Easy Way to Get the Liquid Out of Shredded Zucchini
We Tried 7 Ways of Wringing Out Shredded Zucchini and Found a Hands-Down Winner
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Credit: Photo: Kelly Marshall; Food Styling: Kat Boytsova
There are so many things to look forward to when summer rolls around: days at the beach, frosé, road trips, and, of course, fresh, in-season summer produce like zucchini.
I've always squeezed grated zucchini in a kitchen towel to wring out the liquid, but I wondered if there was a better way. After scouring the internet, I found plenty of methods to test. Would I find a new go-to? There was only one way to find out.
So, What Is the Best Way to Wring Out Shredded Zucchini?
While there were a number of methods that worked pretty well, the very best method for squeezing the liquid out of zucchini was using a nut-milk bag (a fine mesh bag specifically designed for making plant-based milks at home). Read on to learn more about the results of that method — and other methods you might want to try.
Credit: Photo: Kelly Marshall; Food Styling: Kat Boytsova
A Few Notes on Methodology
The ingredients: In order to test the efficacy of each method, I used the large holes of my box grater to fill up my largest mixing bowl with a huge heap of freshly grated zucchini. I didn't use salt or any other ingredients to help extract the liquid.
The tests: One of the main challenges in this Skills Showdown was thinking about exactly how I could measure the success (or failure) of each method. In order to standardize each aspect of the experiment as much as possible, I used a kitchen scale to weigh out the same amount of shredded zucchini — eight ounces — for each method. I attempted to squeeze the liquid out of each pile of zucchini for the same amount of time: five minutes. Lastly, I measured the amount of liquid that was extracted from each batch of zucchini in a bowl set on a kitchen scale.
Ratings criteria: Each method was judged on a scale of 1 to 10. I used the weight of the liquid extracted from each batch of zucchini as the main indicator of how well (or not so well) a method worked. Other factors, such as whether or not I thought a tool was finicky or time-consuming to work with, or if I thought it would be difficult or expensive for a home cook to find, also factored into the rankings.
Credit: Photo: Kelly Marshall; Food Styling: Kat Boytsova
Liquid Extraction Method: Fine-Mesh Sieve & Spoon
- Liquid extracted (from 8 ounces of shredded zucchini): 0 ounces
- Rating: 1/10
About this method: For this technique, which is one of a few ways recommended by Taste.com.au, I added the shredded zucchini to a medium-sized fine-mesh sieve and set it over a bowl. I used the back of a soup spoon to try to press as much of the liquid out of the shredded zucchini as possible. Using one hand to steady the handle of the sieve and the other to press firmly with the spoon, I pressed the zucchini for five minutes.
Results: The results for this method were immeasurable — literally! So little liquid came out of the veggies that the kitchen scale registered 0. Needless to say, I was disappointed by the results.
Credit: Photo: Kelly Marshall; Food Styling: Kat Boytsova
Liquid Extraction Method: 3 Layers of Paper Towels
- Liquid extracted (from 8 ounces of shredded zucchini): 1.32 ounces.
- Rating: 2/10
About this method: For this test, I used a triple-layer of sturdy paper towel (I used Viva brand) to wring out the zucchini. I placed the pile of zucchini on the paper towel, brought the corners of the paper towels together to make a pouch, twisted to tighten and then used one hand to squeeze the liquid into the bowl.
Results: This method worked well for about 30 seconds, then the paper towels began to rip on the bottom of the pouch while I was squeezing. I continued to use both of my hands to squeeze out the liquid even though the paper towel was ripping more and more. While I was able to squeeze out some extra liquid, the fact that the paper towels ripped made me worry that there would be small shreds of the paper towel in the zucchini. Because of the paper towel destruction, shredded zucchini pieces would occasionally fall into the bowl with the liquid. This is not a method I would try again.
Credit: Photo: Kelly Marshall; Food Styling: Kat Boytsova
Liquid Extraction Method: By Hand
- Liquid extracted (from 8 ounces of shredded zucchini): 2.17 ounces
- Rating: 4/10
About this method: This is another method recommended by Taste.com.au. Because your hands are often one of the best kitchen tools, I figured this method would have at least satisfactory results. Working in two batches, I used both hands to squeeze the liquid out of a handful of shredded zucchini set over a bowl.
The results: This method produced satisfactory results, although I wouldn't say they were anything more than that. I was able to extract a good amount of liquid from the zucchini, but one major drawback of this method is that it's hard to prevent shreds of zucchini from escaping from your hands and falling into the liquid. That was one of the major factors that influenced the lower rating, as well as the fact that I had to squeeze the zucchini in batches.
