One of the things I miss most about having gone to a dairy-free diet is the cheesey awesomeness of Italian food. I mean, no pizza, no tortellini, no seafood alfredo…it’s like a forced march to a death-camp of anti-dairy crazies. Ok, well, maybe it’s not that bad, but it’s bad. Like I had one bite (ONE BITE) of cake batter with whipping cream in it (long story–it failed, don’t ask) and I was miserable for like 2 days with stomach pains. So, it’s bad. But I’ve found a new way to get my cheese fix and I think it’s about to change my world. Dairy-Free Nut-Free Cheese – Zucchini Cheese. The simple trick to making it work like a real cheese: aging.
Ingredients for Dairy-Free Nut-Free Cheese
- 2 medium zucchini, peeled and sliced
- 2 tblspn minced onion
- 1 tspn salt
- 1 tspn garlic powder
- 2 tspn agar-agar
- 1 tspn lemon juice
How to Make Dairy-Free Nut-Free Cheese
- Line a baking pan with parchment paper or wax paper and set aside.
- Peel and slice zucchini.
- Place in a small sauce pan and cover with water, then place pan over medium heat.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Allow zucchini to steam like this for approximately 10 minutes or until the flesh is soft enough that a mixing spoon mushes it or cuts it in half.
- Remove from heat and allow to cool until it can be handled safely.
- Drain and place in a food processor or blender (I use my Ninja) (paid link).
- Add spices, lemon juice and onion (everything except gelatin) and blend until smooth.
- Add agar-agar and mix thoroughly.
- Pour into the lined baking pan and place in the refrigerator.
Now, at this point, you can just wait until the cheese is fully chilled and solid, then you can slice and enjoy. But the real trick is getting to use this stuff in yummy Italian dishes or on a burger. To do this, you’re going to want to “age” the cheese. So, you’re basically going to let it sit, uncovered, in your fridge for at least a week. It will totally keep, so don’t panic, but it will get firmer and stay together better than if you used it fresh. So, enjoy, but do it knowing WHEN you want to eat it and HOW. LOL!

Dairy Free Nut Free Cheese - Zucchini Cheese
I’ve found a new way to get my cheese fix and I think it’s about to change my world. Dairy-Free Nut-Free Cheese – Zucchini Cheese. The simple trick to making it work like a real cheese: aging.
Ingredients
- 2 medium zucchini, peeled and sliced
- 2 tblspn minced onion
- 1 tspn salt
- 1 tspn garlic powder
- 2 tspn agar-agar
- 1 tspn lemon juice
Instructions
- Line a baking pan with parchment paper or wax paper and set aside.
- Peel and slice zucchini.
- Place in a small sauce pan and cover with water, then place pan over medium heat.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Allow zucchini to steam like this for approximately 10 minutes or until the flesh is soft enough that a mixing spoon mushes it or cuts it in half.
- Remove from heat and allow to cool until it can be handled safely.
- Drain and place in a food processor or blender (I use my Ninja–so much in fact that I’m beginning to strip the gears…so I might be in the market for a new one soon).
- Add spices, lemon juice and onion (everything except gelatin) and blend until smooth.
- Add agar-agar and mix thoroughly.
- Pour into the lined baking pan and place in the refrigerator.
- Now, at this point, you can just wait until the cheese is fully chilled and solid, then you can slice and enjoy. But the real trick is getting to use this stuff in yummy Italian dishes or on a burger. To do this, you’re going to want to “age” the cheese. So, you’re basically going to let it sit, uncovered, in your fridge for at least a week. It will totally keep, so don’t panic, but it will get firmer and stay together better than if you used it fresh. So, enjoy, but do it knowing WHEN you want to eat it and HOW. LOL!
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 20Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 76mgCarbohydrates: 4gFiber: 1gSugar: 2gProtein: 1g
For More Dairy-Free Ideas, Check Out These:
Dairy-Free Lime Sherbet
Dairy-Free Ricotta Cheese

Light & Fluffy Dairy-Free Mashed Potatoes
