Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread 

Chocolate chip zucchini bread is a delightful treat that combines the sweetness of chocolate with the subtle flavor and moisture of shredded zucchini. Here’s a simple recipe to make it:

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil or melted coconut oil
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups shredded zucchini (about 1 medium zucchini)
• 3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips, plus extra for topping

Instructions:

1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg until well combined. Set aside.
3. Prepare Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, beat the eggs lightly. Add the vegetable oil, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract. Mix until well combined.
4. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix. The batter will be thick.
5. Add Zucchini and Chocolate Chips: Gently fold in the shredded zucchini and chocolate chips until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
6. Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, spreading it out evenly. Sprinkle additional chocolate chips on top if desired. Bake in the preheated oven for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached.
7. Cool and Serve: Allow the bread to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, slice and serve.

Enjoy your delicious chocolate chip zucchini bread as a snack, dessert, or even for breakfast! The addition of zucchini adds moisture and nutrients, making this treat both tasty and somewhat nutritious.

Freezing Shredded Garden Zucchini

Shredding and freezing garden zucchini is a great way to preserve this versatile vegetable for later use in recipes such as zucchini bread, muffins, casseroles, and more. Here’s how you can shred and freeze zucchini in bags for convenient use:

Materials Needed:

• Fresh zucchini
• Box grater or food processor with grating attachment
• Large mixing bowl
• Freezer-safe bags or containers
• Marker for labeling

Instructions:

1. Wash and Prepare Zucchini: Start by washing the zucchini under cold running water to remove any dirt or debris. Trim off the stem ends.
2. Shred Zucchini: Using a box grater or a food processor fitted with a grating attachment, shred the zucchini into long, thin strands. If using a box grater, use the side with the larger holes for a coarser shred, or the smaller holes for a finer shred.
3. Drain Excess Moisture: Zucchini contains a lot of water, so it’s important to remove excess moisture before freezing to prevent the shredded zucchini from becoming too watery when thawed. Place the shredded zucchini in a large mixing bowl lined with a clean kitchen towel or several layers of paper towels. Squeeze the zucchini in the towel to extract as much liquid as possible.
4. Portion and Package: Once the excess moisture has been removed, portion the shredded zucchini into freezer-safe bags or containers. For convenience, you can portion the shredded zucchini based on the amount typically used in your recipes (e.g., 1 cup, 2 cups). Flatten the bags to remove any air and seal them tightly to prevent freezer burn. Alternatively, you can use small freezer-safe containers.
5. Label and Date: Use a marker to label each bag or container with the contents (shredded zucchini), quantity, and date of freezing. This will help you keep track of how much zucchini you have on hand and ensure you use it within a reasonable timeframe.
6. Freeze: Place the labeled bags or containers of shredded zucchini in the freezer. Arrange them in a single layer if possible to allow for quicker freezing. Once frozen, you can stack the bags or containers to save space.
7. Thaw and Use: When ready to use the shredded zucchini in your recipes, simply remove the desired amount from the freezer and thaw it in the refrigerator overnight or at room temperature for a few hours. Use the thawed zucchini in your favorite recipes just as you would fresh zucchini.

Video

@nikkilynn54311 Processing zucchini for freezer. This is our process for freezing #zucchini in freezer bags to use to make #zucchinibread throughout the year. 1.) wash zucchini. 2.) chop of both ends. We feed our dogs the ends as a treat. 3.) chop and shred the zucchini, there is no need to peel them. You can hand grate or use food processor for shredding. 4.) Measure out the cups needed for you recipe. 5.) Label bags 6.) fill bags, squeeze out air and seal. We like to lay them flat in freezer. 7.) Freeze 8.) Pull out zucchini the night before you want to make bread. Thaw. Dump bag into your bread batter. Hope this helps. #garden #freezingzucchini #vegetables #perserving #produce ♬ Take on Me – Mia Amare & Sarah Bird

By following these simple steps, you can easily shred and freeze zucchini to enjoy its fresh flavor and nutritional benefits in your recipes throughout the year.

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