Zucchini Bread
The perfect quick bread for the bountiful zucchini of mid-summer. The hint of cinnamon is a great addition to a flavorful bread that's great for breakfast, or as a snack. Loaves freeze very well.
Ingredients
- 3 cups flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 3 eggs
- 1/3 cup canola oil
- 1 tsp grated lemon zest
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 3 cups shredded zucchini (**see notes below)
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts, toasted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat 2 8"x4" loaf pans with cooking spray.
- Combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt and baking soda. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine eggs, sugar, oil, zest and vanilla. Whisk until combined.
- Add zucchini and stir until combined. Add flour mixture and stir just until combined. Fold in walnuts.
- Divide batter evenly between loaf pans. Bake for 50-55 minutes or until internal temperature is 190 degrees. Cool 10 minutes in pans; remove from pans and cool on wire rack.
Notes
- The best place to find zucchini is from your local farmer. Skip the skinny little ones–those are best for sauteing or grilling. You want the big ones for baking. I typically prep my zucchini the day that I buy it, and then refrigerate until I use it–1-2 days, or freeze it. Wash the zucchini and cut off the stem at either end. Using the large holes on a box grated, grate the entire zucchini. You’ll have a mound of very wet zucchini. Lay a thin kitchen towel on the counter–cotton or linen tea towels are great for this–and place the zucchini in the center. Roll up the zucchini inside and wring the towel over the kitchen sink. You’ll be amazed at the amount of liquid that will release. Carefully dump the zucchini onto a baking sheet or parchment lined counter. Let air dry for 30 minutes or so. Measure zucchini into portions and place in ziploc bags. I usually bag into 4 cup bags for Chocolate bread and 3 cup bags for regular zucchini bread. You can bake the day you prep, or refrigerate zucchini and use within 1-2 days.