September 1, 2011

Zucchinis Galore.....

This is the time of the year that neighbours are dropping off 'zucchini bread' or 'zucchini brownies'. Everyone is trying to disguise this abundant vegetable (although some may argue that it is a fruit). If there was such a thing as a 'State Vegetable' then zucchini would be it for here in Utah.

Everyone has a thriving garden here (all except me it seems) and everyone plants zucchini. There is nothing unusual about opening your front door to find a bag full of zucchinis that some kind neighbour dropped off as they went for their morning walk.

So what to do with them? Yes the bread and the brownies are lovely but I think I have hit on a real winner here. I found a recipe for...wait for it...Zucchini CANDY!!! So being the kind of person who tries different or interesting recipes at least once (Vinegar Pie  and Velveeta Fudge for example) I tried it.

These are such a huge hit in my home with my teenage sons that now I am going to have to plant a garden next year and grow my own zucchinis.


Here's my experience:



 Diced the zucchini into about 1cm pieces.


 Put them in a saucepan with the Kool-Aid and sugar to boil.
(I used orange flavour)


  Drain and place on drying racks.


 I used four trays for this recipe.


The finished product.

The recipe:

Zucchini Bites (It's not really a 'candy')

10 cups peeled diced zucchini 1cm cubes (I used three medium sized zucchinis)
3 cups water
2 pkgs. unsweetened Koolaid
2 1/2 cups sugar 


Peel zucchini,remove seeds and dice. Mix the sugar water and Kool-Aid in a saucepan. Add zucchini. Bring to the boil. Reduce to a heat and simmer for 25 minutes. Drain. Put on dehydrator trays. Dry for around 13-14 hours at 125
°F. Store in an airtight container. 

I wonder if you can use the 'syrup' for another batch. It's worth a shot so I've sealed it up and put it in the freezer to use again.

I'm looking forward to trying different flavours but I need more zucchinis. Anyone got extra they want to leave on my doorstep?