Zucchini bread is a moist, delicious treat. It’s made with ingredients you likely have on hand. This recipe makes two loaves, perfect for enjoying one and freezing the other.
Grated zucchini adds moisture to the bread. There’s no need to peel medium or small zucchini. The recipe is easy to make and requires minimal prep time.
Zucchini bread can be stored on the counter for up to 2 days. Or, it can be frozen for longer storage.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- Zucchini bread is a versatile quick bread that can be enjoyed fresh or frozen for later.
- The recipe calls for grated zucchini, which adds moisture and flavor to the bread.
- Zucchini bread can be stored at room temperature for up to 2-3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- Baking temperature for the zucchini bread is 350 degrees Fahrenheit, with a baking time of 45 minutes.
- The recipe uses 100% whole wheat flour, baking powder, and baking soda as the key leavening agents.
Classic Zucchini Bread Recipe Essentials
Making the perfect healthy zucchini bread is all about the right mix of ingredients and methods. Whether you’re an experienced baker or new to zucchini recipes for summer, this classic quick bread is a must-try. We’ll cover the key ingredients and how to mix and bake them for the best results.
Perfect Ingredients and Measurements
The base of a great healthy zucchini bread starts with quality ingredients in the right amounts. You’ll need flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, and a bit of salt for the dry mix. For the wet mix, use eggs, grated zucchini, oil, and vanilla. Adding chopped walnuts or pecans can also add a nice crunch.
Mixing and Baking Techniques
For zucchini recipes for summer, mixing and baking are just as important as the ingredients. Mix the dry ingredients in one bowl and the wet in another. Then, gently combine them until just mixed. Pour into a loaf pan and bake at 350°F for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Storage and Freezing Tips
To keep your healthy zucchini bread fresh, store it at room temperature for 2 days. For longer storage, slice the bread and wrap it in plastic and foil before freezing. This way, you can enjoy the flavors of summer all year.
“The secret to the best zucchini bread is in the shredding technique. Use the larger holes on a box grater to get the perfect texture and moisture distribution.”
Handling Oversized Garden Zucchini
Dealing with oversized zucchini from your summer garden doesn’t have to be a challenge. These larger-than-life vegetables can be repurposed in various delectable recipes. To determine if the skin is suitable for cooking, try piercing it with your fingernail. If it’s too tough, peel the zucchini before using it.
For extra-large zucchini, simply cut them in half lengthwise and scoop out the spongy middle or developing seeds. The remaining flesh can then be cubed or sliced, ready to be incorporated into stews, soups, stir-fries, and other savory dishes. Don’t let those garden giants go to waste – shred and freeze portions of the zucchini to use in future batches of moist and flavorful zucchini bread.
| Tip | Application |
|---|---|
| Check skin toughness | Peel if too tough before using |
| Cut extra-large zucchini in half lengthwise | Scoop out spongy middle or seeds, then cube or slice remaining flesh |
| Shred and freeze portions | For future use in zucchini bread recipes |
With a little creativity and these simple techniques, you can transform those how to cook with large zucchini into delicious zucchini recipes for summer that the whole family will enjoy.
zucchini recipes zucchini bread record largest zucchini
When your summer garden yields an oversized zucchini, don’t let it go to waste! Turn these large, oblong squashes into tasty, low-carb dishes. You can make grilled zucchini “pizza” slices or cheesy zucchini strata. There are many ways to use your giant zucchini.
Grilled Zucchini Pizzas
Slice an extra-large zucchini lengthwise into thick, sturdy “pizza” slices. Grill or bake these zucchini “crusts” until tender. Then, top with tomato sauce, shredded mozzarella, and pepperoni. Bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly for a guilt-free pizza night.
Zucchini Strata
Hollow out the seeds from a giant zucchini, then slice it into thick rounds. Layer the zucchini slices in a baking dish with eggs, cheese, and fresh herbs. This cheesy zucchini strata is a hearty, low-carb casserole perfect for brunch or dinner.
Zucchini Boats and Cups
- Slice large zucchini crosswise into thick rounds, then scoop out the centers to create “boats” or “cups”.
- Fill the zucchini shells with ground meat, tomatoes, cheese, and seasonings for a tasty stuffed zucchini dish.
- Bake the filled zucchini boats until the squash is tender and the filling is hot and melted.
Don’t let your largest zucchini record recipe go to waste – get creative with these zucchini recipes for summer. Turn oversized zucchini into delicious, low-carb meals the whole family will love.
