Claudette's Kitchen- Zucchini Bread

Winning ways to whip up wellness!

Zucchini, a summer squash, is also known as courgette. Although zucchini is considered a vegetable it is botanically classified as a fruit. It comes in several varieties, which can range in color anywhere from yellow to a dark green. Zucchini is rich in many nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and other beneficial plant compounds. The young fruits are primarily cooked as vegetables.

Zucchinis tend to be a common staple in home gardens or if you have less of a green thumb, they can be found in supermarkets. The yellow flowers found on them are also edible, and can be fried or even stuffed with cheese. They freeze well and can be eaten toasted with cream cheese. For vegan/vegetarian diets they can also be used for baking a faux lasagna. Actually, there is also such a thing as “Zoodles”, zucchini noodles!

Many people who hear of zucchini bread, without ever having try it usually turn up their nose in disgust. Trust me on this, it is a treat absolutely worth giving a try! The perfect blend of spices, and sweetness. Since it contains zucchini ’s basically healthy…right? Ok, maybe not the healthiest snack out there…but it’s honestly too good not to indulge. At this point you must be dying to know how to go about making such a magnificent, delectable batch of this bread. Here’s the recipe that I follow, and its literally perfect every time!

2 cups of flour
2 tsp of baking powder
3/4 tsp of baking soda
1 3/4 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp allspice
4 eggs
1 1/2 cup sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
1 1/2 cup shredded unpeeled zucchini
3/4 cup of raisins
*TIP- combine all of the dry ingredients first and mix together before adding the wet ingredients.

Grease and lightly flour two loaf pans & pour mixture evenly into each.
Bake both pans at 350 degrees for one hour, or until golden & tanned. You can dip a toothpick in the center until it comes out clean to check if the middle is cooked through.

The next time your neighbor gives you zucchini from their garden that’s as big as a watermelon (this is how it goes for me at least) feel free to make some zucchini bread! Now that you have the tools to create the best zucchini bread out there, don’t forget to share.