Zucchini Lovers Recipes

Garden overflowing? Good sale at the supermarket? Doctor says eat more veggies? It doesn't matter why you have so much zucchini, here are 5 quick and tasty ways you can serve it up tonight!

Zucchini Fritters
2 medium zucchini
1 cup biscuit mix
2 eggs
1 Tbsp. minced garlic
½ tsp. seasoned salt
Vegetable oil

Grate the zucchini. Place in a thin, clean kitchen towel and squeeze until dry. Combine all ingredients except oil in a medium bowl. Heat ½ inch of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Use an ice cream scoop to measure portions into the oil. Fry until golden brown, about 3 minutes, then turn and fry for another 3 minutes. Remove to paper towels to drain excess oil. Serve immediately with sour cream. Makes 4 to 6 servings. (Batter may be refrigerated for up to 3 days.)

Zucchini Muffins
3 ¼ cups flour
3 cups sugar
1 ½ tsp. salt
2 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 cup vegetable oil
1/3 cup water
4 eggs, beaten
3 medium zucchini

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grate the zucchini. Place in a thin, clean kitchen towel and squeeze until dry. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Place baking papers in muffin pan. Fill papers 2/3 full. Bake for 25 minutes, or until toothpick inserted into the center of one muffin comes out clean. Allow the muffins to cool in the pan for 2 minutes, then place them on a cooling rack. Makes 36 muffins. (Variations - add 1 cup chopped nuts or 1 cup chocolate chips.)

Fish and Zucchini Packets
2 medium zucchini, sliced into ¼ inch coins
1 Tbsp. minced garlic
6 Tbsp. butter, softened
2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
4 tilapia fillets (or any fish you like)
Salt

Move the oven rack to the lowest position. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Mix butter, garlic, and lemon juice together in a small bowl. Cut eight 12-inch pieces of foil and lay four of them on the countertop. Divide the zucchini evenly among the four pieces. Shingle the zucchini in 2 rows in the middle of the foil and season it with salt. Dry the fish with paper towels and lay it on top of the zucchini. Spread ¼ of the butter mixture on the fish. Place a second piece of foil on top of the fish and fold and crimp the edges to form the packet. Repeat with remaining fish fillets. Place the packets on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake for about 20 minutes, or until the fish flakes easily. Serve over brown rice. Makes 4 servings.

Creamy Spaghetti with Zucchini
4 medium zucchini, cut into bite-size chunks
1 Tbsp. minced garlic
2 Tbsp. butter
1 29-ounce can diced tomatoes
1 cup heavy cream
½ pound spaghetti (or linguine, fettuccine, etc.)

Cook spaghetti according to the package directions. Meanwhile, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the zucchini and cook for about 5 minutes, tossing occasionally. Add the garlic and toss for 1 more minute. Place the zucchini in a bowl. To the same pan, add the tomatoes and simmer for 5 minutes. Add the heavy cream and simmer for another 5 minutes. Drain spaghetti, reserving ½ cup of the cooking water. Put the spaghetti back into the pot and add the tomato-cream mixture, the zucchini, and the pasta water. Toss until evenly coated. Serve with grated parmesan cheese. Makes 4 servings.

Stuffed Zucchini Boats
2 medium zucchini
½ pound bulk sausage, browned and drained
1 cup brown rice, cooked
1 cup pasta sauce
½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Slice the zucchini lengthwise and scoop out the seeds. Place them on a foil lined baking sheet. Combine the sausage, rice, and pasta in a bowl. Fill the zucchini centers with the mixture and sprinkle with the mozzarella cheese. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until the cheese is melted. Makes 4 servings.

I created these recipes because I accidentally planted a few too many zucchini plants this year. And when I couldn't see my countertop anymore, something had to be done. My favorite? The fritters, hands down. On the other hand, there are only 3 people in my house, and I have to make the muffins twice a week because they go so fast! (Even my picky 8 year old loves them.)

Try them all and see which one earns smiles in your house. Enjoy!