The Cheap Vegetable Gardener

Zucchini Muffin Recipe

12.2 years ago recipe, zucchini

This is the time of year when you have more zucchini in your garden than you can deal with.  You neighbors are closing their blinds when they see you coming up the street, here is a delicious option to make use of some of the fruits of your labor.

You can use this same recipe to make a large loaf of bread, but I like the muffin option since it is easier for my kids to grab a snack without having to pull out a knife to slice it up.

Zucchini Muffin/Bread Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup brown sugar (packed)
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup old fashioned oats
• 3 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 2 cups finely grated zucchini (2 medium or 1 large zucchini)
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips (optional)

Directions

• Preheat oven to 350F.
• Stir flour, sugars, spices, baking powder/soda, salt, and oats into large bowl.
• Combine eggs and vanilla to a small bowl, beat and add to larger bowl
• Squeeze out liquid from grated and combine to large bowl until well combined.  Add chocolate chips and stir until well incorporated
• Add batter to 9”X5” loaf pan or into 24 muffins.
• Bake for 60 minutes (bread loaf) or 45 minutes (muffins) and allow to cool for 10 minutes before attempting to slice/consume.

Tags: recipes

Growing vegetables gardens in stumps

12.3 years ago guerilla gardening, outdoor seed starting, vegetables

Many people may have heard of guerilla gardening where eager gardeners will make use of an abandoned lot and start a little vegetable garden on the down low.  Here is another take on a similar idea but a little more out in the open.

My brother-in-law lives in a condominium that unfortunately does not provide much space for an outdoor garden with the exception of several potted plants on a patio.  Looking for a what to expand his garden and get some sun loving plants in the ground he found a great location in some rotting stumps in a common area.

First he dug out some of the rotten wood with enough space of the desired plant to grow.  Next he filled the area with some good quality soil, plant, and water and let nature do the rest of the work.

So far the results look great with some cucumbers ready for picking…

And some nice ripe tomatoes on the vine.

Now one of the disadvantages of growing outside of your own land is you may end up with some fruit missing from people passing by but definitely a great way to bring a little more life to your neighborhood.