Zucchini, a member of the cucumber and melon family, is a variety of summer squash developed in Italy and most likely introduced to America by Italian immigrants. The word zucchini means comes from the Italian word zucca, meaning “squash.” The addition of the diminutive suffix -ini modifies its meaning to "small squash." Botanically classified as a fruit, zucchini is treated as a vegetable in culinary contexts. The first record of this versatile “vegetable” in the United States dates back to the early 1920s. Like most quick breads, zucchini bread became popular in the 1960s when it was promoted as a healthier alternative to other desserts. April 25 is National Zucchini Bread Day.
Recipe Servings: 10
Ingredients
- Shortening, as needed to grease the pan
- 2 cups grated zucchini (about 2 medium-sized zucchinis)
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- ⅛ tsp ground cloves
- ¼ cup (½ stick) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- ¾ cup brown sugar, packed
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 1½ tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup walnuts or pecans, chopped (optional)
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Grease an 8 x 4-inch loaf pan with shortening and set it aside.
- Using cheesecloth or a linen-free kitchen towel, squeeze the excess water out of the shredded zucchini and set it aside.
- Whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves in a medium bowl. Set aside.
- Combine the melted butter, oil, brown sugar, sugar, egg, and vanilla in a large bowl. Stir until smooth and then stir in the grated zucchini.
- Add the dry ingredients (and nuts if desired) to the wet ingredients and stir until just combined. Don’t over mix.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan.
- Bake the batter for 50–60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes before turning it out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
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