Recipe: Lemon Rosemary Zucchini Bread (2024)

Recipe: Lemon Rosemary Zucchini Bread (2)

Lemon zest and fresh rosemary add a flavorful twist to zucchini bread.

Up to your ears in zucchini? Bored with the same old cinnamon zucchini bread? Have I got the perfect recipe for you.

This is not a savory bread, but with less sugar than many zucchini bread recipes, it doesn't feel like you're eating cake for breakfast. (Not that there's anything wrong with eating cake for breakfast.) It also makes a delicious afternoon snack.

The flavors of the rosemary and lemon are pleasantly subtle, but you can bump them up if you like. This quick bread tastes even better the next day, will stay moist for several days, and freezes well. I like it best sliced, toasted, and slathered with butter.

The most popular recipe on Farmgirl Fare right now is (which is that I'm a complete failure at growing something everybody else spends half the summer desperately trying to give away).

To enjoy freshly baked zucchini bread all year round, simply grate your zucchini (I use a stainless steel box grater), squeeze out some of the liquid if it's really moist (you can use a flour sack towel—these are so handy in the kitchen—or cheesecloth, but I usually just stand over the sink and use my hands), portion it out into the amount you'll need, and pack it into zipper freezer bags or containers. Defrost before using. For more on using frozen shredded zucchini in baked goods, see this thread on the Farmgirl Fare Facebook page.

Recipe below. . .

Makes two 8½"x4½" 'tea-sized' loaves - Adapted from Simply Recipes

These loaves are on the short side, so don't feel bad if you, ahem, end up devouring four slices for breakfast.

Avoid the temptation to use those ubiquitous monster zucchini in your zucchini bread; they're often spongy and full of seeds. As always, I urge you to seek out local and organic ingredients; they really do make a difference. Organic flours are easy to find and reasonably priced, and even organic sugars are becoming mainstream. Search on Local Harvest for real farm eggs and other locally produced foods in your area.

White whole wheat flour is 100% whole grain flour that is made from a lighter variety of wheat, so it works better in delicate baked goods than regular whole wheat flour. If you can't find it, just use more all-purpose flour. The darker your olive oil, the more flavor it will add to the bread.

Ingredients:

2 cups organic all-purpose flour

1 cup organic white whole wheat flour

2 teaspoons baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1 Tablespoon minced fresh rosemary (or more to taste)

1 Tablespoon organic lemon zest (or more to taste)

1 pound zucchini, grated (about 3 cups lightly packed)

2 large eggs

1/2 cup (4 ounces/1 stick) organic butter, melted

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup light brown sugar

Directions:

Heat the oven to 350°F. Grease two 8½"x4½" loaf pans (I use coconut oil sprayon my baking pans).

In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, white whole wheat flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, rosemary, and lemon zest.

If your grated zucchini is really moist, squeeze out some of the liquid (you can use a flour sack towel or cheesecloth, but I usually just stand over the sink and use my hands), then toss the grated zucchini into the flour mixture with a rubber spatula.

In a small bowl, whisk together the eggs, melted butter, olive oil, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until well combined.

Fold the wet mixture into the dry mixture, gently stirring just until combined. Divide the batter evenly between the two loaf pans.

Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick or bamboo skewer inserted into the center of a loaf comes out clean. If you press down lightly on the surface of the loaf, it should spring back.

Let the loaves cool for 10 minutes in the pans, then remove them and allow to cool completely on a wire rack. Store in an airtight container or freeze.

More zucchini baked goods you might enjoy:

100% Whole Grain Carrot Raisin Zucchini Bran Muffins from Farmgirl Fare

Still hungry? You'll find links to all my sweet and savory Less Fuss, More Flavor recipes in the Farmgirl Fare Recipe Index.

© FarmgirlFare.com, the mostly homegrown foodie farm blog where there is never too much zucchini.

Recipe: Lemon Rosemary Zucchini Bread (2024)

FAQs

Should you squeeze water out of zucchini for bread? ›

But unless your zucchini is excessively juicy, squeezing the squash could be removing some of the moisture you really do want in the bread. It's up to you, though. Squeeze for lighter, drier bread. Leave it as is for denser, moister bread.

