Summer Joys ~ Zucchini

When I think of summer, one of the first things I think of is zucchini. Especially after I had such success growing it last year. I planted 5 zucchini plants last year, and had zucchini coming out of my ears (or so it seemed). I made a mental note to myself not to plant 5 zucchini plants in future years. So I laughed a bit when I realized that this year I planted only 4. I think it's safe to say that no one needs 4 zucchini plants either!

When you do plant several zucchini plants, your fruit bowl turns into a zucchini bowl and you begin sneaking shredded zucchini into everything. You also risk becoming THAT person ~ the one that causes people in your neighborhood or church to lock their car doors lest the zucchini fairy leaves them a surprise.

But I do love zucchini and thought I would share some of my favorite recipes here. 

Just in case.

Zucchini Bread

Combine and mix:

• 1 ½ C sugar
•  1/3 C brown sugar
•   ¾ C oil
• 2 eggs

Mix and add to above:

• 2 C flour
• ¾ tsp baking powder
•  ¾ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
•  2 ½ tsp cinnamon

Add:

• 1 ½ shredded zucchini
• optional - chocolate chips

Bake at 350 for I hour

Squash Casserole

3 lbs yellow/zucchini squash, sliced                                   ¼ C mayo

5 T butter, divided                                                               2 tsp sugar

½ C onion, chopped                                                             1 tsp salt

1 C cheddar, shredded                                                          20 round crackers, crushed

2 large eggs, slightly beaten

• Cook squash in boiling water for 8-10 minutes. Drain well.
•  Melt 4 T butter in skillet. Add onion and sauté 5 minutes.
• Remove skillet from heat. Stir in squash, cheese, eggs, mayo, sugar and salt.
• Spoon into baking dish.
• Melt remaining 1 T butter and add crushed crackers. Sprinkle over casserole.
• Bake @350 for 30-35 minutes.

Zucchini Hamburger Casserole

4 medium zucchini ~ sliced or shredded

1 lb ground beef

1/2 cup chopped onion

1/2 C dry bread crumbs

1/2 C grated parmesan cheese

1 tsp salt

1 tsp dried oregano

1/2 tsp garlic salt

1 jar of your favorite spaghetti sauce

mozzarella cheese

• Lightly grease 9x13 baking dish
• Cook ground beef and onion over medium heat.
• Stir in bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, salt, oregano, and garlic salt. Add sauce and mix well.
• In baking dish layer zucchini, meat and sauce mixture, mozzarella. Repeat layers.
• Bake @ 350 for 45 minutes.

Do you have a favorite way to eat zucchini?