How to cook zucchini for the first feeding of the child

The baby is growing up and, as a result, his mother’s milk or loose mixes are not enough for him. For full development, the child needs more useful vitamins and elements that are found in natural food. One of the common options for complementary foods is zucchini puree. Due to the hypoallergenic composition and ease of preparation, the product is widely used by newly minted mothers. In order to make complementary foods, it is important to have some knowledge. Consider the important aspects in order.

The positive properties of zucchini

1. Cooked puree is perfect for infants, because the child’s body easily assimilates it. Zucchini eliminates constipation, helps to normalize digestion, activates the full work of the digestive tract. Puree based on this product does not cause colic and bloating.
2. Zucchini puree is considered a hypoallergenic dish. Only in 3% of cases, babies have a rash or redness. As a rule, such a reaction occurs due to the incorrect entry of the product into the child’s diet.
3. So that the baby does not lag behind in development, his body needs potassium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, as well as vitamins of groups B, C, D. All of these components can be found in zucchini.
4. The indisputable benefit of the dish is the availability of components, pricing and ease of preparation. Even inexperienced housewives will be able to translate the recipe into reality, saving time and energy.
5. If the child’s feeding is not in the summer-autumn period, zucchini can easily be frozen. Thanks to simple manipulations, you can cook a dish at any time of the year, while preserving its useful properties.

Zucchini-based feeding rules

1. Experienced pediatricians unanimously reiterate that the first lure should begin after 4 months. The recommendation is especially relevant for infants who have problems with stools, slow weight gain. This also applies to children who are on artificial feeding. In cases where breast milk is not enough, wait with the introduction of complementary foods until the baby is six months old.
2. The first lure based on mashed squash has a number of features that must be taken into account without fail. It is important to observe the dosage and not to rush. Begin feeding with 25-40 gr., If the body responds normally, gradually increase the dose to 100 gr. at one meal.
3. You can make zucchini puree steamed or in a saucepan. The final product has a liquid consistency similar to kefir or sour cream (in rare cases). Such a feature will help the baby swallow the dish without much effort, in addition, it is easier to digest.
4. Choose the best time to start feeding. Prefer to noon or morning hours. Such a move must be made in order to monitor the reaction of the baby and in time to eliminate the possible consequences.
5. Zucchini-based foods are not recommended to be heated in the microwave or in any other convenient way. After you make the mash, feed it to the baby for 20-30 minutes. During this period, the dish will not lose useful qualities.
6. It is necessary to introduce new components into the infant mode gradually. Do not try to force the child to eat zucchini puree.If the baby is naughty or does not feel well, postpone lure for a while.
7. Zucchini puree is made exclusively without the addition of spices, salt, butter or any other oil (vegetable, olive, etc.). In addition, the first lure should be carried out without foreign ingredients. A clean composition will help determine what kind of zucchini a child has an allergy to.
8. If after feeding zucchini puree, the baby begins to itch or you notice redness, acne, a rash of unknown origin, postpone the introduction of zucchini. Try mashed potatoes based on another vegetable.

Features of the procurement and selection of zucchini for complementary foods

To puree zucchini purely for the baby’s health, it’s important to choose the right ingredients and follow the best practices.

1. In the summer, zucchini can be easily purchased in supermarkets and in the market, there will be no difficulties with the choice. If you want to get a 100% natural vegetable, it can be grown in the country or in a personal plot.
2. When buying, give preference to young zucchini of small size. In this case, the peel should be smooth and light, slightly sticky. The vegetable itself is resilient and firm to the touch. It is also worth paying attention to the presence, or rather the absence of foreign inclusions, damage, spots and soft areas.
3. Please note that on the surface of the vegetable there should be no damage, rot, mold. In cases where there is no possibility of buying young zucchini, use large fruits. The main thing is to remove the seeds from the core, use only the pulp.
4. If the zucchini was purchased at a store or market, wash it thoroughly with a kitchen sponge, and then prepare a solution for soaking. Mix filtered water with salt, place the vegetable in a basin, leave for 15 minutes. Such manipulation will remove nitrates and other chemicals.
5. To prepare one serving of mashed potatoes, you need to take a small piece of vegetable. To prevent the fruit from spoiling, cover the cut with cling film and send the zucchini to the refrigerator. Next time, cut off the darkened edge and again take the required amount of pulp.