Do you leave the skin on zucchini when making bread? ›

Don't peel the zucchini – Yes, it's tempting to remove the zucchini's skin, but there is no need to do that. Zucchini melts into the bread, so peeling is just an unnecessary step. Do grate the zucchini – I don't know about you, but when it comes to zucchini in bread, I want it there – but I don't want to see it.

Why does my zucchini bread always fall in the middle? ›

As the bread or cake cooks, those air bubbles make it rise, but because they are unstable, the bread or cake then collapses as it sits. Try mixing with a gentler touch: use medium, not high, speed on the electric mixer. Add eggs one at a time, mixing slowly in between each addition.

Why does my zucchini bread taste weird? ›

When they are larger, zucchinis tend to contain more water, which leads to excess moisture in the batter. Additionally, larger zucchinis don't taste as good, with a more bitter flavor. They can also have larger seeds. These large seeds can throw off the texture of your zucchini bread.

How many zucchinis is 2 cups grated? ›

You'll need about 2 medium size zucchinis to make 2 cups of grated zucchini. Be sure to measure the zucchini after you grate it to be sure you have 2 cups.

Why do you soak zucchini in salt water? ›

Salt causes zucchini rounds to release excess water. This important extra step helps the zucchini to sauté rather than stew in its own juices.

Do you grate or shred zucchini for bread? ›

Luckily, zucchini is extremely versatile and can be baked, grilled or sauteed, but I recommend grating it. Your grated zucchini melts into whatever it's cooked with, so it's great for sneaking into pasta or creamy risotto. It's also ideal for making baked goods like zucchini bread and other zucchini dessert recipes.

Why does my zucchini bread stick to the bottom of the pan? ›

It is important to thoroughly coat the sides and bottoms of the pan with solid shortening or non-stick cooking spray, particularly in the corners. A missed spot will result in sticking. Use a nonstick baking pan.

Where is the best place to store zucchini bread? ›

We'll go over this in more detail below, but in short - If you're looking for the safest way to store zucchini bread - just refrigerate it. Seal your bread in a plastic storage container or plastic bag and store it in the refrigerator.

Can you put undercooked zucchini bread back in the oven? ›

It is pretty simple to salvage an undercooked bread and create a decent loaf. Heat the oven to 350 F, return the bread to the oven, and bake for another 10 to 20 minutes. This will work even if the loaf has cooled, which is similar to par-baking bread.

What happens if you put too much baking powder in zucchini bread? ›

Using too much baking soda or baking powder can really mess up a recipe, causing it to rise uncontrollably and taste terrible.

Why is zucchini bread gummy? ›

You can combat this by baking longer, or upping the temp a bit. If the oven temp is not the issue, then start adding a tablespoon or two less liquid to your batters (you may live in a humid climate and your flours may be absorbing moisture; too much moisture can make for a gummy product).

Can you use bad zucchini for bread? ›

When zucchini becomes overgrown, it is called a marrow. These large squashes are excellent in a variety of recipes-especially muffins, bread, and cakes due to the structure of the fruit. You can also use the huge zucchini as a stuffed squash.

How to tell if shredded zucchini is bad? ›

Mushy/soft/stringy flesh texture - Along with these brown/dark spots, the flesh of the zucchini may begin to look and feel mushy, stringy, and soft. If your zucchini looks stringy, not firm and meaty, it's time to be discarded.

Do you need to remove water from zucchini? ›

When cooking with grated zucchini, it's important to squeeze out the moisture to stop your dish from going soggy.

Should zucchini be drained before baking? ›

For some recipes, that extra water is not needed and could even ruin what you're trying to make. Adding drained shredded zucchini to baked goods, or even zucchini pancakes will make the dish fluffy and not mushy. To learn the basics, learn how to cook zucchini in three new ways.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Gregorio Kreiger

Last Updated:

Views: 5603

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (77 voted)

Reviews: 92% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Gregorio Kreiger

Birthday: 1994-12-18

Address: 89212 Tracey Ramp, Sunside, MT 08453-0951

Phone: +9014805370218

Job: Customer Designer

Hobby: Mountain biking, Orienteering, Hiking, Sewing, Backpacking, Mushroom hunting, Backpacking

Introduction: My name is Gregorio Kreiger, I am a tender, brainy, enthusiastic, combative, agreeable, gentle, gentle person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.