Wednesday, July 11, 2007

garden goodness


A cool front has blown in today; a much needed relief from yesterday's temperature of 95 degrees. I spent some time in the afternoon out in the garden weeding ~ not much fun, but definitely worth the trouble when I think about the benefits...


~like the fresh blueberries I enjoyed on my homemade granola for breakfast~
~and LOTS of zucchini...


...for my new favorite muffins, which I enjoyed with a cup of tea...

Chocolate Zucchini Muffins
  • (adapted from a recipe in British Country Living magazine)
  • 6 oz dark chocolate (70%)
  • 1 cup flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup dried cherries, chopped {or dried cranberries}
  • finely grated zest of 1 orange {optional}
  • 1 cup finely grated zucchini
  • 2 medium eggs
  • 3/4 cup vegetable oil {edited 7/09 ~ I have reduced this to 1/2 cup with good results.}
Melt chocolate in double boiler~keep warm. Whisk together eggs and oil; blend in the melted chocolate; add the grated zucchini. Sift together the flour, baking powder, and baking soda; add the sugar and the dried cherries. Combine wet and dry ingredients. Pour into 12 prepared muffin cups. Bake at 350 degrees F. for 25 - 30 minutes, until risen and skewer comes out clean.
I've made two batches already, and they disappear before I know it! Enjoy.

31 comments:

  1. The blueberries look YUMMY! We love Zucchini. Nothing taste as good as freash fruits and vegis.

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  2. Anonymous7:06 PM

    Thanks for the receipt Deb, just what I need, more weight to gain...LOL!!!

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  3. Yum! I've got to try these. :)
    Don't forget - dark chocolate reduces blood pressure! ;)

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  4. I've had more zucchini than I can shake a stick at! I just blogged about my feta stuffed zucchini, but your recipe sounds so good, i'll have to try it tomorrow when the next crop rolls in!!!

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  5. Yummy! All my most favorite food groups! I absolutely love fried zuchini drizzled with ketchup! When you've had your fill, could you send me your largest ones for frying???? :) Chocolate zuchini cake is also delish. Thank you for sharing! Nancy

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  6. Ok...Deb...I just need to know one thing...do you have a clone?...how do you get so much done in one day?...gardening...granola making...muffin baking...not to mention ALL of your wonderful crafts and such...geez...I guess maybe I need to get off the ole bum here..and get crackin...lol...

    Your muffins/blueberries/zucchini ALL look scrumptous...I'm going to have to try that muffin recipe...have you ever had zucchini nut muffins...those are my favs...sadly, I don't have a great recipe for that..yet...but my bakery does...I'll have to see if I can steal it from them...I mean borrow...

    blessings...
    "T"

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  7. Anonymous3:57 AM

    What a delicious post! I must make those muffins! I make a zucchini muffin with chocolate chips, but this on looks like a nice alternative. We're waiting on the zucchini--it's been such a dull, sunless, rainy summer here in southern Norway. YUM--homemade granola...Will you be sharing that recipe too?! Happy Days! :o)

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  8. What beautiful photos, which look like they could be published in a country gardening magazine of some kind. The berries look wonderful. Yum! Thanks for sharing the muffin recipe!

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  9. It's been so very hot here the last couple of days, but feels cooler this morning. I'm so glad. I was melting away yesterday.
    Aren't blueberries pretty altogether like that? This time of year, we can gather an artful arrangement of all sorts of lovely things from nature. I love that part of summer and fall.
    Thank you for the recipe. I like the addition of the cherries. Great combination.
    I hope you're day is a happy one, and stays cooler too.

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  10. Yum! Slap some frosting on that baby and you've got a chocolate cupcake. But I suppose it's more "healthy" the muffin way! Thanks for sharing!

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  11. Did you say homemade granola? I haven't made that since my children were young! Would love if you could share the recipe!The blueberries look very delicous!

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  12. Oh, the blueberries look delicious! I'm glad to hear a cool front rolled in to give you some relief. Thank you for sharing the muffin recipe, I know what I'm making this weekend. :)

    Kelli

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  13. Anonymous1:54 PM

    We're enjoying a break from the heat too ~ thank goodness! The blueberries look so good ~ I'm hoping to pick some up at the market in the morning. ♥

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  14. This recipe sounds very similar to one I make, with the exception of the dried cherries. I am going to add the cherries next time!

    Have a lovely weekend.

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  15. The blueberries are beautiful! Also, thank you for sharing your zucchini recipe. I try to eat all the dark chocolate I possibly can. I loved it even before the health benefits were found!

    Have a great weekend.

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  16. OH! I just LOVE blueberry! You wouldn`t know, but i have been eating them for breakfast today! Yepp, i have..they have a lot of them here in the woods in Norway. They are big and juizy, just how i like them. Yours looks just like them! And what a treat to have them on your doorstep and use them in everydays food! What a jummy post, hehe :))

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  17. Sounds yummy, I will definitely try those muffins! Thanks for posting the recipe:)

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  18. zucchini are called courgettes here. Unfortunately mine have rotted away this year. I love the look of your blueberries, what does granola taste like? I often here it mentioned.
    Sandra.x.

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  19. Anonymous8:54 PM

    Just found you at Kris's comment section...WOW...love your blog...gonna add it to my daily reads!

    Love to sew, quilt, cook, etc. so looking forward to seeing all your blog when I have the time later.

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  20. Anonymous8:56 PM

    Oppss...it was at Judy's, not Kris's...think you would love MissKris's blog too!

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  21. I love chocolate zuke muffins (or cake)! Mine aren't quite pickable yet. And those blueberries -- straight from your yard? I wish!

    ~Jody

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  22. Anonymous7:51 AM

    Lucky you! I miss having blueberries. Mine were done in by a late frost. Those muffins look deelish!

    Manuela

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  23. Hello...

    My name is Beverly, I found your lovely site through another site and what a beautiful place it is... The blueberries look so good! I will be back to visit again and again...

    Have a lovely day...

    Beverly

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  24. Just came across your blog! what a treat!.your home is beautiful,love your workroom and your kitchen! I'll be back again another day!

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  25. So delicious looking! I will definitely try out your chocolate zucchini muffins...my mum makes a fantastic pear zucchini loaf that is to die for, so I can't wait to try your recipe!

    Kate

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  26. Ugh! I wanted your mini floral clothespin bag, but I procrastinated too long! Will there be more?

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  27. Anonymous11:06 AM

    Oh those blueberries, yum, yum. In fact this whole post is yummy.

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  28. Our blueberries aren't ripe yet. Your muffins look lovely. The recipe I've got is for a slab cake. Take care - love Julia x

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  29. Loved the blueberries. We pick blueberries but yours look more tasty. I have tried several times to grow Zucchini but with no success here in No. Calif. I heard that you need bees to pollinate it.

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  30. Hi there!

    I have just discovered your blog-- its lovely :)

    Thanks so much for sharing that recipe-- I cannot WAIT to try it, as it sounds healthy and delcious.

    Have a great day!
    Kimberley

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  31. I just wanted to tell you that I love your blog! I wish I were your neighbor!

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Thank you for taking time to leave a comment--I love reading each and every one! I will try to answer any questions you have in the comment section. Due to the amount of spam, I am sadly no longer able to accept Anonymous comments....Kindly, Deb

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