Courgette cake.

[WendyS]

Anybody got a good recipe which they've actually baked themselves, rather than just downloaded from the internet please?
Courgette plants are currently in overload !

[Clanad]

Although we call 'em zucchini here in the western U.S. and this recipe was originally, down loaded from the web, we've used it numerous times and it works well... we've had to add about 10 minutes to the bake time due to our altitude (5,000 feet above sea level) but otherwise it has produced a really moist and tasty cake... Best of luck!

1 (18.25 oz.) box dark chocolate cake mix
1/2 C. vegetable oil
4 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 medium size zucchini (2 C. grated)
1 C. chocolate chips
1/2 C. chopped nuts
1/2 C. white raisins (ya'll call them sultanas)

In large mixing bowl add cake mix, eggs, oil and vanilla extract. Beat until well blended. Stir in the chopped nuts, grated zucchini, chocolate chips and raisins.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 13 x 9-inch cake pan.
Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes.
Cool the cake, then frost with cream cheese frosting of your choice.

[kellypie]

why not make Ratatouille. its scrumptious especially in a baked potato

most people use aubergine but i use courgette and it works a treat

[WendyS]

Thanks both of you. We made several large batches of ratatouille for the freezer yesterday, so might try the chocolate cake to avoid suffering from menu fatigue although I'm wondering whether it might be a little rich? Not sure we can buy boxes of dark chocolate cake mix here in the UK but will check out the supermarket.

[lia*]

hi wendy s,

have you ever made carrot cake or banana bread? just follow the same recipe and substitute with courgette. i do it all the time with whatever vegetable or fruit that's in season. i cannot begin to tell you how great they always turn out. in addition, i also sometimes add raisins or nuts or other dried fruits. you shoud try it sometime, you will not regret.

here are some other interesting courgette recipes:
http://homecooking.about.com/library/archive/b lv61.htm

cheers
lia*

[WendyS]

Lia* - Thanks for this hint. Have never made carrot cake or banana bread but these do sound interesting alternative options but I'll Google for some recipes for these and experiment. I hate throwing surplus food away, even when the cost of growing it is virtually nil. Do these cakes freeze well?

[lia*]

wendy s,

i make this recipe all the time and substitute with whatever fruits or vegetables i fancy. i don't use eggs but you can use eggs if you wish too. maybe 2 eggs. i love to bake and cook so i'm always experimenting with something., anyway here goes..

Banana Bread

1 cup sugar
1 tbls lemon juice
11/2 tsp. baking powder
2 cups flour
1/2 cup butter, i use 2 sticks
1 tsp. baking soda
4 very ripe bananas mashed, i use a fork
1 cup raisins
1/2 cup walnut (optional) but it does make the bread delish
a splash of vanilla extract, cinnamon, mace (optional)

cream margarine and sugar. add mashed bananas and lemon juice. mix, add flour, b powder, b soda and spices.
mix. bake in a well greased tin.
bake for 1hour 15 mins @ 350 degrees. use a skewer or toothpick to test for doneness.

you can substitute 2 cups grated carrots instead of bananas. or if you like coconut use 2 cups grated coconut, it delicious. also you can use cupcake or muffin tins instead of a loaf or cake tin.

if you have questions [email protected]

[WendyS]

Lia - thanks for taking the trouble to let me have this. From the recipe I guess you may be in the IS or Canada since the weights are shown in cups, rather than ounces. I'll look for a conversion chart somewhere and then have a go. (Always wondered what to do with those over-ripe bananas which everybody leaves in the fruit bowl uneaten !).

[lia*]

measurement conversion
http://www.wwrecipes.com/convert.htm#American% 20Can%20Sizes

[WendyS]

lia* - Many thanks for that. I've printed it off and will store it on my cookery book shelf for future reference.