All About Zucchini

This summer provided me with an enormous amount of Zucchini.

 This gave me the opportunity to try out some delicious zucchini recipes. Here are some of my favorites (many of them were recreated multiple times this summer).

Zucchini Walnut Bread

I know some people are apprehensive to put Zucchini in bread, but the amazing thing about this squash is that it does not have much of it's own taste. It just creates a banana bread texture.
This is a bread machine recipe that is easy and quick.
You will need:
1/3 cup vegetable oil
3/4 cup shredded zucchini
2 eggs
1/3 cup brown sugar
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 1/2 cup flour
3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/3 cup chopped walnuts

Put ingredients in this order in your bread machine, set to quick bake. Vola! You have a warm tasty loaf of bread to share with friends and family. This bread is also tasty with peanuts or no nuts.

Black Bean & Zucchini Quesadillas

What you need:

1/2 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained

2 tablespoons salsa- I did not have salsa on hand so I just chopped up my garden tomatoes and added Salsa Brava Hot Sauce

1/2 cup finely chopped zucchini

Tortillas

Shredded cheddar cheese

Preparation:

Combine beans and salsa in a small bowl; mash with a fork. Stir in zucchini.

Butter or oil a tortilla, lay on warm skillet.

Put bean mixture on tortilla and sprinkle with cheese. Cover with another buttered tortilla.

Cook until cheese is melted and both sides are golden brown. 

Zucchini with Corn and Cilantro

This has become my favorite summer snack. It is so delicious and healthy!

What you need:

1 teaspoon olive oil

3 1/2 cups cubed zucchini

1 cup frozen whole-kernel corn(I used about 2 cups of corn)

1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro

1 teaspoon fresh lime juice(also tasty with lemon juice)

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Preparation:

Heat oil in large skillet. Add zucchini and corn; cook, stirring occasionally, 7 to 8 minutes or until zucchini is crisp-tender.

Remove from heat, and stir in cilantro and remaining ingredients.

Enjoy with your favorite chips!