Zucchini Cream Food

CREAMY ZUCCHINI SOUP

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large pot over medium high heat. Add garlic and onions, and cook for 3 - 4 minutes until they are light golden brown.
• Add zucchinis, broth and water. Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce heat to medium. Optional: Scoop brown foam (scum) off surface every now and then.
• Cook for 15 - 20 minutes or until zucchini is very soft.
• Use a stick blender to whizz until smooth. (Note 1 for blender)
• Stir through cream and milk. Add salt and pepper to taste.
• Ladle into bowls, swirl over a touch of cream if desired, a pinch of shredded parmesan, and more pepper. Serve hot or at room temperature.

CREAM OF ZUCCHINI SOUP

Steps:

• Saute onion in butter in a large saucepan until tender. Add the zucchini and broth; stir well. Bring to a boil; cover, reduce heat, and simmer 15 minutes or until the zucchini is tender.
• Use an immersion blender to puree the zucchini/onion mix, or place in a blender.
• Return the pureed mixture to the saucepan. Stir in half and half and seasonings. Cook zucchini mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture is thoroughly heated. Ladle soup into individual soup bowls. Sprinkle evenly with shredded Cheddar cheese.

ZUCCHINI CREAM

Steps:

• Cut off stem and blossom ends of the zucchini and peel. (Remove all the green for a prettier color at the end). If the zucchini are very large, cut in half lengthwise and remove the seeds. If small, leave whole. (I cut the zucchini into chunks at this point).
• Boil in a small quantity of water until tender OR you may microwave in a covered dish until tender, about 10 minutes. In either case, drain well, then mash or process to a smooth pulp.
• Cook in the top of a double boiler over hot water with sugar, butter, lemon juice and zest. Stir frequently, until thick and creamy, about 15 minutes.
• Ladle into hot sterilized jars, leaving 1/4 inch headspace. Wipe rims clean, put lids and rings in place and tighten down.
• Invert jars for a few minutes, then return to upright and cool completely. Check seals, label and store in cool, dry place.
• Note: It took 30 minutes for my batch to cook down. I processed my jars in a hot water bath for 5 minutes.

ZUCCHINI ROLL-UPS

Steps:

• Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium heat.
• Brush both sides of the zucchini slices with olive oil and place them on the grill. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill, turning occasionally, until very soft but not falling apart, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove the slices to paper towels to absorb the excess moisture. Let them cool completely.
• Spread about 2 teaspoons of the herbed cheese onto each of the zucchini slices. Place a basil leaf on top. Starting at one end, roll each zucchini slice up until it's a nice neat roll.
• Serve the roll-ups on a platter garnished with small basil leaves. These can be assembled and chilled up to 3 hours before serving.

FAST AND EASY ZUCCHINI SOUP

Steps:

• Stir zucchini, water, and chicken bouillon cubes together in a stock pot; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium, place a cover on the pot, and simmer the mixture, stirring occasionally, until the zucchini is tender, about 20 minutes.
• Drop cream cheese into the soup; cook and stir until the cheese melts, about 5 minutes.
• Blend the soup with an immersion blender until smooth.