Chock-full of shredded zucchini, chopped walnuts and spice, this Gluten-Free Zucchini Bread recipe is our go-to favorite.
Article Courtesy: ย Alison Needham, A Girl Defloured
I am of the firm belief that the idea of zucchini is much better than the reality. That one can gently press a small seed, no bigger than a fingernail, an inch into the garden soil and get such a enormous, blossoming, fruiting vine is nothing but a small miracle. But after the first half-dozen or so, my eyes glaze over and I shudder at the thought of another month of zucchini everything, just to use it up.
It happens every year, this zucchini fatigue, and yet we persist in planting the seeds in our garden beds. Or at least I do. I know Iโm not alone in this, because every August 8th, there is aย holiday devoted to dumping your zucchini on your neighborโs porch, anonymously and preferably in the dark of night.
So what do I do with my abundant harvest of this squash (and what can you do with the zucchini that could make an appearance on your porch sometime later this week)? I make ratatouille, I make a stir fry, I turn them into fritters, I shred it and put it into risotto (along with some blossoms), I thinly slice it and serve it raw dressed with only a light lemon vinaigrette, but best of all (at least for the kids) I make tender and spicy loaves of zucchini bread.
The last time I made it, the bread needed to be not only gluten-free, but dairy free, because it was a gift for a friend. A simple internet search landed me on the Gluten-Free Goddessโ site, and my recipe is adapted from hers. I used mini loaf pans and wrapped the breads in parchment paper tied together with bakersโ twine.
The gluten-free zucchini bread is spicy, tender and studded with chunks of chopped walnut. It is fantastic toasted and spread with butter (or dairy-free butterish spread). And it freezes well too, but I doubt youโll have any left over at all.
So what do you do with all of your zucchini?
Gluten-Free Zucchini Bread
Ingredients
- 1 full cup of grated zucchini from about 1 medium zucchini
- 1 ยผ cupย all purpose gluten-free flour blendย we like Pamelaโs GF Artisan Blend
- ยผ cup almond flour or finely ground almond meal
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ยฝ teaspoon baking soda
- ยพ teaspoon xanthan gum omit if your flour blend already has it
- ยฝ teaspoon fine sea salt
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 cup brown sugar
- โ cup canola oil or other light oil
- 2 extra large eggs
- ยผ cup full-fat coconut milk or regular whole milk
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon pure GF vanilla extract
- โ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Spray 3 mini loaf pans with gluten-free cooking spray (or one standard 9-inch loaf pan) and set aside.
- Place the shredded zucchini into some paper towels and gently squeeze out any moisture. Fluff the zucchini with a fork and set aside.
- Put the all-purpose gluten-free flour, almond flour, baking powder, baking soda, xanthan gum, salt and cinnamon in a medium bowl and whisk to blend. In another large bowl add the brown sugar, canola oil, eggs, coconut milk, lemon juice and walnuts. Whisk thoroughly until smooth.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet and beat until combined. Fold in the grated zucchini (I always reserve just a little to sprinkle over the tops of the loaves) and the nuts.
- Divide evenly between the pans, sprinkle over the reserved zucchini and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of a loaf comes out clean.
- Cool for 5 minutes in the pan, then carefully turn out to cool completely on a rack.
Ange T Kenos, ex Tsamandas, Filiates, Epirus now Australia says
I love zucchini. As long pieces baked in an oven. As round chips from the frypan. As soup, in meat mixes but my favourite is as a pie. Good wholesome Hellenic (Greek) food
Feel free to send your excess stock to me in Australia as I love the stuff
Donna Whitlock says
Made this the other night. It tips recall good. You can not tell it is gluten free. I used butter instead of oil. And used cushaw squash instead of zucchini. Really wonderful. Thank you for sharing!
Andrew says
Just made this, beautiful breadcake, can not tell it is gluten freedairy free. important part of my elimination diet now, thank you. will have a continuous supply in the cupboard for months now as our zucchini's are just coming on!!!
Carmelann says
Is there vanilla or not?