Too Much Zucchini in the Garden?

My favorite recipes for this versatile veggie…

Far too often our garden surprises us and puts up far more of a certain vegetable than we thought possible! Zucchini is such a vegetable – thankfully we’ve got the best recipes to share when this happens to you!

First off, this country living site has a "Did you know you could make pickles out of zucchini?" recipe, and following that, some great zucchini bread recipes…

If I have to say that word one more time – when my kitchen is loaded up with these beasts, I may go mad!

Great Zucchini Pickle Recipe

If you’ve tried Linda’s Delicious Pickled Beets, Tomato Salsa or Apple Butter you know you’ll love this recipe — even if you don’t like zucchini.

Zucchini Pickles – (5 half-pints)

• 2 lbs fresh, firm zucchini
• 2 small onions
• 1 sweet red pepper
• 1 sweet green pepper
• ¼ cup salt
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 teaspoons mustard seed
• 1 teaspoon celery salt
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• 3 cups vinegar (4 to 6% acidity)

1. Prepare Vegetables

   Wash zucchini and cut in thin slices. Peel and cut onions in quarters, then into thin slices. Slice peppers thinly. In large pan combine zucchini, onion, red and green pepper and salt. Cover with ice cubes and let stand 2 hours. Drain thoroughly.

2. Prepare Brine

   Bring remaining ingredients to boiling. Pour over vegetables. Let stand 2 hours. Bring all ingredients to boiling point and heat 5 minutes.

3. Can them Up!

   Pack zucchini and brine (boiling hot), into hot sterilized jars, leaving ¼-inch head space. Adjust caps. Process 15 minutes in boiling water canner.

Shelf Life of this Zucchini Pickle Recipe

Store jars in a cool, dark place and let set for 6-8 weeks before opening. Consume within 8 months.

Now onto the Yummy Baked Breads…

Zucchini Bread (makes 2 loaves)

• 3 eggs
• 1 cup oil
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 cups peeled and grated zucchini
• 3 tsp. vanilla
• 2 tsp. cinnamon
• 3 cups flour
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 cup nuts (optional)

The process:

1. Preheat oven to 325 F.
2. Stir together eggs, oil, sugar, zucchini.
3. Sift together flour, soda, salt, cinnamon, and baking powder.
4. Add to grated zucchini.
5. Stir in vanilla and nuts (if desired).
6. Bake 1 hour.
7. Cool completely.

Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread (makes 2)

• 2 cups grated zucchini
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup applesauce
• 2 cups sugar
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 3 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 1/4 cups flour
• 6 ounces chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup cocoa

The process:

1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
2. Grease and lightly flour two loaf pans.
3. Stir together grated zucchini, eggs, applesauce, vegetable oil and sugar.
4. Add remaining ingredients.
5. Pour mixture into loaf pans.
6. Bake for 45 minutes, then reduce heat to 300 F and bake an additional 15 minutes.