Monday, July 7, 2014

Take My Zucchini, Please!




You remember that old joke, don't you? This is not a joke. This mound of zucchini exists in my kitchen. And it doesn't include the zucchini I gave away. The large ones are from one day, one day! that I was out and didn't go into the garden. Now I'm afraid to go in. Those zucchini plants are getting out of hand!

I'm using zucchini in everything because it just keeps coming! Today I tried a recipe for muffins. I grated zucchini in the food processor. The recipe only uses one and a half cups but I grated about eight cups worth for other recipes. The muffins turned out so wonderfully moist. You could pop in some raisins if you feel like it. These would make such a nice addition to breakfast or brunch.


To simplify things, I grated the zucchini first, wiped out the food processor bowl, added the chopping blade and processed the walnuts and flour. I melted the butter in the microwave for 50 seconds – fast and easy. And zucchini haters will never know . . .


Zucchini Walnut Muffins

1/2 cup butter
1 cup walnuts
1 cup flour
3/4 cup dark brown sugar, packed
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ginger

1 1/2 cups shredded zucchini
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs

Preheat oven to 350 and place muffin papers in the muffin tin.

Melt the butter and set aside to cool. In a food processor, mix the walnuts, flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and ginger. Process until fine.

Lightly whisk the eggs. Place the shredded zucchini in a good-sized bowl. Toss with the butter and the vanilla. Add the eggs and mix well. Add the flour mixture and turn gently until completely mixed. Do not overmix!

It will be very thick. Divide between the 12 muffin wells and bake for 18 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean.


Shred zucchini.
Add eggs, butter, and vanilla.

All you need is a cup of coffee or tea.


16 comments:

  1. zucchini chips! zucchini fries! MmmmmMmmmMmmmmmm. I got one of these and now I make zucchini spaghetti, too. http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/paderno-sprializer/?cm_src=AutoSchRel

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    1. I don't think I've tried zucchini fries! Can you recommend a recipe? I love that gadget! Uh oh, something to add to my list!

      ~Krista

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  2. My son, who is currently staying with us, has one of those sprializers - they are kinda neat! Krista, did you squeeze the excess moisture out of the shredded zucchini? I just found a soup recipe that uses 8 (!) cups of summer squash. Plan to make your muffins and the soup for dinner tonight....it should help decrease our zucchini surplus.

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    1. Sharon, I did not squeeze out the moisture. I debated it but decided that it might help the muffins stay moist. I hope you like them as much as we do. I'm thinking about making a few batches to freeze for winter.

      ~Krista

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    2. The muffins were delicious!!!!! I couldn't believe how tender they were. This recipe is definitely a keeper. I had an opened package of dried mixed berries that my granddaughter left so I threw those in too. Yum. Froze half the batch and I think I will make and freeze some more.

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  3. I think zucchini is the quintessential bumper crop!
    What fun to process the walnuts like that. Makes for a subtle taste I imagine.
    All in all--it sound delicious.

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    1. You're so right, Libby. Zucchini is rewarding to grow. : ) I love grinding the walnuts. I did it in a banana muffin recipe that's one of my favorites and thought it might lend itself well to this recipe.

      ~Krista

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  4. Zucchini muffins sound great. Love zucchini bread --actually anything zucchini.

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  5. I just made zucchini banana muffins over the weekend. They're delish! Zucchini is such a versatile vegetable! Love it, Krista.

    Daryl / Avery

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    1. It is versatile. Have you tried it in lasagna instead of pasta? I have trouble imagining that.

      ~Krista

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  6. If you don't pick it, zucchini will get big enough to bang on your windows. I have a zucchini chocolate cake, but these muffins look verrrrry good.

    Thanks, Krista!

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  7. LOL! Now I'm afraid, Mary Jane!!!

    ~Krista

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  8. Perfect timing, I'm drowning in zucchini from a generous neighbor.

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  9. I would take your zucchini. We didn't plant a garden this year. However, for some reason, mine always die.

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  10. i like to make spaghetti out of zucchini. that will use quite a few of those.

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