Recipes

[Carol1229]

OH YES I'm still on a zucchini bread creating/baking kick. As long as the garden is willing to give me zucchini, I'm more than happy to use it in SOMETHING.

I've made a lot of different zucchini bread flavors but had never used bananas in any of them. There were 4 bananas left on the counter with a note "DO NOT TOUCH" on them so Bob wouldn't eat them-he has a tendency to do that when I plan on baking with them-when I DON'T have a plan he doesn't touch them-go figure...all I needed was to come up with a recipe.

I knew I wanted to use instant banana cream pudding in the bread.......and then started thinking about what else to add.........and it came to me. How about some of the ingredients used in a banana split? I don't eat them but I know pretty much what goes on them so off I went to dig out ingredients.

I had gotten some dried strawberries for a good price at Aldi's a month or so ago-and for the life of me can't remember what recipe I was going to use them in. I decided rather than use fresh strawberries I'd use the dried ones....I had enough moisture heading into that bread with the squash, bananas and pineapple. They're buggers to chop just like dates are....I ended up spraying the knife with some nonstick cooking spray-that made the job easier.

I went back to my potato ricer for squeezing the excess liquid out of the shredded zucchini and it worked great on the crushed pineapple too.

Since I was using mashed banana in the bread too, I decided to cut the oil amount I usually use in half since you can substitute bananas for part of the oil in cooking. It worked great.....and I like being able to use a little less oil when I can.

What's a banana split without chocolate-so in went some mini chocolate chips.

I decided to make muffins instead of breads-just for a change. I got 18 regular size muffins out of the first batch........they were good but.........lacking something.

I waited for Bob to get home and try one-he said the same......good but something is missing. Then I asked him what he has on a banana split? He had to think about it because it's been so long.......then he brought up 2 ingredients I didn't think of.........maraschino cherries because what's a banana split without a cherry or 2 on top? and he said since he doesn't care for pineapple topping, he opts for marshmallow topping. AHA..........

Back to the drawing board.......I kept everything the same as in batch #1 BUT added chopped maraschino cherries and mini marshmallows that I cut in half in the second batch-and I decided with all those goodies that mini loaves were in order.

This batch is a WINNER.......there are SO many levels of flavor going on. The banana flavor isn't overpowering-I think it's just right. In one bite you might get a burst of strawberry flavor from the dried strawberries, then in another a hint of pineapple and maraschino cherry, and of course chocolate. The marshmallows sort of melted into the bread-they add a nice little touch of sweetness.

I'm VERY happy with the way this recipe turned out. It was fun to make-and more fun to eat! Bob said he liked this one much better than the first try.

I don't see me slowing down making things with zucchini-I've got plenty of recipes using it that I want to try and still have a few ideas for zucchini bread.

This recipe is another one that has taken up residence in my favorite zucchini breads file.

Carol


BANANA SPLIT ZUCCHINI BREAD

3 eggs, lightly beaten
1 c. granulated sugar
1/2 c. vegetable OR canola oil
2 medium bananas, mashed (about 3/4 cup)
2 tsp. vanilla nut OR pure vanilla extract
2 c. shredded zucchini
1 (8 oz.) can crushed pineapple in juice, well drained
3 c. all-purpose flour
1 (4 serving size) pkg. banana creme instant pudding mix
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1/3 c. chopped maraschino cherries
1 (4 oz.) pkg. dried strawberries, chopped into small pieces (about 3/4 cup)*
1/2 c. mini chocolate chips
3/4 c. miniature marshmallows, cut in half
Raw sugar for sprinkling over top, optional

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease (2) 9x5-inch OR (6) 5x3-inch loaf pans; set aside.

Shred zucchini using on the large whole side of a box grater. Place the shredded zucchini in a mesh strainer to drain; set aside while assembling other ingredients.

In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, sugar, oil, mashed banana and extract.

With your hands (or a potato ricer), squeeze all the excess moisture you can out of the shredded zucchini, then stir it into egg mixture along with the drained crushed pineapple.

In a medium bowl. whisk together the flour, banana pudding mix, baking soda, baking powder and salt; stir in the chopped cherries, dried strawberries, mini chocolate chips and marshmallow, tossing to coat. Add the flour mixture to the egg/zucchini mixture, stirring just until combined.

Divide batter between the prepared pans. Sprinkle the top of each loaf liberally with raw sugar. Bake @ 350 degrees for 45-60 minutes for the large loaves and 30-40 minutes for the smaller loaves, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Let breads cool in pans on wire rack for 15 minutes; remove from pans to wire rack and cool completely, Makes 2 large or 6 small loaves.

*NOTE: You can substitute 3/4 c. diced fresh strawberries for the dried strawberries-just make sure to pat them dry before adding them to the batter.