Today I picked the first zucchini of the season from my garden. Two beautiful, lusciously green, ripe zucchinis. I really couldn’t be more excited. I was so excited in fact, I called my husband and text messaged my mom and dad about it. It may seem silly to some, my excitement over some fruit (yes, according to Wiki Answers, botanically zucchini is a fruit, while in common and culinary use it is a vegetable), but this has been our first go at growing our own organic fruits and vegetables, and seeing the fruits of our labor so to speak, is very exciting.
So in honor of my lovely little harvest, I thought I would share my recipe for zucchini nut bread. I love zucchini bread – with nuts or without, it makes a wonderful breakfast, dessert, or any-time snack. It’s delicious, nutritious, and is something that my kids will most happily eat.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup finely shredded unpeeled zucchini
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil (I use canola)
- 1/4 teaspoon finely shredded lemon peel
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (or any nuts of your choice – nuts are optional)
Directions:
In a mixing bowl stir together flour, cinnamon, baking soda, salt, nutmeg, and baking powder; set aside.
In a large mixing bowl beat together sugar, shredded zucchini, and egg. Next, add oil and lemon zest, mixing well. Add flour mixture to zucchini mixture, mixing well until thoroughly moistened.
Fold in nuts, if using, and pour into a greased 8x4x2 inch loaf pan (or any loaf pan of equivalent size).
Bake in a 350 degree oven for approximately 55-60 minutes, or until a knife inserted at the center comes out clean. Let cool 10 minutes. Remove from pan and allow to cool completely before slicing.
Note: While baking, I turn the loaf and cover with aluminum foil about halfway through the baking time, or when the bread looks golden brown. This ensures even baking, and helps to prevent the bread from becoming burned. Enjoy! Peace. 
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Michelle
I'm a lover of life and all things natural and organic. I love practicing yoga, making healthy foods, nature photography, DIY projects, making homemade beauty treats, and creating handmade jewelry. I'm passionate about a lot of things and write about them here on my blog. Peace, social justice, good food, green beauty, sustainable living - you name it, I care about it. Thanks for taking the time to visit me. Peace. ;)
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It is isn’t it? Nothing tastes better than eating something you’ve grown yourself. Now I can really appreciate all of the hard work my parents and grandparents put into the food I ate (and took for granted) growing up. Thanks so much for stopping by. Peace.
Michelle recently posted..Summertime
I know how you feel when you had first harvested your first produce. I too was overly excited back then to the extent of not cooking it. I just thought of preserving it. LOL. But my husband coerced me to cook it since it is much more fulfilling to eat your own produce.