What to do with zucchini?

[hockeymom]

My zucchini plants are overwhelming me already... I have two chocolate zucchini cakes on the counter and we have had grilled zucchini with dinner the last 3 nights. There are 6 more reasonable sized ones in my fridge right now and plenty more on the plants. Other than giving them to the neighbours, are there any suggestions for other recipes?

[Jo-Jo]

I like making zucchini "boats" with the medium/large.
Split in half length wise...scoop out guts.
Stuff with a mixture of whatever (could be rice/herbs). Top with grated cheese and bake.

[ultraslacker]

I love it in spaghetti sauce!

-- Sent from my Palm Pre using Forums

[mas_runner]

In bread (like banana bread) or muffins...
...great in soup and morrocan tagine type recipes too...

[Doonst]

first thing that comes to mind
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNoXsV2X7bs

[Jwolf]

Grilled or pan-fried (sort of seared).

[MINITEE]

I grate them, squeeze a bit and put into freezer bags (1 cup measures) to use in sauces and baking in the winter.

Zucchini Tater tots.. are YUMMY! http://curiouscountrycook.blogspot.ca/2 ... -tots.html. I have made these a few times, and they are super yummy.

I also saute shredded zucchini, mushroom and onion in a bit of coconut oil and then pour lightly scrambled eggs over them. Very yummy.

Cut lengthwise or on the diagonal, brush with a little olive oil and place on the BBQ.

[Kelodie]

Warning: bad joke ahead

When asked this question, a coworker once answered: compost.

Kind of and kind of as well.

I usually make zucchini and chocolate chips loaves with my zucchini. They freeze really well and everyone loves them.

I didn't know you could freeze grated zucchini. I will certainly do that when I get dozens of zucchinis from my plants.

[toobusy]

ive done the grate and freeze. Other then using in baking, I don't eat them though so I stopped getting them

[Robbie-T]

Grow Giants!! Grow it as big as you can and take it to the local fall fair.
20lb is a nice size. The world record is 65lbs.

[scrumhalfgirl]

lots of great suggestions here! can i just say how jealous i am? i loooove zucchini, and we've had terrible luck growing it. last year, my plants produced a grand total of one! i'm pretty sure i'm doing something wrong.

[hockeymom]

Last year my plant produced exactly two zucchini, and both were ready while I was away on vacation so the neighbours got them. This year I planted three plants figuring I could handle 6 zucchini over the course of the summer. I think I have picked at least 12 already and there are lots more just starting.

Two cakes, two loaves, 12 muffins, one recipe of zucchini tots (they were great) and one grilled on tonight's hamburgers leaves only 3 in the fridge. Two are going to a friend tomorrow and hopefully that gets us back under control!

Thanks for all the ideas everyone.

[Jwolf]

I didn't know you could freeze grated zucchini. I will certainly do that when I get dozens of zucchinis from my plants.

you can freeze just about anything. The texture of some things will change, but anything you eventually use for cooking is fine to freeze.

[n_fraser]

I make this alot. It also freezes well and is great if you need something quick to bring to a friend's place:

Chocolate Zucchini Bread:

1 1/2 cups shredded raw zucchini

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground allspice

1/2 cup safflower or canola oil

1/2 cup granulated white sugar

1/2 cup light brown sugar

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

3/4 cup semi sweet chocolate chips


Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C) and place rack in the center of the oven. Grease (or spray with a nonstick vegetable spray) a 9 x 5 x 3 inch (23 x 13 x 8 cm) loaf pan. Set aside.

Grate the zucchini, using a medium sized grater. Set aside.

In a large bowl whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, salt, ground cinnamon, and ground allspice. Set aside.

In the bowl of your electric mixer (or with a hand mixer), beat the oil, sugars, eggs, and vanilla extract until well blended (about 2 minutes). Fold in the grated zucchini. Add the flour mixture, beating just until combined. Then fold in the chocolate chips. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and bake until the bread has risen and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 55 to 65 minutes. Place on a wire rack to cool for about 10 minutes, then remove the bread from the pan and cool completely.

Makes one - 9 x 5 x 3 inch loaf.

[gnu]

I love zucchini! I cut it into reasonable lengths, then quarter it lengthwise, and throw it directly on the BBQ...YUM.

We also make a batch or two of zucchini relish every year - it's great on everything you would traditionally eat relish on, as well as a few other things (e.g. baked potatoes!) because it's zesty rather than super-sweet. We always give some jars away because it's a big hit with the extended family. If you're into preserving I can post the recipe - it's one of those recipes that requires resting overnight, however, so it is definitely a weekend project.

[Babaloo]

Pick the beautiful zucchini flowers, stuff them with ricotta and fresh basil, dip in a light batter and fry until golden and crispy. Soooooooooooooooooo good!