Dried "Pineapple" Zucchini

I have a zillion zucchini on my counter at the moment. I have been looking at various ways to preserve them other than just shredding and freezing. Last year I tried Val's Zucchini candy, though I didn't want to use the kool-aid, so I used lemon juice instead. It didn't turn out right. This year I have come across lots of recipes for mock pineapple- which is basically simmering shredded or chunked zucchini in pineapple juice, lemon juice and sugar then canning it.

The thing about both of those recipes is the sugar. I would rather it not be there. So I combined the 2 ideas.

The amounts aren't really important, but here is what you need:

• Pineapple juice
• zucchini- peeled, de-seeded and cut into cubes (big is okay, they reduce a lot while cooking and dehydrating)
• powdered sugar
• corn/tapioca starch
• a dehydrator

Place the pineapple juice in a pot, add the zucchini and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and allow to simmer until the zucchini is soft and translucent. It should look like pineapple. Scoop out the zucchini using a slotted spoon. Place the pieces in your dehydrator at about 130 degrees for 18 hours or so. Place a couple tablespoons of powdered sugar and corn/tapioca starch in a bag with the dried zucchini and toss to cover.

I used the remaining pineapple juice again to simmer another  batch of zucchini. Twice was all I could get before the juice was pretty much syrup. And I stuffed the pot almost overflowing with zucchini both times.

 Then eat! It's really good, the kids were stealing pieces all day. This is a good use for those monster zucchini, and I would use mine if the kids would let me cut it!

Linked to Frugal Days, Sustainable Ways and The Homestead Barn Hop