Ella Bellas Healthy Summer Squash Bread From The More With Less Mom Food

ELLA BELLA'S HEALTHY SUMMER SQUASH BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325*.
• Grease two 9 x 5 loaf pans, spray olive oil is a healthy choice.
• Beat eggs until foamy.
• Stir in wet ingredients: sugar, summer squash, oil, applesauce and vanilla.
• Sift together dry ingredients: flour, wheat flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
• Gradually add to wet ingredients.
• Fold in raisins and optional nuts.
• Pour into prepared pans.
• Bake for 60 - 80 minutes, or until tooth pick inserted in center comes out clean.
• Cool for 10 minutes on cooling rack, then remove from pans.
• Cool completely on rack before slicing.

ACORN SQUASH BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 [degrees] F. Wash, halve, and remove seeds from squash. Cut a 1-inch-thick slice off one of the squash halves; set aside. Place squash halves, cut sides down, in a baking dish. Bake for 50 to 55 minutes or until tender. Remove pulp from squash; discard shells. Measure 1 cup.
• Place the 1 cup of squash in a medium saucepan. Add the 1 1/2 cups milk, the sugar, 2 tablespoons butter, and salt. Heat and stir just until warm (120 [degrees] F to 130 [degrees] F). Set aside.
• In a large mixing bowl combine 2 cups of the flour, the yeast, and sage. Add the squash mixture. Beat with an electric mixer on low to medium speed for 30 seconds, scraping sides of the bowl. Beat on high speed for 3 minutes. Stir in as much of the remaining flour as you can, using a wooden spoon.
• Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead in enough of the remaining flour to make a moderately stiff dough that is smooth and elastic (6 to 8 minutes). Shape dough into a ball. Place dough in a lightly greased bowl, turning once to grease surface of the dough. Cover and let rise in a warm place until double in size (45 to 60 minutes).
• Punch dough down. Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface. Divide dough in half. Cover; let rest for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, lightly grease two 8x4x2-inch loaf pans.
• Gently shape each portion into a loaf, tucking edges under. Place the shaped dough in the prepared loaf pans. Cover and let rise in a warm place until nearly double in size (about 30 minutes).
• Preheat oven to 375 [degrees] F. Use a vegetable peeler to make several thin strips from the reserved 1-inch slice of squash. Brush surface of bread with milk. Place squash strips on top of loaf. Brush squash strips with the melted butter.
• Bake about 35 minutes or until bread sounds hollow when you tap the top with your fingers. (If necessary, cover loosely with foil the last 15 minutes of baking to prevent overbrowning.) Immediately remove bread from pans. Cool on wire racks. Makes 2 loaves (32 servings).

SPICY SQUASH BREAD

Steps:

• In a mixing bowl, add the first 8 ingredients; stir to combine; set aside.
• In a large mixing bowl, add the eggs, sugar, oil, sour cream, and preserves; stir to combine.
• Add in shredded squash; stir to combine.
• Gradually add in dry ingredients, stir well.
• Pour mixture into a greased and floured 8 1/2 x 4 1/2-inch loafpan.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour, 5 minutes or until pick comes out clean.
• Cool for 10 minutes in the pan; turn out onto a wire rack and let cool completely.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH BREAD

Steps:

• In a mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in water; let stand 5 minutes.
• Add squash, milk, eggs, butter, sugar and salt; mix well.
• Gradually add 3 ½ cups flour; beat until smooth.
• Add enough remaining flour to form a soft dough.
• Turn onto a floured board; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes (5 mins in the mixer).
• Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top.
• Cover and let rise in warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
• Punch dough down.
• Shape into three loaves; place in greased 8 x 4 x 2 inch loaf pans.
• Cover and let rise until doubled about 30 minutes.
• Bake at 375 for 20 minutes or until tops are golden.
• Remove from pans to cool on wire racks.