The technology of preparing food from zucchini

1. After soaking (if purchased zucchini), the fruits must be washed, dried and peeled. In cases where non-young vegetables are used to make mashed potatoes, all seeds will need to be removed.
2. Next, pay attention to the dishes in which mashed potatoes will be prepared. It should be perfectly clean, sterilized. To do this, wash the container with soda, then pour over with boiling water and wipe dry.
3. It is important to remember forever that you can’t cook or stew zucchini for a long time. You risk evaporating from it all the useful elements that "die" as a result of heat treatment.
4. To get a mass of homogeneous consistency, it is enough to pass the finished product through a fine sieve or grind it in a blender / meat grinder / combine to obtain mashed potatoes.
5. In order for the baby to easily swallow squash, dilute the puree with the ready-made mixture or breast milk, after decanting it. It is strictly forbidden to use cow or goat milk.

How to cook the first lure from zucchini

The first and most common option for preparing food based on zucchini is considered to be processing a vegetable in a pan (cooking). The technology is relatively simple, while at the same time, it helps preserve vitamins and elements.

1. Pick up a thick-bottomed enameled pan, pour filtered (drinking) water into it, put on medium heat.
2. Prepare the zucchini by soaking, washing and drying it. After that, cut a piece so that you have enough for one serving. Wrap the rest of the fruit in cling film and refrigerate until the next time.
3. After the water in the pan boils, send the zucchini into the container and cook for about 10 minutes, no longer. The consistency will tell you about the readiness of the product, the fruit will become soft, supple.
4. When you bring the vegetable to the desired state, remove it and mash it with a fork. Pass through a sieve or grind using a food processor, blender, meat grinder (one way to choose).
5. When the squash puree is too thick, dilute it with breast milk, a mixture or broth in which the fruit was cooked. Allow the composition to cool to room temperature, then proceed to feeding.

How to cook complementary foods from zucchini in a slow cooker (steamed)

Despite the fact that a dish prepared using a stove and pot is quite popular, the maximum benefit is obtained using a slow cooker. Steamed vegetables retain their positive properties by almost 100%. Since the age of technological progress leaves its mark on society, it makes sense to consider the preparation of the first food in a slow cooker or a double boiler. The main thing is that the device has a built-in "Steam" function.

1. Wash the squash under the tap, then soak it in a salt solution (if the product is purchased). Dry, cut the required amount, send the rest to the refrigerator, previously covering with a film.
2. Sterilize the multicooker / double boiler bowl by pouring boiling water over it. Pour bottled water into the bottom, chop the zucchini into cubes and place in a bowl. Set the function "Steam" ("Extinguishing").
3. If the dish is cooked in a double boiler, attach the grate on top and place the squash slices on it. Set the "Steam" mode, make sure that the cooking time is 8-14 minutes, not longer.
4. After the timer turns off, remove the zucchini, mash them with a fork, grind through a sieve or grind in a blender. The first option is preferable, since a blender will need more zucchini.
5. Cool the mixture to room temperature, if necessary, dilute with milk mixture or breast milk. Do not use plain or drinking water for these purposes.

How to freeze zucchini for feeding for the winter

1. In the summer, select young fruits without defects. If possible, use homemade zucchini grown for freezing.
2. Wash the zucchini under the tap, remove the ponytails and spouts. Cut them into thin slices, half rings or cubes (it all depends on personal preferences).
3. Spread paper towels or towels, lay vegetables on them to remove excess moisture. Make tight plastic bags.
4. Divide the sliced ​​zucchini in equal sections so that one part corresponds to one serving. Send the packaged mixture to the freezer, use as directed.

Zucchini has a lot of advantages, so they are ideal for the first feeding. Introduce mashed vegetables into the baby’s diet gradually in small portions. Use a pan, double boiler or slow cooker to cook. If necessary, breed porridge with breast milk, broth or milk mixture. If complementary foods occur in the autumn, winter, spring, freeze vegetables.

Video: how to cook the first lure for the baby on the example of zucchini