It's a rainy and almost chilly 4th of July in the desert today, and it's got me in the mood for warm, gooey, home-made bread. Plus, I just picked fresh zucchini from my garden and want to use it. Here's a recipe that fits the bill!
1 cup zucchini (grated or finely chopped)
1 1/2 cup ripe bananas
1/2 cup applesauce
1 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon nutmeg
2 teaspoons orange peel
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 tablespoon cinnamon
1/2 tablespoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Spray non-stick olive oil spray in a small bread pan. Use a whisk to stir together zucchini, bananas, applesauce, sugar and vanilla, making sure to eliminate chunks of banana. Add all remaining ingredients and stir until batter forms. Pour into bread pan and bake for 50 minutes or until the toothpick test shows it's done.
This bread will give your entire home that something-delicious-is-in-the-oven fragrance. And if you don't have a willing sous-chef around to help, lick the batter yourself.
Happy Independence Day!
