Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Zucchini Bread - Tasty Tuesday!

So a friend of mine gave me a zucchini bigger than my arm.  I'm not joking.  I now understand why people joke about leaving zucchini on neighbors' doorsteps and then running.  Holy cats.  There was nothing to do but make zucchini bread, right?

Ginormous zucchini

So... 15 eggs later, I have 7 loaves of zucchini bread, and 96 mini muffins.  Or I did.  One loaf has been completely demolished.  Two loaves went home with a friend.  And another loaf has been started, plus several of the mini muffins have disappeared mysteriously.  It still is as good and as loved as it was when my mom used to make this for me as a kid.

The good news?  The wee ones love it.  And I don't think I need to make zucchini bread again for awhile.  Oh, and I'll be bringing some of those muffins with me to BlogHer, so hit me up if you see me!

Zucchini Bread

Ingredients:
2 eggs
1 1/2 c sugar
1 c oil
1 t baking powder
1 t baking soda
1 T cinnamon
1/2 t nutmeg
1 t salt
3 1/2 c flour
3 c shredded zucchini

Directions:
Peel your zucchini (or if you're my mom, don't, but I find the skin a little tough).  Cut it in half, and then use a spoon to scrape out the seeds and the spongy middle.  Use a food processor to shred the zucchini, or go old school and use a grater - just watch your knuckles!

Extremely large bowl of grated zucchini

My huge zucchini made this extremely large bowl of shredded zucchini.  You don't need nearly this much.  I like to shred my zucchini first so that some of the liquid in the zucchini can start to drain, as you don't need any extra moisture in the bread.  If you want to get fancy, put it in a colander, but I forgot, and this works just fine.

Preheat your oven to 325 degrees.  Add the eggs to your bowl, and beat until the yolks and whites are mixed thoroughly.  Add the sugar and beat until it is light and fluffy.  While the mixer is still going (but not too high), slowly add the oil.  You want it to incorporate as you're pouring and not have a big glop of oil you have to incorporate later.

Add the cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and nutmeg.  Mix thoroughly to combine, then add the flour in two batches, stirring gently between each addition.  Add the zucchini, stirring just until it's incorporated.

Grease two loaf pans, and pour half the batter into each pan.  Bake at 325 degrees for 50-60 minutes, until a tester comes out clean.  Cool for ten minutes in the pans, then turn out onto cooling racks.  Cool thoroughly, then slice.  The bread freezes beautifully (I remember how much I used to love eating the bread straight from the freezer), and it will keep for several days tightly wrapped.  If it lasts that long.

Slices of zucchini bread

Enjoy this and more with Blessed With Grace and Tempt My Tummy Tuesday.

5 comments:

Tara R. July 31, 2012 at 6:06 PM  

I really like zucchini bread, but that is one huge squash!

Anonymous August 2, 2012 at 3:01 AM  

Looks yummy! Must try this :)

Pat August 2, 2012 at 5:58 PM  

You have been a busy baker! I've been harvesting lots of zucchini and yellow squash and so I've been making lots of zucchini bread, dark chocolate chip zucchini bread, and chocolate zucchini bread with choc chips. I try to pick the zukes before they pass the 24-inch length and 4-inch diameter, but sometimes they just get away from me!

Sandra August 4, 2012 at 12:04 AM  

So timely! My SIL just brought me a zucchini and a yellow squash. I guess I'm baking some Z bread next week!

Michelle August 7, 2012 at 11:29 AM  

Tara - I like zucchini bread, too, but yikes holy cow! Right?

Pat - It was good. I actually brought some of the muffins to BlogHer with me, and oh I should have sent some with Melisa and Liz! So sad that I missed you :(

Pat - I have been. I'm intrigued by adding the chocolate to it. i may have to try them. And yes- picking them early is key. It's amazing how fast they grow once they start.

Sandra - Bake away. What are you going to do with your yellow squash?

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