Looking for the best ways to serve zucchini or summer squash to babies? Here everything you need to know about safely serving zucchini for baby led weaning, including how to cut it, cooking methods, and delicious recipe suggestions!
Zucchini is delicious and abundant in the summer here in the US. (It can also be called courgette, Italian squash, or summer squash.) If you're lucky enough to have a garden with a fresh supply of zucchini, you'll probably need help serving it all to your family in a baby led weaning-friendly way. Even if you don't have a huge zucchini supply, this veggie is a nutritious food you'll want your baby to try! Here's all you need to know about serving zucchini safely to babies using baby led weaning.
Tip: These guidelines also apply to yellow summer squash, so you can feel free to interchange it for zucchini here!
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When Can Babies Have Zucchini?
Babies can eat zucchini as soon as they are developmentally ready for solids, around 6 months of age, using a baby led weaning approach. Raw zucchini is a little too tough, so it must be cooked to a soft texture and be cut in an appropriate shape for babies using BLW or self-feeding.
Is Zucchini Healthy For Babies?
Zucchini is great for babies! It is high in vitamin A, which is good for baby's eyes and immune system. It also contains fiber and water, which is good for baby's digestion, and other nutrients, including vitamins C and K, manganese, potassium, and folate. Cooked zucchini is actually higher in Vitamin A than raw, though it is lower in vitamin C. Zucchini is also a good source of antioxidants, especially carotenoids — such as lutein, zeaxanthin, and beta-carotene - which are good for eyes, skin, and heart, and may even protect against certain types of cancer.
How To Cut Zucchini For Baby Led Weaning
For younger babies just starting BLW, cut cooked zucchini into bigger pieces so that baby can easily grip them and bring them to their mouths. For a little more experienced eaters with a pincer grasp (or working on it), half moons or small bite sized pieces are appropriate.
1. Finger-length spears or sticks (6+ months)
Zucchini can be cut into long spears or thinner sticks the length of your finger for little ones just starting out for easier gripping. Make sure they are cooked soft (you should be able to smush them between your index finger and thumb). You can leave the skin on or peel it off. Several ideas for cooking are below!
2. Thin half moons (8+ months)
Cut zucchini into half moons (or half circles) that are about ¼ inch thick and sauté, bake, or add to soups or stir fries. Just make sure they're cooked to a soft texture. This shape may be a little more difficult for younger babies still using a palmar grasp, but they can still practice. Once babies begin to try using individual fingers to pick up pieces, this shape is appropriate.
3. Bite-sized pieces (9+ months)
For babies with a decent pincer grasp, you can cut cooked zucchini into small bite-sized pieces, about the size of your fingernail.
4. Grated raw (9+ months)
The only way raw zucchini should be offered to babies is grated into fine pieces. They may not actually get much in their mouths, but it's good practice! To be honest, this is probably not a very enjoyable way for babies to experience zucchini (would you want to eat it this way?), but it is an option. Grated zucchini can also be stirred into other soft scoopable foods, like oatmeal (try my zucchini bread oatmeal!) or mashed potatoes.
Ways To Cook Zucchini For Baby Led Weaning
Zucchini should always be cooked to a soft texture that you are able to squish between your index finger and thumb. If you accidentally char the outside or let it get crispy, just cut that part off and leave the soft portion for baby to eat. Here are some ways to cook zucchini that are appropriate for babies and delicious for the whole family!
1. Steamed
- Place zucchini spears in a steamer basket inside a pot with enough water to cover the bottom of the pot, but not touch the basket. Cover and bring to a simmer.
- Steam 5-8 minutes, or until zucchini are tender. If you're making half moons, steam halved zucchini and cut it after cooking.
2. Grilled
- Cut zucchini in half lengthwise so you have two long pieces with flat sides. Season cut sides with any seasoning (I like a little salt, pepper, garlic powder and paprika) and drizzle with olive oil.
- Grill on medium-low heat, flipping once, until zucchini are tender, about 5-10 minutes. Cut into appropriate shapes after cooking.
3. Oven roasted
This method for covered oven roasting produce tender zucchini that aren't mushy, but don't have a crispy crust - perfect for babies!
- Cut zucchini into spears and season with any seasoning (I did Italian seasoning here) and drizzle with olive oil. Toss to coat and spread on a baking sheet.
- Cover the baking sheet tightly with foil and bake at 425°F for 10-15 minutes.
(Also try my Roasted Parmesan Zucchini Sticks!)
4. Sautéd
- Cut zucchini into half moons or finger-length sticks and chop some garlic.
- Heat a skillet over medium heat and add olive oil. Add zucchini and garlic and cook, stirring, until the zucchini is tender.
5. Stewed
Add half moons or finger-length sticks of zucchini to soups or stews, such as tortilla soup or minestrone, or other stewed veggie dishes to serve to baby!
Baby Led Weaning-Friendly Zucchini Recipes
- Healthy Zucchini Banana Breakfast Cookies
- Zucchini Muffins for Babies
- Baked Parmesan Zucchini Sticks
- Baked Quinoa Zucchini Fritters
- Corn & Summer Squash Fritters
- Baby Friendly Roasted Ratatouille
- Easy No Sugar Zucchini Bread Oatmeal
- Blueberry Zucchini Waffles by The Natural Nurturer
- Spinach Zucchini Frittata Fingers by Haute and Healthy Living
- Garlic Roasted Zucchini with Feta by Inspired Taste
- Zucchini Cacio e Pepe with Brown Butter Sauce by Half Baked Harvest (go easy on the salt)
- Turkey Zucchini Burgers with Lemon Yogurt Sauce by Yotam Ottolenghi (or shape them into meatball fingers!)
- Thai Zucchini Meatballs with Mango Coconut Sauce by Get Inspired Everyday
(Psst...You can swap out yellow summer squash for zucchini in these recipes!)
Track your baby's journey through starting solids! Get my 100 First Foods Checklist and Allergen Checklist Bundle today!
FAQ
As long as zucchini is cooked to a soft texture, it's not a common choking hazard. If raw, zucchini is round and firm, so it could pose a higher choking risk. Always cook zucchini before serving to babies!
No, zucchini is not a common allergen, though it is possible. People with Oral Allergy Syndrome may react to raw or barely cooked zucchini.
Yes. Zucchini skin is edible and nutritious! If baby gets a large chunk of particularly tough skin that is causing trouble, calmly coach him to spit it out and remove it from the tray. If the skin feels too tough after cooking and still makes you nervous, you can always cut it off!
Yes, zucchini should be cooked to a soft texture before serving to babies. As babies get a little older and have more eating experience, you can cook it to a less mushy texture, but it should still be cooked unless grated finely.
You can offer very thin, stick-shaped slices or matchsticks of raw zucchini to babies around 12 months.
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