Zucchini Patties

I’ve got quite the zucchini garden going right now.  So much zucchini that it’s literally taking over the place.  In a frantic search to do something with all of it, my friend sent me a few recipes (thanks Kim!).  After spending ALL day long shredding up zucchini and preparing it for the freezer, i decided to use this recipe from Kim for dinner last night.  It seems to be missing something “herb-y” so i threw on some of the cream cheese spread from the grilled eggplant sandwichs and it hit the spot.

Zucchini Patties

2 cups grated zucchini
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
salt to taste

Combine all ingredients and mix well.  Heat griddle or frying pan and put spoonfuls of mixture on hot griddle/pan (this is where my Panini grill came to great use again!).  Cook like you would a pancake (until golden brown on both sides).  Serve with ranch or sour cream.  Or, use the cream cheese spread from the grilled eggplant sandwiches below.

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

Lots and Lots of brown bananas going on around here.  Love this recipe, and even my pickiest child will eat this (but the other two?  not so much.  Go figure).

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

1/2 cup butter, room temperature
1 1/2 cup sugar
2 whole eggs
1/2 cup sour cream
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup mashed ripe bananas (usually 2-3 bananas)
1 3/4 cup flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 pinch salt
3/4 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips (i use a half bag of chocolate chunk chips)

preheat oven to 325 degrees.  Beat together until blended the butter, sugar, eggs, sour cream, vanilla, and mashed banana.  Stir in flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and chocolate chips until just blended.  Pour batter into 2 greased loaf pans.  Bake for 40-50 minutes.  Cool in the pan for 15 minutes before removal.

Grilled Eggplant Sandwich

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve let an eggplant go bad because i was too chicken to try one and i had no idea how to even begin to prepare one.   Today I (we) took the plunge and cooked one up.  I found my new love!  We even went out and bought a Panini grill just because I’ve always wanted one and this was a perfect excuse to get one finally.

Grilled Eggplant Sandwich

4 tsp Olive Oil
1 clove garlic, minced
Fresh Basil, chopped
salt, to taste
fresh ground pepper, to taste
eggplant, cut into 1/2 inch slices
1 block cream cheese
4 pieces focaccia bread, or other good quality bread
baby spinach, washed and dried (optional)
tomatoes, sliced
red bell pepper, blackened and sliced (optional)

preheat grill to medium heat.  Add olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper, and 1/2 tsp of basil to a small bowl.  Stir to combine.  Brush both sides of eggplant slices with olive oil mixture.  Grill eggplant over direct heat, 3 minutes each side or until nicely grilled.  Mix cream cheese, 1 Tbsp basil, salt and pepper into a small bowl.  Spread halves of bread with cream cheese mixture.  Top with sliced eggplant, tomatoes, spinach, and bell pepper.