The Things I Love Most

Tips To Enjoying Life With Your Family

Homemade Fruit Snacks – Made From Zucchini

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I know what your are thinking…eww!  But stop right there with that thought.  That was my first thought when I heard of these.  But after making them once, twice…ok six time we LOVE them!!  I first heard of them here and she used this recipe, and then Linda from Food Storage Moms tried them and gave us some and the kids loved them.  I decided if I had enough squash this summer I would make them….boy did I have enough squash.  I picked 10 more yesterday and they are still coming!

So here is how to make them….

First off you need to have a bunch of Zucchini (or yellow squash)!  Next shred it and spoon out the seeds.  {and take that stuff out to your chickens to eat!)

Cut into shapes either cubes or rectangles or what ever shape you want :).  I read that some people even used cookie cutters.  About 3/4 inch thick and an inch wide or more.  (no don’t get your ruler out, they are fine if they are smaller or bigger)  They shrink up a ton so you don’t want them to be too tiny! You can even make them long to make gummy worm like snacks!
Next is where we add our flavor.  There are SO many options of how to flavor your zucchini’s.  Really all you need is a pot of something sweet to boil your zucchini in.  The first time I made them I did the Kool-Aid method with regular sugar.  I have since then made it with fruit juice, Organic Lemonade.  The sky is the limit!  

In a big pot add your juice (2 bottles or 2 frozen with water), Kool-aid (3 cups water, 1 1/3 cup sugar and 2 Kool-aid packets), Jello and water, or Gelatin and water.  Just make sure it is sweet enough.  You can also use liquid sweeteners like honey or Agave. Add about 4-6 cups of squash (depending on the size of your pot).  Bring it to a boil and then put a little on it, lower the heat and let it simmer for 30 minutes!

Drain the squash and let it sit until it is cool to touch.  
I dehydrated mine in my dehydrator, but this girl here has method of doing them in the oven! Set your dehydrator to 130 for 8-10 hours.  They will be a tiny bit pliable, but not juicy.  

Homemade Zucchini Fruit Snacks
{Printable Version Here}
3-4 Zucchini -washed, peeled, cored and chopped (4-6 cups)
3-4 cups water mixed with flavor, or just juice to fill the pot 3/4 of the way full
Added sweetener to taste.
Put all in a pot and bring to a boil.  Put a lid on it and simmer for 30 mins.  Drain and let sit until cool.  Spread onto trays and dehydrate on 130 degrees for 8-10 hours.  Store in air tight container in cupboard .
But they will be gone as soon as you make them if you are like us!!
And Enjoy!!