Sunday, April 3, 2011

Attack Of The Killer Zucchinis!

In case any of you were not aware, late last year I won a cheese calendar from some fellow Canadiens at We Work For Cauliflower Cheese, in which contains cheese dishes for each month throughout the year.  And, as usual - yet still living up to my job description - I am late in posting my review of March's mozzarella meltdown.  Okay, so there is no mozzarella involved in this month's recipe but there was melted cheese.
 
The recipe for March called for zucchini as the main suspect ingredient.  The only reason I am publishing this article sooner than my lackadaisical ass generally allows is because I am, apparently, deathly allergic to this seemingly benign widow vegetable.   I've been told that I have only a few days to live.

My Grassy Knoll Bullet
(Heh, heh)

Okay, I missed April Fool's Day too.   So I'm three days late and too many dollars short.  Sue me.
 
Anyway, this is a wonderful springtime recipe, extremely simple and very versatile.  It can be served as an entree or an appetizer and leftovers make an excellent starter base for a cheese sauce.

Creamy Zucchini Soup
Ingredients:
  • 1 onion (approx. silver dollar sized or slightly larger)
  • 2 pounds chopped zucchini
  • 2 cups water or chicken broth (I went with the broth)
  • salt & pepper to taste
  • fresh dill to taste
  • 3 to 4 triangles of Vache Qui Rit cheese (Laughing Cow, Boursin or cream cheese)
Directions:
  1. Simmer onion and zucchini in water/broth for about 15 min. or until tender (you don't have to peel the zucchini)
  2. Puree in a food processor or blender (I used a "Daily" hand mixer right in the pot  - really, who needs more dishes to clean?)
  3. Add cheese, salt and pepper (and dill - I didn't have any and omitted it since I don't like it)
  4. Stir until cheese has melted

That's it.  Easy peasy simple.

Oh, right.  The cheese sauce:  If you have some leftover soup, just add some extra cheese (any type will do), some extra broth or milk if it becomes too thick, and other seasonings to taste.  It's great over steamed broccoli, cauliflower, boiled potatoes or anything else you like dressed with cheese sauce - even peas (yeah dufus, I'm lookin' at you!).

Enjoy!


Some of you may be wondering why "pumpkin" is included in the labels for this post.  While I was looking for pictures of zucchini, I came across this:


(I think this might have been found at Charlie Brown's house)

Some time ago I participated in a weekly writing challenge hosted by a fellow blogger,  Jenny Matlock.  The prompt was a photo of a pumpkin patch and the above pic reminded me of my post for that week since it also involved zucchini.  If you are interested, you can find it here.

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36 comments:

  1. When I just need zuchs at the store, I usually buy KY foo just to be funny.

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  2. KY too, not KY foo. Thats something completely different....I said KY foo!!

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  3. Madge: Bwahahaha! Even without the correction, I knew what you meant! So, do you get a 'rise' out of the kid who bags your groceries? Heh, heh.

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  4. Usually at least a strange look. I like to buy strange combos of stuff. Laxative and a 24 pack of tp. Wine candles and twine.

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  5. Madge: What? No 'Preparation H' with the tp? Oh, and you forgot the cheese with that wine.
    ;-)

    It would be funny, though, to see candid clips of such purchases (oh, but do remember to get consent).

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  6. I've bought prep h for wrinkles, but for some reason it's the only thing that I feel weird buying, so I usually get that with an over the hill birthday card. I have a stash of those cards now btw.

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  7. Ain't nothing good with peas. The peas stand alone...and even then I won't et them.

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  8. Not even the crispy pods dufus? They're yummy, I once fit 37 of them in my mouth at once, I have pics to prove it.

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  9. Another use for the zucchini -- tryen' to sneak in those veggies any way I can -- thanks for the recipe...

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  10. I pity the KY foo!

    But I love zucchini... and cheese... and peas! Sorry, Dufus!

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  11. Madge: You have a wrinkly butt? Heh, heh. I heard Prep H is good for wrinkles, zits too(?)

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  12. dufus: Hey, don't knock it till you try it, ya wuss!
    ;-)

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  13. Madge (yet again ;-): I love those peas too! I used to pick and eat them right of the vine in my granny's garden.

