Expiration & Storage Tips
When does spiral zucchini expire?
Spiral zucchini are best consumed immediately after they are prepared. However, if properly stored, they can keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. They can also be frozen for up to three months, but their texture might change after thawing. Note that the quality degrades rapidly if left at room temperature for more than 2 hours. The use-by date on a pre-packaged product indicates how long it is to remain at its peak quality under refrigerated conditions- but it may still be safe to consume a few days beyond this if there are no signs of spoilage.
How do you tell if spiral zucchini is bad?
Zoodles will become slimy and develop spots when they start to turn bad. They will also emit a sour smell. Furthermore, mold is another dead giveaway—if you see any fuzzy spots, it's best to just toss the whole batch out to play it safe.
Tips for storing spiral zucchini to extend shelf life
• After spiralizing, dry zucchini strands with a paper towel before cooking or storing to remove excess moisture and prolong freshness.
• Keep spiral zucchini in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
• Do not wash zucchini before spiralizing or storing; it can accelerate the spoiling process.
• Freezing zoodles can extend their shelf life. Lay them flat on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze. Once completely frozen, transfer them into freezer safe bags for space-efficient storage.
• When ready to use your frozen zoodles, you do not need to thaw them out. Just add them directly to your pan or pot from the freezer.