What to do With Zucchinni

Do you ever find yourself with so much zucchini that you just don't know what to do with it all? This is often a problem for many people who have a garden or know someone who does. Maybe you went to your parents' house for the weekend and found yourself driving home with a car full of long, dark green vegetables. On the other hand, you may have bought some on your last trip to the store thinking that it would be a healthy addition to your diet. Whatever the case, the question is what to do with all of your zucchini once you get it home.

First of all, don’t underestimate the greatness of zucchini. The nutritional value of zucchini makes it a great choice to help with weight loss and to increase optimal health. Not only is it low in calories, sodium, saturated fat, and cholesterol, but it is also a great source of essential vitamins and minerals. For more information on the nutritional value of zucchini visit: http://www.great-workout.com/nutrition/vegetables/zucchini-nutrition-facts.cfm.

Zucchini is a great vegetable but many people struggle knowing what to do with it. Here are just a few great and easy ways to use up that zucchini so it doesn’t go to waste.

ZUCCHINI CASSEROLE

What you need:

Zucchini

1 can of cream of chicken soup

Cheddar cheese

Bread, toasted and cut into 1” squares

Garlic salt

Cooked chicken (for a heartier meal)

Onion (optional)

What you do:

Poke holes in zucchini several times with a fork. Cook in microwave for 6-10 minutes (depending on size of zucchini) or until soft. Cut it up into 1” cubes; the skin can be left on as long as it is not tough. Warm up cream of chicken soup on stove top or in microwave. Also, if using onions, cook them until tender; it is easiest to cook them in the microwave in a small bowl of water for 1-2 minutes. Meanwhile, you can be toasting the bread and cutting it up. While bread is still warm, place in a casserole dish and sprinkle with garlic salt. Then mix in zucchini, soup, chicken, and onion. Sprinkle cheese on top and cook in microwave or oven until cheese is melted.

ZUCCHINI CAKE

½ C margarine

½ C oil

1 ¾ C sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

½ C sour milk

2 ½ C flour

4 tbsp cocoa

1 tsp baking soda

½ tsp baking powder

½ tsp cinnamon

½ tsp salt

2 C zucchini (peeled and shredded)

¼ C chocolate chips

¼ C brown sugar

¼ C nuts (optional)

Preheat oven to 325 F. Cream together margarine, oil, and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla, and beat until well blended. Add dry ingredients (flour, cocoa, soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt), and alternate with sour milk. Mix in shredded zucchini. Spread mixture into a greased 9x13” pan. In a small bowl, mix together chocolate chips, brown sugar, and nuts. Sprinkle this over top of cake. Bake for 40-45 minutes.