WECIPE WEDNESDAY!

Okay, so I suppose you all have zucchini comin' out your ears by now......Now I, personally, didn't get it together to grow a garden this year so I am at the mercy of zucchini growers around me.....I don't think the growth has hit epic proportions as of yet in the neighborhood like the famous story about the town that they only have to lock their car doors and house doors during zucchini season....In fact, when I needed a zucchini for Jim's work event here last week I had to send Zach over to rob the Miners. It was fun telling him to just sneak into their backyard garden and grab some; "that they would never know". Being the obedient child that he is......he headed over. Of course I had asked Sharlene earlier that week she had said that they would be out of town but to just go on back and pick some. While he was there he saw lights go on and off so I guess I probably missed the dates that they were gone and poor Zach was a little freaked as he called from the cell phone. I assured him that it was okay and he quickly came home in tow with a couple of zucchinis.

Now I personally only like zucchini bread; not the vegetable itself. I have tried but.....oh well. When my friends are generous with their zucchini I like to grate it and put it in 2 cup packages. I then make "zucchini bread mix" in a freezer bag with the instructions on it. I put the dry mix bag taped with the grated zucchini bag and presto! Add wet ingredients and you are set all year round with zucchini bread. No excuses that it will take too long! Now if you like this idea, keep in mind that a sharpie is best. I one wrote the instructions on a piece of paper and taped it to the bag. The tape came off and just became lost in the freezer. So I just looked at the recipe and made it. Unfortunately, I had only made the mixes with the flour, spices and leavening....leaving out the sugar. Not very good I might add. So either make sure the instructions are clear or add the dang sugar to your mix........

So here is my favorite recipe for zucchini bread. It is from my dear friend, Lana. She makes a mean zucchini bread. I am sure she won't mind if I share!

Lana's Zucchini Bread

Mix together:

3 eggs
3 sups sugar
2 c grated zucchini
1 c vegetable oil
1 TB vanilla

Sift together: (Now Lana sifts. I do not. Her's is better - you make the choice)

1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1 T cinnamon
3 cups flour

Optional: Add 1 c chopped nuts

After it cools slightly, make a glaze with melted butter, powdered sugar, vanilla (or lemon zest/juice) and milk....brush or pour on loaves. Let dry.

Disclaimer: This is definitely a "fattening" recipe and there are ways I have tried to make it lower fat.....use your skills here. However, it is obviously best in it's original form as Lana makes it. Look at Lana. Look at me. No fair.

Enjoy!