to size, cut into big spears. Once cooked, you can cut into smaller pieces depending on your baby’s age. This way you can serve both big and small pieces as suggested below.

Steam roast

This method is my personal favorite! You can learn more about steam roasting as well as cooking times for ALL other vegetables. Add zucchini to a baking pan, toss with oil and seasoning(s) of choice, COVER, and roast at 425°F for 10-15 minutes! Perfectly soft and flavorful! Herbs and Spices for Baby Food

Sauteed

I don’t recommend doing this with spears as they won’t get soft enough. Slice into thin rounds and cook in a skillet with oil and seasoning(s) until soft. This is great for 9+ month olds.

Zucchini for Baby Led Weaning

6+ months old

How to start baby led weaning Mashed – Whether you are advancing in texture after doing purees or starting with baby led weaning, this is such an easy and versatile way to serve zucchini to your baby. Finely grated You can add mashed or finely grated zucchini to (so many options!)

Homemade baby oatmealBaked Quinoa – a great alternative to oatmealLentilsChia PuddingOvernight oats/quinoaToastYogurtVegetable omelette

6-9 months old

Bigger is better and safer at this age so your baby can easily grab the food with their palm and bring to mouth. Big spears are perfect! Again, the zucchini should easily smoosh between your thumb and forefinger.

9+ months old

15+ Months old:

Depending on your child’s chewing abilities (and your comfort level), you can start to offer raw zucchini. It is a great skill that will help your child to slow down and take bites rather than shovel, which is what my son did for the longest time because I always cut his food into small pieces. You can also offer raw grated zucchini by itself rather than folding into foods. I highly recommend using different cookie cutters (I LOVE these). They played a tremendous part in getting both of my kids interested in raw vegetables. How to introduce raw vegetables If you want to learn how to prepare other specific food(s), check out my How To Series!

Baby-friendly zucchini recipes to try

Whether you have an abundance of zucchini or want to incorporate more variety into your child’s diet, try these recipes! You can also freeze fresh zucchini.