It must be that time of year again because my parents keep showing up on my doorstep bearing zucchini by the armload. The neighbor lady brings it to their back door when she harvests extra. We like to make this casserole called Zucchini Italiano which really has no Italian ingredients in it except for tomatoes and possibly some oregano? But it makes for a hearty meal here at House Of Hipsters and resides in the church cookbook with my name beside it. I also make my grandmother’s Zucchini Bread recipe. A recipe I’ve eaten for years and years. A recipe I now make for my children that makes them squeal with glee. Today, I’ve decided to share it with you.
I will always remember Grandma Pearl sitting at her kitchen table peeling some sort of vegetable or fruit. Apples, kolrabi, potatoes, beets, carrots. You get the idea. Paring knife in one hand, peeler in the other. She was an incredible cook. Give her a basket of random ingredients and she’d turn into some yummy casserole. After dinner, you’d get whooped in euchre, hearts, spades or sheep’s head…really any game involving cards. You wouldn’t stand a chance. She played for money and for blood, and she’d never let you cheat, no matter how sweet and innocent you’d look at her.
Whenever I bake this recipe, I love the smell in my home. The scent of vanilla and cinnamon hangs in the air. I smile a lot. I hope she’s looking down and me…proud I’m keeping her tradition of baking in the family. The dude and Maus like to help pour and mix the ingredients. I hope to pass this tradition on to them one day.
YIELDS 2 -3 LOAVES (depending on pan size)
INGREDIENTS
4 eggs
1 cups vegetable oil
2 cups Sugar
3 cups grated zucchini (well drained)
1 tsp vanilla (I always add extra…like a lot extra)
3 cups flour
1 tsp soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1-1/2 tsp cinnamon (I add extra here as well)
Optional 1/2 cup walnuts
DIRECTIONS
Mix all ingredients in a bowl and beat.
Pour in pans and sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon. (I always forget to do this…don’t, it’s the tastiest part!)
Bake for 325° for 1 hour.
Easy peasy.
Will ya look at the size of that GIGANTIC zucchini! The neighbor lady knows what she’s doing folks. I think she rubs them with a diaper and sings them lullabies at night. Only serious love grows a giant of such proportions. Like I said, we eat boatloads of Zucchini Italiano! So it’s not the prettiest thing to make, hence the lack of stylize photos in this post, but the end result is completely worth it.
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Margaret
That is one ginormous veg. The bread looks yummy. My grandmother grew kolorabi too. The first crunch of it always reminds me of her.
kyla
MargaretI’m always amazed at just how large this woman can grow her zucchinis! Thanks for stopping by Margaret!
laura irion
I made zucchini bread this week too– can’t get enough! I substitute applesauce for half of the vegetable oil so I can pretend it’s healthier. #kindbodychallenge right?! I’ll have to try your recipe next. 😉
kyla
laura irionYes, this bread does not really fit into the #kindbodychallenge =) Tell me how you like it if you try it!
Chaney
This looks delicious! I’ve never made zucchini bread – but I love to eat it! I’ll have to try this!
kyla
ChaneyHi Chaney! I was just having this discussion with a couple girls from work. One had never had it either. She asked if it was better than banana bread…we all agreed hands down, YES! Try it out and let me know what you think! Thanks for stopping by!
Kitty
I loved seeing the pic of your grandma and the memories that yiu have of her. Isn’t it wonderful how recipes and smells remind us so lovingly of our loved ones? The zucchini bread sounds wonderful!
kyla
KittyHi Kitty, thank you for stopping by. That picture of my grandmother is my favorite. She gave it to me when she was in the nursing home and I cherished it. She reminds me of a little doll. And yes, it’s wonderful to be instantly transported by a smell or sound. Very comforting =)
Vickie
I love zucchini bread! Your recipe is a bit different than mine, so I am going to try yours also! Of course, I have to frost mine with a nice cream cheese frosting! 🙂 Aren’t baking smells the best – especially in the autumn. When the air turns crisp outside and suddenly the house seems warm and snug, nothing smells better than baked apples or pumpkin with the lingering tones of vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg! Sigh…
kyla
VickieI know! I love it! And you had me at cream cheese lady! OMG, I’ll bet that is divine! Might have to whip some of that up when I make my pumpkin roll!
Amanda @ Dwelling in Happiness
YUM!! And, I totally grew zucchini’s this to that exact size!! I seriously them growing out of my ear – I had like 15 that size!! You better believe I gave them away to people too, AND still have 15 cups of shredded zucchini in my freezer. 🙂 Pinning!
Leigha @ The Yooper Girl
This is almost the exact same as MY grandma’s recipe! Try adding a tbsp of orange zest next time. SUCH incredible flavor!!
Midweek Reads #25 - Goedeker's Home Life
[…] Grandma Pearl's Zucchini Bread – I love the sweet story behind this recipe […]
heather @french press
that is one HUGE zucchini, and zucchini bread is always a classic
Amanda @ The Kolb Corner
Some of my best memories are of baking with my grandma. I love my zucchini bread with nutmeg and chocolate chips. YUM! Thanks for sharing at Merry Monday!
kyla
Amanda @ The Kolb CornerOh Amanda, I might have to add chocolate chips to my next batch! hat sounds pretty tasty!
Maria
Your zucchini bread looks beautiful and sounds delicious! Family recipes that bring back memories are always the best! 🙂
kyla
MariaThanks for stopping by Maria!
Joanne T Ferguson
G’day! Thanks for sharing at our #SayGdayParty! Please make sure to revisit if you haven’t already and say G’day to the hosts and someone else at the party! Cheers! Joanne @ What’s On The List Pinned