Credit: Photo: Kelly Marshall; Food Styling: Kat Boytsova
Liquid Extraction Method: Kitchen Towel
- Liquid extracted (from 8 ounces of shredded zucchini): 1.25 ounces
- Rating: 7/10
About this method: This is one of the most commonly recommended methods for squeezing the liquid out of zucchini — and was my go-to method going into this showdown. I placed the zucchini in the center of a 100% cotton kitchen towel, brought the corners together, and twisted to make a pouch. I then twisted the top with one hand and squeezed the pouch with the other hand to extract the liquid over a bowl.
Results: This method worked pretty well. While I was actually able to extract slightly more liquid with the paper towel method, I'd settle for a little less liquid to avoid dealing with picking paper towel bits out of my zucchini. The only downside is that, even after putting the towel through the washer, there was still a major green stain in the center. (If you do choose to use this method, just be sure to use a plain kitchen towel rather than terrycloth, which can leave bits of fabric on your zucchini.)
Credit: Photo: Kelly Marshall; Food Styling: Kat Boytsova
Liquid Extraction Method: Potato Ricer
- Liquid extracted (from 8 ounces of shredded zucchini): 1.40 oz.
- Rating: 7/10
About this method: This technique is one of three methods recommended by Mel's Kitchen Cafe, which was the top-ranking results in a Google search for ways to squeeze the liquid out of zucchini. The tool that I used is the OXO Good Grips 3-in-1 Adjustable Potato Ricer. (Not all potato ricers have adjustable holes, though, so your results may vary depending on what type of ricer you use.) For this method, I loaded as much of the eight-ounce portion of shredded zucchini into the potato ricer as I could (it didn't all fit so I had to take a second pass with the remaining zucchini). I then twisted the holes of the potato ricer to the smallest setting and squeezed the zucchini over a bowl to catch the liquid. I repeated this process with the remaining shredded zucchini.
Results: The potato ricer actually worked pretty well! I appreciated that I didn't have to press too firmly to get the liquid out of the zucchini. The main downside of this method is simply the fact that it requires that you have potato ricer, which not everyone has on hand. (A ricer does makes for deliciously smooth and creamy mashed potatoes, so you might want to consider investing in one. ) You also have to squeeze the zucchini in batches, which can be a bit of a pain.
Credit: Photo: Kelly Marshall; Food Styling: Kat Boytsova
Liquid Extraction Method: Cheesecloth
- Liquid extracted (from 8 ounces of shredded zucchini): 2.24 ounces
- Rating: 9/10
About this method: This technique is recommended by a few different sources and blogs, such as I Heart Nap Time and Shuangy's Kitchen Sink. Although I've used a cheesecloth for making things like homemade ricotta and know that some people may use it to make cold brew from scratch, I had never thought of it as a method for wringing out shredded zucchini. Since it comes in a large sheet, I simply used it in the same way I did the kitchen towel. I placed the pile of zucchini in the center of the cheesecloth, brought the corners together to make a pouch, and twisted. I used both hands to twist and squeeze as much liquid out as I possibly could.
Results: The cheesecloth worked great! It was as easy to use as the kitchen towel but because it's so much thinner, the liquid drains out more easily. Overall cheesecloth is a very good choice for squeezing the liquid out of the zucchini — it's cheap, durable, reusable, and easy to use.
Credit: Photo: Kelly Marshall; Food Styling: Kat Boytsova
Liquid Extraction Method: Nut-Milk Bag
- Liquid extract (from 8 ounces of shredded zucchini): 2.47 ounces
- Rating: 10/10
About this method: I was introduced to this method by Mel's Kitchen Cafe, which also recommended some of the other methods tested on this list. Just like the cheesecloth, the nut-milk bag was inexpensive and this one in particular was reusable and machine-washable. For this method, I placed the shredded zucchini in the bag and twisted it over a bowl to make a pouch. I then used both hands to twist and squeeze the zucchini.
Results: This tool blew other methods completely out of the water. Plus, a nut-milk bag is usually cheaper than a fine-mesh strainer and definitely cheaper than a potato ricer. I love that this tool can be used for great zucchini bread and homemade almond milk, cashew milk, and other nut milks. It's durable and reusable, so you can use it again and again and don't have to worry about small pieces of the material falling into your food. If you're working with shredded zucchini often, it's well worth investing in a nut-milk bag.
Source: https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-drain-zucchini-showdown-23395437
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