It's zucchini season! Since I'm picking daily now, I thought those who grow it, too, needed a reminder of a couple of yummy ways to use up that zucchini, just in case you can't give it away.
I only grow zucchini for a couple of reasons: relish and bread. Zucchini relish is a rich upgrade from the standard cucumber relish. It's so good, I can eat it alone on a slice of bread.
And speaking of bread, my dark chocolate zucchini bread is also rich in flavor and dense like a fine dessert. It freezes well, so you can make it as you harvest and you'll have a bounty for the winter. Zucchini shouldn't get such a bad rap when it gives you relish and bread.
Zucchini Relish
• 4 cups shredded zucchini
• 3 cups shredded carrots
• 4 1/2 cups chopped onions
• 1 1/2 cups chopped red or green peppers
• 1/4 cup salt
• 2 1/4 cups vinegar
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon celery seed
• 1 tablespoon dill seed
• 3/4 teaspoon dry mustard
Directions:
In a large kettle, combine all the ingredients well and cook for 30 minutes or until the vegetables are tender. Process the mixture in a hot water bath as directed for 20 minutes. This recipe makes 4 to 5 pints.
•••
Chocolate Zucchini Bread
• 2 2/3 cups sugar
• 2/3 cup oil (avocado oil works well)
• 3 cups shredded zucchini (about two medium zucchinis)
• 2/3 cup water
• 4 eggs
• 3 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon cloves
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1 cup chocolate chips (plus extra to sprinkle on top)
Directions:
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Grease your loaf pans and set them aside. In a large bowl, mix the sugar and oil together, then stir in the shredded zucchini, water and eggs.
Next, mix in the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, cloves and vanilla until well combined. Stir in the chocolate chips.
Pour the batter evenly into the prepared loaf pans and sprinkle a few extra chocolate chips on top if desired. Bake for one hour, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Allow the bread to cool before slicing.
