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Friday, July 27, 2012

Adventures in the Kitchen: Zucchini in a Dessert?!

It is about this time every summer when the zucchini plants start producing delicious zucchinis....at an alarming rate! Every summer at my local farmer's market there are a few weeks of "zucchinis for $1" and "free zucchini with every purchase" because they just have so many! I have lots of ways to prepare zucchini, but today I wanted to share with you Daniel's favorite way to eat zucchini. We call it Zucchini Creme Bars - but you would never guess that the main ingredient was zucchini (well, the green color may give it away, but not the taste!) I got the original recipe from his sister, and have made a few adjustments along the way.




Ingredients
Crust Layer:
1 c. flour
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. butter
1/4 t. salt
1/2 t. cinnamon


Creme Layer
2 medium zucchini's (about 3 c. when cooked)
1 can of evaporated milk (12 oz. can)
1/4 c. milk
2 eggs
1 c sugar
1 t. vanilla
1/2 T. butter
4 T flour




1) Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Slice and cook the zucchini - I just boil mine in a pot of water. Drain zucchini well and set aside.

2) Mix all dry CRUST ingredients together and cut in butter. I don't have a pastry cutter, so I like to use my cheese grater.


3) Press crust into the bottom of a lightly greased 9X13 baking dish and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar.


4) Combine cooked zucchini and the remaining CREME layer ingredients in a blender (or bowl if you are using an stick blender like I did). Blend until no large chunks of zucchini remain. It will be very runny - don't worry! That's how it is supposed to look!

5) Pour cream layer over crust and bake for 50 min at 350 degrees or until the middle of the dish is firm and only jiggles slightly when the pan is moved.

6) Remove from oven and let cool to room temperature, store in the refrigerator.
Slice and serve when you are read for your serving of veggies!

What is your favorite way to eat zucchini?




21 comments:

  1. I would never have thought to make bars out of savoury ingredients!

    Visiting via the Pomp Party linkup :)

    Sarah
    http://acatlikecuriosity.blogspot.co.uk/

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  2. My husband would die for these! They look amazing! Thanks for sharing at the Pomp Party! Pinning to our Pomp Party board!

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  3. Is this another gluten-free recipe?
    Just wondering....

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  4. These look yummy. I've been enjoying it sliced with parmesan cheese and baked in the oven.

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  5. These look so yummy. I love zucchini, yet I don't eat much of it:(

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  6. I've seen zucchini bread, but never have a seen something like this. I'm excited to try it! :) New follower on GFC. Would love a follow back! Yay for being blog friends!

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  7. Stopped by to say hi from the blog hop.
    Come visit me sometime the tea is cold and no shoes are required.
    http://www.southernmadeintheshade.blogspot.com Kathy B.

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  8. Oh how I love zucchini 'surprise' recipes....I've made many of them, but this is new to me, so it's being added to my to try list now....thanks so much for sharing.

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  9. I've never seen anything like this before, however it looks divine! I can't wait to try it because I love finding new ways to sneak in some extra veggies! Thanks so much for sharing at Mix it up Monday :)

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  10. What an interesting recipe! Stopping over from Show Off Monday. Come visit me at jugglingactmama.blogspot.com

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  11. If you can make zuchinni as a dessert look that good then i'm pretty sure you can solve world hunger! I'm glad I stumbled on your blog from the made with love Link up!

    -Milynn
    Love and Whimsy

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  12. could you please clarify, in your recipe you say condensed milk, but in the photo you have evaporated milk. Which is correct for the recipe?

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    Replies
    1. Oh, goodness! I'm so sorry for the typo - thank you for noticing! It is evaporated milk (NOT condensed milk). I just corrected it :)

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    2. I'm not sure why I'm set as no reply. Weird!

      I want to plant zucchini next year so I'm stock piling recipes now.

      Thanks for sharing your recipe! :)

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  13. Great post. I found you via the Tuesday Talent Show from Chef in Training
    I have linked a pizza I did with leftover roast chicken. Have a good week.

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  14. awesome! how did they taste?? i love zucchini stuff so always looking for unique recipes! thanks for sharing.

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  15. Looks great! There are so many great ways to use zucchini in desserts..I have an amazing one for zucchini brownies..yum!

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  16. This sounds strangely good. I will definitely never think of zucchini the same again! I would love for you to share at Gettin' Krafty With It!

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  17. Thanks for stopping by CountryMommaCooks and linking up at our Saturday Link and Greet Party...hope to see you again tonight : )
    Deana @ CountryMommaCooks

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  18. What a fantastic way to use up extra zucchini's!!! Now I wish we had planted some this year!!!1

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  19. On my pizza! But, I will have to try this.

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