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  14. IWW: For you or your kids? Or both? Yeah, it is a very tasty recipe, and your welcome!

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  15. Boom Boom: "I pity the KY foo!" Bwahahaha! You always crack me up!

    I luvs me veggies, too! I think zucchini stuffed with peas and cheese sauce would be quite tasty (and maybe make dufus hurl?). Heh, heh.

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  16. I've never tried prep h for zits, but it helps with baggy eyes. yeah, my whole butt, cheaks and all is one giant wrinkle.

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  17. Oh I love zucchini - I might have to pass this recipe off to my father!

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  18. Made: I don't think you can smooth out a sphincter. It's puckered for a reason.
    ;-)

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  19. meleah: It's very tasty and I'm sure he'd enjoy it!

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  20. I got that wonderful calendar too! And the recipes are great! I do zucchini with creamed cheese melted on it after it's steamed. I really love that it gives the zucchini a "nutty" flavor. So easy too!

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  21. Linda: It is a great calendar, isn't it! I made some more cheese sauce last night for steamed broccoli. Yum!

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  22. You really know how to bring out the best in people. Peas, Prep H, Mister T and sphincters! I pity the peas.

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  23. dufus: Okay - you almost had me 'pea-ing' in my pants, but I'll have give the kudos to Boom Boom for the Mister T reference.

    And if you really pity the peas, eat some and put them out of their misery. Heh, heh. Speaking of Misery, I always thought Boom Boom's avatar kinda resembles Kathy Bates.)

    ;-)

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  24. I would never try to de-wrinkle the spinkter, or as my husband likes to say sphynxter, (and he makes his top lip turn in on his gums when he says it.) Pretty sure that would make it lose all function. NO Thanks.

    I love Boom Boom and Kathy Bates, but I'm not feeling the resemblance.

    I love zuchs fried too with parm cheese.

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  25. I thought I had something to say, but after reading Madge's comment, I don't. I'm just chuckling at the image of her buying a zucc and a tube of KY.

    I'll never eat a zucc again.

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  26. HAA MWJ, you know you will, and you'll be thinking of me when you do it.

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  27. Madge: It's just that one pic of Boom Boom that looks kinda like Bates, otherwise not.

    I'll have to try the fried zucchini with parma!

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  28. BonyMike: Yeah, I guess one wouldn't buy KY with a cucumber since they are usually waxed.
    ;-)

    But, like Madge said, you will eat another zucchini (maybe just not in that shape).

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  29. Have you ever fried them? It's easy shoot me an email, and I'll send you the recipe.

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  30. Madge: I am a veggie freak! I've done fried tomatoes (green and red), and love stir-fry any day of the week. In the summer, I normally b-b-q veggies (after marinating them) and that would include zuccs, but I'll e-mail you for the recipe - sounds good and, since me moms is somewhat allergic to eggplant, zucchini would be a good substitue veggie.

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  31. I love cheese, so any recipe for cheesy goodness gets my attention.

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  32. Well, if that isn't just the cutest zuchini I have ever seen! (Why did saying that feel dirty? Nevermind, moving on.) Thanks for the recipe. I am not the world's biggest zuchini fan - it gets mushy too soon, (See, I just did it again), but that soup sounds yummy! - G

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  33. Monkey Man: I think you'll like this, particularly if zucchinis aren't in your favourite list of veggies but they do have a different flavour - it's quite tasty. (I know I posted a response, but our internet has been iffy, at best, lately).
    ;-)

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  34. GD: Heh, heh (to the "cute" and the "mushy" parts).

    The soup is good. I normally marinade and b-b-q various veggies, one of which is zucchini, but as a soup (or cheese sauce), you don't have to worry about the mushy part.
    ;-)

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  35. How did I miss this one?! I love this soup, it's one of my favourites because it is so easy and yet so delish! And it's great if you've got a very young child who is just starting on "real" food. I'm so glad you're enjoying the calendar, my friend!

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  36. Nicky: This is a fantastic dish, especially for summer since it's real easy and light! Oh, and a great idea to get your kid started on veggies. The calender: yes, I'm eating it up so to speak.
    ;-)

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