Got Zucc? Double Chocolate Zucchini Muffins

Even if your kids don’t like veggies, they cannot resist these insanely moist and chocolaty muffins.  Mudge said, “These taste like brownies, but they're healthy.”  Plus, the added bonus of cinnamon gives it a little Mexican hot chocolate flare.

Preheat Oven 325 degrees.

Bowl 1- Dry Goods

2 ½ cups whole wheat flour

4 tbsp Dutch cocoa powder

1 tsp cinnamon

½ tsp salt

1 tsp baking soda

 Bowl 2

½ cup milk

¼ tsp white vinegar

Bowl 3- wet ingredients- Blend until smooth and airy; it looked like frosting!

½ cup butter

½ cup canola oil

1 ½ cups white sugar

2 tsp vanilla

2 eggs

Now add Bowl 2’s milk mixture until well combined.  

Then slowly add the dry ingredients from Bowl 1 to the wet mix.  Last fold in:

2 cups grated zucchini

1 cup chocolate chips

Scoop into paper lined (I prefer parchment liners) mini muffin tins.  Bake 18-20 minutes until the tooth pick comes out clean (unless of course you pierce a chocolate chip).  This batch will make 72 mini muffins.  My kids will eat 5-10 in a sitting depending on how hungry they are.  If you use a standard-sized muffin tin expect approximately 20-25 minutes for cooking.

Now I have to tell you that I didn’t make them as muffins this morning. I had to try them in the waffle maker.  But because this is such a moist product, getting the waffles out was a giant pain in the arse.  Spraying the waffle iron with non-stick worked but many of them broke apart during the removal process.  They cooled on the cookie rack and are now set in the freezer for easy breakfast pickings.  The flavor still rocked, but I wouldn’t do it again.  Okay.  I guess everything is not better as a waffle. Regardless, this recipe still makes killer muffins.  Give it try and let me know what you think….

when the lettuce is as tall as the child...

Ok.  I am a novice when it comes to gardening so I am very excited to see it actually working this year.  I have peas ready for picking, strawberries starting to turn red and some zucchinis popping out of the blossoms.  I've been plucking basil for pizza and and mint for tabouli.  But WTH do I do with 3 1/2 foot tall lettuce?

I noticed, as I was getting something from the garden with Mudget this morning, that my red leaf lettuce is as tall as him; I know he is small but the lettuce is still gargantuan.  I was told to pick leaves from the bottom and it will continue to grow.  So I have noticed.  I am trying to use it in wraps.  I can make the a simple salad.  I suppose I could find a smoothie that incorporates it, but I would rather not.   Sweet lord, I can't eat that much lettuce and soon it will look like I have the bean stalk from Jack's story.

I've come across some good recipes but in the mean time...Anyone have any suggestions to keep it from shooting stalks to the moon????

Missy's Candied Walnut Gorgonzola Salad

Nime Chow

The only thing I am good at growing is weeds....

So my past few attempts at gardening have been, how should I say, unsuccessful.  First year, I planted seeds haphazardly in the dirt not paying attention AT ALL to depth, amount of seeds, kind of light, etc.  Second year, less seeds,  but just as chaotic since the kids "helped" me plant.  I got a few beans and peas out of the deal, but that is it. Well this year, I tried something different. I bought seedlings from a greenhouse.

I know, I know.  Why didn't I think of this before???  Everyone I know told me last year (after I had planted of course) to get seedlings and manure.  So I made a mental post it note and I kept asking my friends when and where since February.  So today I made the trip to Al's Greenhouse on Scituate Ave in Cranston with Booger after the race.  They were incredibly friendly and helpful, and spent under $75 for the lot including peppers, lettuces, carrots, celery and strawberries (to name just a few).

Not only was it easier and made organizing my garden that much more pleasurable, it was so much more kid friendly.  Booger was able to help me pick the plants, dig the holes and water the garden.  Mudget was sleeping, so it made it that much easier as well.  So if you want to attempt gardening with the results of harvesting and reaping the benefits of your sweat and labor, get seedlings and put at least one of your children to bed.....