CookWomanFood.com

Just came back from the garden and here we go again with the baseball bat zucchinis. I harvested quite a few small ones that will be perfect steamed as they are small and tender and will taste fantastic. The large ones, however, can be tough and not quite as flavorful. I like to utilize them in baked goods as I really don’t taste the zucchini in any of the breads and cakes I bake. They are used for adding moistness and texture as far as I am concerned. I recently purchased some of the large muffin tins. I decided to get these so that I could freeze individual muffins instead of a whole bread. I used to slice the breads and freeze them but that is a pain in the you know where. This way, if I need a quick breakfast they are there for the reaching! I used my zucchini bread recipe but as always, varied the additions. For these particular ones I opted for coconut and orange flavored cranberries. I also threw in some nuts and golden raisins. Have to be careful on how much you add as it will fill more than the 12 jumbo muffin tins. The baking temperature stayed the same, 350*, the time changed to about 30 minutes,  and this recipe will make 12 large muffins. Give them a try. To make a lighter version, substitute half the oil for applesauce.

Zucchini Coconut Cranberry Nut Muffins

Mix the following in a bowl:

3 cups flour                               
1 cup white sugar
1 cup brown sugar                     
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. ground cloves                   
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. nutmeg                            
1 tsp. salt
½ tsp. baking powder                 
2/3 cup vegetable oil
4 cups chopped zucchini (If large, omit the seeds)                        
3 eggs
Optional additions: dried cranberries, currants, dates, raisins, coconut, nuts (the choice is yours), chocolate chips, and the list goes on….             

Put in blender and mix for 30 seconds:
2/3 cup vegetable oil
4 cups chopped zucchini                      
3 eggs

Add to dry mix.

Stir in:
1 cup chopped nuts
1 cup golden raisins
1 cup coconut
1 cup orange flavored cranberries