Tuesday, August 30, 2016

More Zucchini Toast & Zucchini Brownies


I found a huge zucchini in the garden yesterday--forgot to mention it.  I really don't know how these things happen.  I spent quite a bit of time in the garden the day before (watering) and it wasn't there.
So, I grated it up (plus a buddy or two of smaller size) to fill the large frying pan to make more zucchini butter.  Shredded zucchini, shredded onion, oil or butter.  Fry till it's soft and "buttery" and beginning to brown on the bottom.  I let mine brown more.

And because (joy, joy) I am now testing chocolate--I shredded up another zucchini off the counter and made zucchini brownies.  I have made this recipe in years past.  Sometimes it works beautifully and turns out like a dense fudge brownie.  Other times--it's just a wet mess.  I am hoping it's fudgey.
I thought of the brownie recipe just moments before I was going to dump the shreds into the frying pan.  I haven't had a chocolate treat since Christmas. (it seems).

I used this recipe (from somewhere): ½ cup oil for fudgey OR ½ cup yogurt for cakelike brownies (not both) . 1.5 cups sugar.  I always use half what recipe calls for.  2 cups flour (I used King Arthur Gluten free), ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 1.5 teas. Baking soda, .5 teas salt and 2 cups squeezed dry shredded zucchini.  I mix it all together with my hands.  Like kneading bread dough.  9 inch square pan  for 45 minutes at 350. (I now wish I had added some chopped walnuts).

So---I am testing chocolate.  This isn't as big a deal as it would be for most people.  I can go without chocolate.  But what I actually crave is a dessert.  Something sweet and chewy.  The Larabar is a good dessert.  Vanilla Dairy Queen cones are a lovely dessert (I have been having them all along without any problems).  But a brownie is a most excellent dessert.

I am cooking today (tomatoes roasting for sauce for freezer), the zucchini butter, the brownies.  And I am doing laundry.  Washing curtains, gardening clothing (G and I use up a lot of clothing), and slipcovers.  I vacuumed the entire house Sunday.

I found two more nice peaches at the store (only 2) and will be making more peach blueberry smoothies.  They were excellent.  I also bagged up some raw cashews in the bulk food aisle. I have quite a bit of fruit in the freezer right now and feel "pressured" to be making smoothies everyday--if only to free up space for the roasted tomatoes.  But I have to finish off that lame cantaloupe smoothie first.

This would be a good time to work on "use what's in the freezer or cupboards" before going shopping.  But....that's how the cantaloupe smoothie happened.  Duh!  I may add a splash of lime juice to the jar of smoothie I have left.  Perk it up.  Perhaps drink it alongside the organic corn chips with sea salt.  Very sturdy and hardly any salty taste.

Did any of you see and "hear" what our lovely Governor said on a phone message this week?  They think it's a substance abuse problem or "impairment"--my friends from Boston call it "being mental".


No comments: