Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Garden Tuesday: Zucchini

It's Tuesday, and that means a garden update. How about a picture of my yard instead?

We have grapes coming, too. I see grape jam in our future.

Well, I've heard the urban legends about people in the country leaving zucchini on neighbors' porches or in their cars, but I've never seen it happen. Truth be told, I love zucchini, so I wouldn't be leaving it anyway. In the garden over the weekend, I spotted this large beauty. The boys were against picking it, but I finally prevailed. It became Creamed Not Julienned Zucchini. Don't worry, we have more; zucchini bread will follow, possibly tonight.

CREAMED (NOT) JULIENNED ZUCCHINI

1 pound or so zucchini
1/4 cup butter
1 tbsp cornstarch
1/4 cup whipping cream
1/4 cup milk
salt & pepper

Theoretically, according to the recipe with which I started, you should ju
lienne your zucchini. Or, you could be lazy like me, and just shred it. It worked fine. Melt the butter in a saucepan, add a touch of salt and plenty of pepper, and cook the zucchini for 2 to 3 minutes; it will be crisp. Stir in the cornstarch, then add the cream and milk. Stir until it thickens, another 2 minutes or so, and serve. My error was in using only 1 teaspoon of cornstarch, so the cream sauce didn't cling to the zuc well enough. Ah, well, there's always next time! I had this with my fish and wild rice dinner last night, and it was just the right amount of color and excitement on my plate.

11 comments:

Paula said...

Your yard looks lovely! Next year, I am going to totally steal your idea and grow zucchini in tomato cages! Can you believe that I've never had creamed zucch? I love that it has just a bit of crunch left in it. I bet it tasted great with the fish and rice. That's my kind of dinner. The entire meal = total YUM!

The Blonde Duck said...

I just reviewed a Mexican restaurant for work and saw the coolest dish--chicken and zuccini with corn and stuff...I'll try to find the recipe for you!

SissySees said...

I think I was a newborn the year of the squash. My sister could confirm, but at any rate, our summers were marked by whatever crop my father over-grew that year. My sister still won't eat squash, and I love it!

Unknown said...

I love zuchinni, but hubby is not a fan. I love how green your yard looks. We are drowning in lettuce and tomatoes - so lots of big salads for dinner lately. Can't wait for your zuchinni bread. I need to make some.

forgot to mention that I love the new headed photo. That gate is fabulous.

Plans are being hatched for Philly in November - Thanksgiving weekend - sadly. g

buffalodick said...

That zucchini looks like the Jolly Green Giant wasn't circumcised... I'll bet you give some of it away now! HeeHeeHee... Just kiddin', as usual! You can grow stuff and cook- I bow to your abilities... Quite a woman, by all accounts!

Christo Gonzales said...

looks like you live on the 9th hole you have more yard than the whole of Manhattan! creamy zucchini looks great!

Annette said...

Marjie your "yard" is beautiful! What a charming gate too. What fun it must be for the boys...including the "four legged one"...to romp around.

tavolini said...

Wow, I didn't know you were doing grapes, too! Your zucchinis look fantastic :)

Mickle in NZ said...

What a glorious yard for Thor to roam around - lots of space and all those trees.

Veggie garden looks splendid,as your dinner a wow.

And you give us a new header too - a fine arch aand the mystery of what is behind it.

Hope the Week contibues to go well.

Huggles, Michelle and Daft Zebbycat, xxx and silence coz he's snoozling

grace said...

well, now this is a new and interesting use for zucchini! i can state with certainty that even though i've never had this, anything with both butter and cream is worth my time. :)

Pam said...

I've never had creamed zucchini but I am sure I would love it.

I forgot to tell you - I love your new header picture, it's so pretty.