We've been enjoying a nice crop of zucchini this year. I thought we should give you some ideas of ways to use them, so you wouldn't have to drop them (on the sly) in people's cars at church.
First of all, my least favorite way to eat summer squash: Cut them into chunks and boil them till soft, then serve lightly salted.... what a waste! :-)
On the other hand, an equally simple way to enjoy zucchini is breaded and fried. Just dip in flour seasoned with seasoning salt and pepper, then fry in the vegetable oil of your choice.
But to really enjoy the flavor of a zucchini, try these ideas:
Zucchini Fritters (from "Vegetable Fritters" in Simply In Season.)
1/3 cup flour
½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
2 eggs (beaten)
Mix to form a smooth batter.
Add 3 cups shredded summer squash (zucchini, or may also mix with yellow summer squash). Add 1/3 cup onion (minced) or 2 cloves garlic (minced)
Add 1 Tbsp fresh parsley (chopped) -- optional
Very lightly spray a frypan with oil and heat to medium hot. Drop a large spoonful of batter onto frypan. Fry until golden, turn and cook on second side until done. Serve with butter -- YUM!
Caution: This recipe is never enough for some of "us" :-)
Zucchini Casserole -- always a favorite at our house. (See the June 2009 blog entry on "Zukes" for this recipe.)
and finally.... Let's not forget zucchini bread, and chocolate zucchini cake.... although I personally think these are just poorly-concealed excuses for an out-of-control sweet tooth!
The Chocolate Zucchini Cake recipe is also already posted on the June 2009 blog "Zukes."
Zucchini Bread
In mixing bowl, combine:
3 beaten eggs
1 cup oil
3 cups peeled and grated Zucchini squash
Into this mixture, sift:
3½ cups flour
1 tsp cinnamon
½ tsp nutmeg
½ tsp ground cloves
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
½ tsp baking powder
½ cup chopped nuts
Optional: 1 cup crushed pineapple and ½ cup raisins
Pour into 2 large loaf pans (greased and floured) and bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour and 20 minutes.
No summer is complete without some of these zucchini squash favorites!
