ZUCCHINI BREAD TO DIE FOR

(I forgot to photo-document the baking process, so I stole this cute picture from this fun food blog)

Zucchini: Good.

Bread: Delicious.

Zucchini Bread: The bomb.

Especially this recipe. I've passed over it multiple times in my Joy of Vegan Baking cookbook, but zucchini isn't usually something I just have on hand. When I saw it at the store last weekend, though, it looked so fresh and green and that zucchini bread recipe that I've been so rudely avoiding was calling my name.

My recipe made 3 mini loaves. I left half a loaf with the Mom and Dad for tasting and took the other 2 and a half loaves into work at 9 a.m. monday morning. Literally, I kid you not, all traces of zucchini bread were devoured by 10 a.m. I don't say this to brag, but rather to prove how good this recipe really is...and easy! My Mom makes the best Zucchini Bread I've ever had (maybe the only kind I've ever had, but still the best) and I'd go as far as to say that this recipe gives the Mom's a good run for its' money! (sorry mom...)

Zucchini Bread
Makes 2 standard loaves.

(or 4 minis)

Ingredients:

3T ground flaxseed

1/2c water

1c canola oil (I used 1/2c oil and 1/2c unsweetened applesauce)

1T white distilled vinegar

2c granulated sugar (so sweet; I used 1 1/2c)

2c grated zucchini

2t vanilla extract

3c unbleached all-purpose or whole wheat pastry flour

2t ground cinnamon

1/2t nutmeg

1t baking soda

1/4t baking powder

1t salt

1/2c chopped walnuts (optional)

1/2c raisins (optional)

 

Preheat oven to 325F (170C). Lightly grease two 8x4x2 inch loaf pans (or 4 mini-loaf pans).

Combine flaxseed meal and water; whip in a blender until thick and creamy. Add oil (oil/applesauce blend), vinegar and sugar - mix well. Add zucchini and vanilla, mix well. In a separate bowl, sift together all dry ingredients. Stir in walnuts and raisins if using. Stir the dry mixture into the wet mixture until just combined; do not over mix.

Divide the batter evenly into the loaf pans and bake for 60 to 70 minutes for large loaf pans or 35-45 minutes for mini loaf pans.

Now go try it and let me know how you like it!