Tips for Perfect Moisture and Texture
To make a moist and tender zucchini bread, follow these expert tips. They will help your loaf turn out perfectly every time:
- Use small to medium-sized zucchinis or summer squash for best results. Larger vegetables can make the bread too watery.
- Make sure all your ingredients, including eggs and oil, are at room temperature before mixing. This helps everything combine smoothly.
- Whisk the dry ingredients thoroughly to evenly distribute the flour, baking powder, and other powders. This prevents dense pockets in the baked bread.
- Be careful not to overmix the batter. Gently fold in the wet ingredients until just combined to keep the crumb light and airy.
- Check the bread early and bake just until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Overbaking can dry it out.
- Don’t squeeze excess moisture from the grated zucchini. The natural juices are essential for keeping the zucchini bread moist.
- For extra-large zucchini, scoop out the seedy center with a spoon before grating to prevent a soggy texture.
By following these simple tips, you can create a zucchini bread with the perfect balance of moisture and texture every time. Enjoy the comforting, hearty flavor of this nutritious quick bread!
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Whole-Wheat Flour | 100% of the recipe |
| Olive Oil | 2/3 cup (143 grams) |
| Grated Zucchini | 2 1/3 cups (from about 11 ounces) |
| Eggs | 2 large |
| Brown Sugar | 1/3 cup (71 grams) |
| Granulated Sugar | 1/3 cup (67 grams) |
| Kosher Salt | 3/4 teaspoon |
| Baking Powder | 1/2 teaspoon |
| Baking Soda | 1/2 teaspoon |
| Walnuts | 2/3 cup (75 grams) |
| Golden Raisins | 1/3 cup (53 grams) |
| Oats | 1/3 cup (33 grams) |
This zucchini bread recipe yields one loaf. It takes 40 minutes to prepare and 1 hour to cook. Each serving has about 328kcal, with 46g of carbs, 4g of protein, and 15g of fat.
Conclusion
The zucchini recipes and zucchini bread make the most of garden harvests, even with the biggest largest zucchini. You can enjoy everything from classic zucchini bread to zucchini boats and frittatas. These options work for both regular and oversized zucchini.
These recipes offer tasty, often low-carb ways to use up garden produce. They ensure no zucchini is wasted. Baking zucchini bread or making a savory dish from a giant zucchini is rewarding. It’s a chance to enjoy the vegetable’s health benefits, like vitamin C, potassium, fiber, and antioxidants.
Discovering zucchini recipes and techniques lets you add this garden staple to your meals. You can use it in everything from breakfasts to snacks. The goal is to use zucchini creatively, making your kitchen and table full of healthy, tasty, and sustainable dishes.
FAQ
What is the classic zucchini bread recipe?
The classic zucchini bread recipe has flour, sugar, and baking soda. It also includes cinnamon, salt, eggs, and grated zucchini. You’ll need vegetable oil and vanilla extract too. Chopped nuts are optional.
How can I use oversized zucchini in recipes?
Oversized zucchini can be used in many ways. First, check if the skin is tough. If so, peel it. For big zucchinis, cut them in half and remove the soft middle.
The rest of the zucchini can be cubed, sliced, or shredded. Use it in stews, soups, stir-fries, and more.
What are some creative ways to use giant zucchini?
Giant zucchini is great for grilled pizza slices and cheesy strata. It’s also good in soups, frittatas, and lasagna.
You can make zucchini boats too. Scoop out the flesh and fill with meat, tomato, and mozzarella.
How can I ensure perfect moisture and texture in zucchini bread?
For perfect zucchini bread, use small to medium zucchinis. Make sure all ingredients are at room temperature. Whisk dry ingredients to sift the flour.
Don’t overmix the batter. And don’t squeeze out the grated zucchini’s moisture. It’s needed for the bread.
Zucchini Bread
Equipment
- Loaf Pan
- Grater
- Mixing bowls
- Oven
Ingredients
- 2 1/3 cups grated zucchini from about 11 ounces
- 2/3 cup olive oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 100 % whole-wheat flour to make up 100% of the recipe
- 2/3 cup walnuts optional
- 1/3 cup golden raisins optional
- 1/3 cup oats optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a loaf pan or line it with parchment paper.
- In a mixing bowl, combine all the dry ingredients: whole-wheat flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and oats (if using).
- In another bowl, beat the eggs and add the oil, sugars, grated zucchini, and vanilla extract. Mix well.
- Gently fold the wet ingredients into the dry mixture until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
- Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow the zucchini bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.