Zucchini Bread

We harvested a lot of monster zucchini from our garden this summer.  There were only two plants but they had so many fruits we could not keep up.  We tried cooking zucchini many ways--baked, boiled, grilled, dried, stir-fried and even pickled.  My sister came up with a zucchini bread recipe that was a hit at home. It was very moist but a little on the sweet side so you can reduce the sugar if you wish.

 Zucchini bread
1-1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking soda
2 eggs
1 cup brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla
3/4 cup oil
1/2 cup shredded zucchini
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350 F
In a bowl combine flour, cinnamon, salt, baking soda and set aside. Beat eggs and sugar till light and fluffy, add vanilla and oil and mix till well blended. Add the flour mixture, then the zucchini and nuts. Make sure everything is blended thoroughly. Place batter in a loaf pan and bake for about 1 hour or until done. To test for doneness, insert a wooden skewer at the center of the loaf then take it out.  If it comes out clean, then it's fully cooked.  If partly cooked batter clings to the skewer then it needs to bake a little longer. Cool zucchini bread in the loaf pan for 30 minutes or so then cut and serve.

Healthy Zucchini Boat "Pizzas" and Two $50 Hormel Coupons Giveaway

Food Buzz Tastemaker Program sent me some coupons for Hormel meat products and samples of Hormel Turkey Pepperoni Minis.  I used the pepperoni for this healthy no fuss recipe that is cooked in the microwave. Cut up into smaller pieces, these zucchini boat "pizzas" can easily be served as side dish or appetizer. You can find the recipe and details for two $50 Hormel coupon giveaway at the end of this post (scroll down).

  

Healthy Zucchini Boat "Pizzas" 

8 zucchini, cut in half lengthwise (to create zucchini boats)
1/4 c carrot, finely diced
3 mushrooms, finely diced
1/4 c cilantro, finely miced
3 slices American cheese, finely diced or 1/2 c shredded sharp cheese
1/2 c Parmesan cheese
1/4 c green onions, finely minced
1/4 c Hormel Turkey Mini Pepperoni

Spray a microwave-safe baking dish with cooking spray.
Use a teaspoon to carve out a groove down the center of each zucchini boat.
To make the stuffing, mix carrots, mushrooms, cilantro, green onion, Hormel turkey mini pepperoni, Parmesan and American/sharp cheese. Feel free to adjust this recipe if you want more cheese or more pepperoni or any other ingredient.  Divide stuffing among the zucchini boats and place stuffed zucchini boats in the microwave-safe baking dish.
Microwave on high for 3 minutes.  Check if the zucchini is tender. Microwave again at short intervals till the zucchini is soft.  The zucchini "pizzas" will be VERY HOT! Let cool for a few minutes before serving. 

To enter the Hormel Coupon Giveaway:

Simply answer this question in the comment section:  What is your favorite no fuss, go-to appetizer or side dish?  You can also email your answer to: momgateway@gmail.com so I can get in touch with you should you win.
There will be two winners for the $50 Hormel coupons (Cure 81 Ham products).  Drawing date will be November 15.