eat your veggies

We had a lovely dinner with friends last night. For dessert, I made a recipe from my favorite cookbook, From Asparagus to Zucchini: A Guide to Farm-Fresh, Seasonal Produce. What could one find for dessert in a vegetable cookbook, you ask? How about a fabulous chocolate cake that even the kids inhaled? Here's the recipe (with some small adaptations). Top with vanilla ice cream and smother with hot fudge for the ultimate veggie indulgence.

Double Chocolate Zucchini Cake

2 1/2 c. flour
3 T. cocoa powder
1 t. baking soda
1/2 t. baking powder
1/2 t. cinnamon
1/4 t. cloves
3/4 c. oil
1 1/4 c. sugar
2 eggs
1 t. vanilla
1/2 c. buttermilk or sour milk
2-3 c. grated zucchini
1 1/2 c. chocolate chips

Whisk together dry ingredients. In separate bowl, mix together oil, sugar, eggs, vanilla and milk. Add dry ingredients until moistened. Stir in zucchini and chocolate chips. Pour into greased and floured 9 x13 pan. Bake at 350 for 35 minutes.

I love this cookbook because the recipes are organized by vegetable. Don't know what to do with a Jerusalem artichoke? Never cooked with celeriac? Have an over-abundance of rhubarb? You'll find delicious ways to eat all your veggies. And on the same site where you can buy the cookbook you can find a local farm where you can buy your produce. Support small, family-owned farms and buy organic veggies, milk, meat, etc., from producers right in your community!