National Sneak Some Zucchini on Your Neighbor's Porch Day

Believe it or not, today, August 8th is National Sneak Some Zucchini on Your Neighbor’s Porch Day!

Is that hilarious or what? 

If you don't live in a rural area or at least one where lots of people garden, this holiday may perplex you. Let me fill you in. Around here, and many parts of the country, it's about this time of year that we have zucchini running out of our ears! I have 5 large ones sitting on my counter right now and more that need picked. Then we always have those friendly, caring, giving neighbors who want to share their abundant zucchini crop with us too. It's not uncommon for me to have a box or two of zucchini that I have to do something with, quick. I have to get very creative with zucchini recipes! (You'd think we'd just plant less zucchini, but alas, no).

So, In honor of this most momentous holiday, I thought you might be interested in a few zucchini-centric recipes I received from Vitamix.

You can also visit Vitamix’s Zucchini page for more info:

http://www.vitamix.com/email/hh/2010/8/zucchini/index.asp?Coupon=05-0897-08-03

ZUCCHINI RECIPES

Zucchini Pesto Yield: 1 1/2-2 cups (360-480 ml)

1 1/2 pounds zucchini cut in 1” pieces

1-2 garlic cloves

1/4 cup packed fresh basil leaves

1/2 cup cashews

2 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves

1/2 cup (50 g) freshly shredded Parmesan

cheese

1/4 lemon peeled and seeded

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

Freshly ground black pepper, salt

NOTE: Turn this pesto into a hummus by

adding 1 14 ounce can (drained) cannellini

or garbanzo beans during blending.

Developed in collaboration with

Chef”s Garden.

1. Place cut zucchini into Vitamix container & secure lid.

2. Select Variable 5 and turn machine on. Coarsely chop

the zucchini using the tamper to press zucchini into

blades if necessary for 10-15 seconds. Stop machine

and scrape down the sides of the container and

fold larger pieces into the bottom of the container.

Continue for another 10 seconds.

3. Place the chopped zucchini into a strainer and mix in

2 teaspoons salt. Place strainer over a bowl and let

zucchini drain for 5-10 minutes. Stir and press zucchini

with the back of a large spoon to release as much

liquid as possible.

4. Add the drained zucchini and the rest of the

ingredients to the Vitamix container in order listed.

Secure lid.

5. Select Variable speed 1.

6. Turn machine on and quickly increase speed to

Variable 10 and then to High. Use tamper to press all

ingredients into the blades for 30-45 seconds.

7. Adjust seasonings to taste.

Zucchini Pancakes Yield: 3 1/4 cups (780 ml)

1/3 cup (80 ml) 1% milk

2 cups (250 g) chopped zucchini

3/4 cup (180 ml) egg substitute or 3 eggs

1/4 teaspoon salt (optional)

1/4 cup sugar or other sweetener, to taste

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon allspice

1 1/2 cups (180 g) whole wheat flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1. Place milk, zucchini, egg, salt, sweetener, cinnamon

and allspice into the Vitamix container and secure lid.

2. Select Variable 1.

3. Turn machine on and quickly increase speed to

Variable 4 or 5.

4. Blend for 10 seconds. Remove the lid plug. Add flour

and baking powder through the lid plug opening.

Replace lid plug.

5. Blend for 5-10 seconds or until mixed.

1/4 cup + 3 tablespoons (105 ml) olive oil

2 pounds (908 g) zucchini, sliced thin

1/2 cup (80 g) yellow onion, chopped

3 garlic cloves, peeled

2 teaspoons herbs de province

1/2 teaspoon salt

freshly ground black pepper, to taste

1/2 cup (120 ml) vegetable broth

1. Sauté zucchini, onion, garlic, herbs, salt and pepper in

3 tablespoons olive oil, for 5 minutes. Add vegetable

broth, cover and simmer for 7 minutes.

2. Place mixture into the Vitamix container and secure lid.

3. Select Variable 1.

4. Turn machine on and quickly increase speed to

Variable 3 or 4. If necessary, use the tamper to press

any ingredients into the blades while processing.

Remove the lid plug.

5. Blend for 1 minute while drizzling in remaining olive oil

through the lid plug opening. Return to sauté pan to

finish heating, if necessary.

Zucchini with Herbs De Provence Sauce Yield: 3 1/4 cups (780 ml)

1/4 cup + 3 tablespoons (105 ml) olive oil

2 pounds (908 g) zucchini, sliced thin

1/2 cup (80 g) yellow onion, chopped

3 garlic cloves, peeled

2 teaspoons herbs de province

1/2 teaspoon salt

freshly ground black pepper, to taste

1/2 cup (120 ml) vegetable broth

1. Sauté zucchini, onion, garlic, herbs, salt and pepper in

3 tablespoons olive oil, for 5 minutes. Add vegetable

broth, cover and simmer for 7 minutes.

2. Place mixture into the Vitamix container and secure lid.

3. Select Variable 1.

4. Turn machine on and quickly increase speed to

Variable 3 or 4. If necessary, use the tamper to press

any ingredients into the blades while processing.

Remove the lid plug.

5. Blend for 1 minute while drizzling in remaining olive oil

through the lid plug opening. Return to sauté pan to

finish heating, if necessary.

Here also is one of my favorite zucchini recipes from www.animalvegetablemiracle.com:

ZUCCHINI CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

(Makes about two dozen)

1 egg, beaten

½ cup butter, softened

½ cup brown sugar

1/3 cup honey

1 tbsp. vanilla extract

Combine in large bowl.

1 cup white flour

1 cup whole wheat flour

½ tsp baking soda

¼ tsp salt

¼ tsp cinnamon

¼ tsp nutmeg

Combine in a separate, small bowl and blend into liquid mixture

1 cup finely shredded zucchini

12 oz chocolate chips

Stir these into other ingredients, mix well. Drop by spoonful onto greased baking sheet, and flatten with the back of a spoon. Bake at 350°, 10 to 15 minutes.

Happy National Sneak Some Zucchini on Your Neighbor's Porch Day!! Excuse me while I go guard my porch so no zucchini gets snuck on there, hee hee hee.