Saving Zucchini's Reputation: Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread

Zucchini, at one time, did not hold a place of high honor in this house.  The sight of one would make my little people cringe.  Brave ones would ask "are we eating that?"  Only ignorant babies, including my current one, would willingly snarf  it down.  That is, until they were old enough to be influenced by anti-zucchini peer pressure.

But that has all changed, thanks to a recipe handed to me by a neighbor.

Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread has created a new attitude toward this summer squash.   This once scorned veggie now holds a place of honor, right next to chocolate chip cookies.

Thanks to that same neighbor's fruitful garden, we had the opportunity to make this bread the other day! Two medium sized zucchini are more than sufficient for one recipe.

 Now for some shredding.  I always have a helper or two.........or three for that!

Sugar may have something to do with the new found love of zucchini.

Mental note, make sure you have vanilla.  If you do not, stop all baking.   Load up four hungry kids in the car.  Take them to a grocery store where they salivate at all the food.  Tell them no to everything.  Pick up vanilla, think to yourself, 'this price seems absurd for such a small bottle.'  Prepare for the check-out line.  Tell kids no twenty more times.  Load kids back into car and head home.
  

Next comes the shredded zucchini.  Did I mention I had helpers?  Lots of helpers, and lots of zucchini on the counter.

Of course some dry goods too.  I sometimes substitute about half of the all-purpose flour with whole-white wheat flour. I know, veggies and whole grains.  What a super mom, making such a healthy recipe!  (Ignore the fact there are 2 cups of sugar in the batter.)

I was too busy guarding the chocolate chips to take a picture of them being added to the mix.  The recipe calls for only 1/2 cup, but somehow the majority of the contents of a newly opened bag disappeared.  I will not tell you if I had a part in the disappearance.

I prefer to bake this in loaf form.  But it works just as well for cupcakes, and makes a good bundt cake too!

Wait patiently........

Slice when completely cooled while warm because you your kids cannot wait any longer. 

Go ahead and stuff as much into your mouth as possible. 

Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread
3-4 cups shredded zucchini
3 eggs
1 cup oil
2 cups sugar
3 tsp. vanilla
2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. baking soda
5 tsp. cocoa
1/2 cup chocolate chips

Mix together eggs, oil, sugar and vanilla until well blended.  Add zucchini, mix well.  Mix dry ingredients together and add to zucchini mixture.  Blend well.  Stir in chocolate chips.  Pour into two greased loaf pans.  Bake at 350 for 55 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Anyone else have a great zucchini recipe they would like to share?