14 July 2007
Say, Anna, I can hear you asking, what else can you make with zucchini? Well, I will tell you! You can make zucchini potato hashbrowns, to start:
I grated one small zucchini (about 85 grams) and sprinkled it with salt to bring out the water. Meanwhile, I grated a few red potatoes (about 185 grams) with the skin on (because I'm lazy). Using my hands, I squeezed out as much moisture as I could from the combined zucchini and potato -- and when I couldn't squeeze out any more, I put the shredded veg between layers of paper towel and pressed to really try to dry it all out. I heated my cast iron skillet with a bit of oil, dumped in the hashbrowns, sprinkled with salt, pepper, and paprika, and turned as needed until they were cooked through and crispy in places.
I had them with a Boca burger topped with wholegrain mustard, Gouda, tomato slices, and lettuce. The frizzy bit of lettuce at the top was for extra fance (a word which I've just back-formationed from 'fancy', obviously. Feel free to spread it around.).
I also made another curry dish:
I've got into the habit of making things like this for lunch when it isn't too hot out. I really enjoy the process, which is fairly atypical for me -- crafting is all about the results, for example. But I like to chop everything up and arrange it on a plate before I start cooking, and then each ingredient goes in at just the right time. I also tried making naan, which came out good, but not great, which I blame on my tendency to cook with very little oil. The littler dish has yogurt and cherries.
And lastly, the second package from Tania arrived today. Talk about feeling spoiled!
I'm going to have to open up a tea shop soon -- I've got such a selection now! She also sent seaweed pasta, fig jam and apricot jam (which I am resisting the urge to eat straight from the jar), the biscuits I mentioned yesterday, lemon thyme, honey, and olive spread. I might just spend the rest of the weekend sampling everything.
Lastly lastly, I forced them to be cute. Booty looks like he's totally relaxed there, but he was actually the one more uncomfortable with the situation. Whenever Beany gets close to him, she's happy to lick him all over, but Booty just isn't used to other cats being friendly.
hee hee -- i say "fance" too!
posted by emma at July 15, 2007 03:02 AM
I find it amusing all the creative ways you are finding to use up all your zucchini. I remember one summer my parents got a little overzealous with their garden and it felt like we had zucchini coming out of our ears. "Zucchini again??" was commonly heard in our home around suppertime. It felt like a long summer with lots of zucchini. What I wouldn't give now for some home-grown vegetables.
posted by jean at July 15, 2007 05:30 AM
I love the word fance!
I'm going to use it in my next novel. I did tell you, didn't I, that I now have a two book contract?!
posted by Sally Howe at July 15, 2007 09:36 PM
..and I used them for years to make pickle relish.....
posted by grama at July 16, 2007 02:29 PM
ooh that looks great- i have zuchinni about to go mad in the garden- thanks for the ideas!
posted by tania at July 16, 2007 10:12 PM
hey, so glad you enjoyed everything :)
posted by Tania Ho at July 20, 2007 12:17 PM