Friday, September 4, 2009

What to do with an abundance of zucchini

If life gives you zucchini...make zucchini chips!  We were blessed with an overabundance of this favorite veggie this year. Two huge plants gave us all we could eat fresh and kept on producing! I sliced the fresh zucchini fairly thin, about 1/4" thick, and laid them in the dehydrator. Sprinkled lightly with salt and left overnight it produces a crisp, delicious veggie chip that is fantastic with your favorite dip.  Healthy, low cal, NO FAT!  Perfect when you want something crunchy and lighty salty but are trying to lay off the fattening stuff.  We have been drying these practically non -stop for 3 weeks and what you see in the bowl is all we have. We can't stop eating them.
My sis-in-love turned me onto the next great thing.  Home made greek yogurt in my crock pot!  Seems it is easy as can be using the directions here.  Easy as pie, and with a little honey and fresh raspberries, oh my, it is my family's new favorite treat!  I had a quickie garage sale just before heading to Florida (I made a whole $20, next time I'll advertise, or just donate to begin with)  Sis brought over some things to put in the sale and among them was this yogurt maker. I snatched it up in case the crock pot thing didn't work. Since it does, I went to retrieve the maker to give to Goodwill when I noticed the little jars that came in it were milk glass! Did you know that sis? No, you can't have it back! lol:>)(No. really, you can't).  I think they are perfect for portioning out the yogurt and keeping in the fridge.  If you try this recipe and run into any glitches contact me and I'll try to help. We didn't read the directions as carefully as we should have and had a few batches that didn't thicken properly. We heated them up and came up with a wonderful soft cheese that Victoria herbed and we used as a spread so it is a no lose recipe as far as I am concerned!
Today I have a free day so I'm baking, doing a little sewing (house pillows!) and puttering around. This weekend we take Victoria back to University. Last year I cried all the way home, this year I am just so grateful that her financial aid made it possible for her to go back, and I know she will be fine and will be home before I know it. No tears this year, I swear!   Enjoy the last weekend of summer. It seems more like the first weekend of Autumn to me. The weather is cool and I am ready:>) Happy Labor Day weekend everyone!

18 comments:

  1. Until I came here, I thought I had a relaxing, happy weekend planned, now I want to make zucchini chips and yogurt!

    Hope you have a fun Labor Day weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Ha! Yes, I knew those little cups were milk glass-but you are welcome to them just the same.

    We've been making the zucchini chips since you started us on them. They are so yummy!

    I messed up my last batch of yogurt, then the fridge quit working AGAIN, so I guess it didn't matter. Clarence has managed to get the fridge running once again, for who knows how long.

    I'm so glad you figured out the yogurt thing. With milk prices being so low lately, it makes a really economical treat.

    ReplyDelete
  3. No tears for me? I'm hurt. I am of course glad you won't be sad, but I demand to be sorely missed lol. at least one tear for me before the joyful-dance starts and the room remodel begins? lol. But seriously, that's still my bedroom. Don't do anything to it. I love you!
    ~Victoria

    ReplyDelete
  4. Those chips look yummy! I don't have a dehydrator, I wonder if there is another way to do that without frying?
    Hugs,
    Penny
    p.s. have a wonderful holiday weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I wish I had a dehydrator! Those chips look really good.

    xo,

    annie

    ReplyDelete
  6. Those zucchinni chips look so good! I too wish I had a dehydrator! I am hooked on baked Lay's and these would be great! The yogurt sounds fabulous too, thank you so much for this great recipe Kathy!
    Hugs,
    Amy

    ReplyDelete
  7. This post is chuck full of great ideas! Thank you. And, Happy Labor Day Weekend to you too!!!

    :) T

    ReplyDelete
  8. Glad you're back Kathy. We've missed your sweet posts. Glad your daughters financial aid came through. Kids in CA are having a terrible time.

    Those treats sound wonderful. I wonder if I can find any friends with zuchinni to spare? LOL! It seems most gardeners always have an over abundance of it.

    Dawn

    ReplyDelete
  9. I'm going to give that a whirl! We love greek yogurt - so thanks!

    I'm going to have to try zucchini chips (when I'm all through with the dentist and not afraid to eat anything crunchy!).

    Yeah for Victoria getting financial aid! We've been soooo busy with all that. Savanna just did an essay for the fire sprinkler assoc or something like that on the importance of fire sprinklers ($1000 grant)! A bit here and a bit there and hopefully she'll be able to go to her first choice next year!

    Have a good holiday weekend even though you're dropping Victoria off at school! I'm sure there will be a few tears!

    Manuela

    ReplyDelete
  10. I just did a post on Zucchini & Blueberries. Never thought of doing chips. I'll have to try this one.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Great idea with the zuchini chips. I usually grate it and use it in muffins and bread. Totally fattening. I really need to start thinking healthy thoughts. Mimi

    ReplyDelete
  12. Oh those zucchini chips look good to snack on...good for our diet...First thank God for financial aid....that's the only thing that got daughter through college and law school....I used to call the law school aid office so often that after awhile I didn't even have to give my name...they would yell over to the director
    "Mrs. Adivari is on the line"....
    and don't cry I told you this story last year when she left for college but It's worth repeating...
    We dropped daughter off at Cornell in the dead of winter during a blizzard...she was a mid year entry...No one was back from winter break yet so the campus was dead....She's standing outside the dorm and the snow was coming down in buckets....she looked pitiful....We give hugs and kisses at the curb...get in the van and the husband breaks down in tears.......she's crying....and all I can say was...."Quick pull away before she changes her mind".....that's terrible isn't it...

    ReplyDelete
  13. Those chips look really good right now! What a great treat!!!
    Enjoy your weekend, Kathy. We are BBQ'ing tomorrow with Miss Jean and Mr. In The Garden.

    sending hugs,
    becky

    ReplyDelete
  14. looks like I'd better don the apron ...
    been off grid as of late, sorry♥

    GIVEAWAY OVER AT CITYFARMER ... POP ON OVER!

    ReplyDelete
  15. OMG Kathy, I am in love with Greek yogurt. The only place that I have seen it is in Starbucks. Pricey too, but I love the taste. This is so wonderful. Yes, honey with it is wonderful.

    Thank you.

    Karen

    ReplyDelete
  16. Happy Labor Day Kathy!
    Those chips look so good too!!

    Big hugs to you and your sweet girl as she returns to school - always so bittersweet.

    Love,
    Kim

    ReplyDelete
  17. okay girlie... email me - I want to buy one of your ADORABLE house pillows - pretty please!! When you see my guest bathroom redo, you'll know why! It will be PERFECT for it... save one for ME!!!

    xo,
    Kim

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for taking the time to say hello :)