This recipe is a humble one, but much beloved. It was shared with the Barrows a while back by close friends, and now we all look forward to zucchini season so that we can make it! Delicious as a side to a cookout (or other meal), it also makes for a good meatless main course served on its own with a large salad and maybe a watermelon. It stores and reheats well too, which is always a bonus.

I’ve left the recipe much the same, mostly simplifying and clarifying the measurements and giving a bit more detail in the instructions.

Zucchini Bake

Serves about 12 as a side dish and about 6-8 as a main course.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup flour

• 1 tbs sugar

• 1 tbs baking powder

• 4tbs or 1/2 stick of butter, cut into 1/2 in cubes

• 1/2 tsp oregano

• 1/2 tsp garlic powder

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 2 tsp parsley

• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan/Romano (about 1/2 oz)

• 1-2 pounds of zucchini

• 1 small onion

• 1/2 cup oil

• 4 eggs

• 4-6 oz mild, good melting cheese, grated (We use what is on hand. Mozzarella, Monterey Jack, and mild cheddar are safe bets.)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350. Grease a 9x13in baking pan and set aside.

2. Measure flour, sugar, and baking powder in a large bowl. Mix to combine. Add butter cubes and cut into the flour mixture until the pieces are roughly pea sized. Add oregano, garlic powder, salt, and parsley. Mix well, then set aside.

3. Chop zucchini into bite sized pieces. (I like to make mine into thin quarters. You don’t want the chunks too big, or else they won’t bake up tender.) Dump pieces into flour mixture. Chop the onions finely and add them to the flour mixture as well. Finally, add the grated Parmesan/Romano. Toss everything well to coat with the flour mixture.

4. Measure out oil into a glass liquid measuring cup. Add eggs. Using a fork or whisk, blend well. Pour into zucchini flour mixture, then mix everything until well combined.

5. Scrape batter into prepared pan. Top with grated cheese. Place in heated oven and bake for about 30minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the edges are beginning to brown. Enjoy!

Notes:

• Have Bisquick on hand? Use instead of the flour, sugar, baking powder, and butter mix.

• Fresh herbs can easily be substituted (using about 3x as much as dried). If out of oregano or parsley, try substituting Italian seasoning or basil or thyme instead! Plenty of room for you to tweak to your liking.