Project Zucchini News and A Produce Question

I started project zucchini to keep track of the abundance of these green guys I got over the summer and the myriad of ways I came up with to use them (because I have never not had an abundance of zucchini)....UNTIL NOW!!! The bugs have completely conquered my poor plants.  As of right now I have no new zucchini's and may not have any more for the rest of the summer.  What is a girl to do?

In other produce issues I am just wondering if someone else has some thoughts about this:
Has anyone ever tried to return produce to a grocery store or a big box store like Walmart?  I never have but I have been tempted many a time.  Like this week I bought nectarines and corn from Walmart and both were horrible.  The nectarines were woody and I had to throw all of them away and the corn was super old.  I am not saying it is just a Walmart problem because I have bought bad produce from other stores (though it seems to happen more at Walmart).   I feel like I shouldn't have to eat the cost of those if they were poor quality but I am not sure how I would be received if I took them back to the store and asked for a refund.  Has anyone ever tried this?  Does anyone know if you can even return produce?

This week:

PICKED: 2

TOSSED: 3 (they looked sick)

USED: 1  I chopped him up and put him in with other veggies to marinate for kabobs.  Really yummy that way.

In sad zucchini news my one surviving original plant has finally succumbed to the bugs and is dead.  Good thing the ones I replanted are growing big and healthy-my zuc production should only slow down slightly.

This week:

PICKED: 2

GAVE AWAY: 2

USED: 1

RECIPES: Brown Sugar Zucchini Bread (you have to add the lemon zest-you just have to)

ROLLOVER: 7

I have hit the point where I am beginning to become totally overwhelmed by my own produce production.  I am not ungrateful for it-I just can't seem to get it used-well I guess it is more like I can't seem to find the time to use it all.  I will say, on a side note, that I am feeling pulled out of a recipe slump that I have been in for a few years.  That is exciting for me.  And I just found a great website that can help recipe seekers like me with a little inspiration: DinnerTool  There are lots of great recipe ideas and tips too. 



This week:

PICKED: 2 (crazy only two zucs-my one poor plant is suffering in our heat-but the 3 new plants are looking great)

GAVE AWAY: None (well actually 1 in the form of a casserole-see below)

USED: 3

RECIPES:

Zucchini Casserole (this makes me think of my mom and home and it always will)

*Increase or decrease this according to your likes-this recipe makes a 9x13 pan

2 -3 small zucchinis cut into 1/4's and then sliced into 1/2" thick pieces

2-3 carrots peeled and sliced into thin circles

1/2 cup onion chopped fine

6 tbsp butter

2 1/4 cups croutons

1 can cream of chicken soup

1/2 cup sour cream

*optional 2 chicken breasts cooked and chopped

Cut and prepare zucchini and carrots.  Steam until partially soft and cooked.

In a large saucepan melt butter.  Saute onion in butter until soft.  Add soup and sour cream.  Add 1 1/2 cups croutons.  Add steamed veggies and stir (add chicken also if including it).  Spread into a greased 9x13 pan.  Top with remaining croutons.  Bake @ 350 for 30-40 minutes.  NOTE: it is not that great as a left over-plan accordingly.

Zucchini Cookies

2 cups sugar

1 cup softened butter

2 tsp bkg soda

2 tsp cinnamon

2 cups raisins (we use chocolate chips)

2 cups peeled and shredded zuc

2 eggs beaten

4 cups flour

1 tsp cloves

1 tsp salt

Cream together butter, sugar and eggs.  Add all remaining ingredients and stir.  Drop by the spoonful onto a greased cookie sheet.  Bake at 375 for 12 mins.  NOTE: these are best hot and fresh. 

ROLLOVER: 7

TOTAL TO DATE: 19

I am happy to report that the two zucchini plants I planted are up and growing and a surprise with the one small fry planted-it is up and growing too.  This could be a zucchini nightmare.

This week:

PICKED: 4

GAVE AWAY: none (I know stingy with my zucs these days)

RECIPES: zucchini brownies (it is quite possible that I could eat an entire summer's worth of zucchini in brownie form) and stuffed zucchini (picture below)

This recipe is an adaption of something my mom used at always make (and I used to always avoid having to eat-funny how things change). 
Recipe:
As many zucchini's as you want (basically one half per person). This recipe will make enough for stuffing 4 zucchini halves (more if you use small ones)
1 lb ground beef
1 can cream of celery soup
1 1/2 cups water
1 cup instant rice
1 can corn
Grated cheddar cheese

Cut the zucchini in half and scoop out the seeds.  Then scoop out additional flesh (to chop finally and mix with the meat).  Brown the ground beef in a skillet adding the chopped zucchini pieces (the great thing about zucchini is it cooks down to nothing so it is a perfect sneaky food).  Season meat with salt and pepper and a little garlic powder.  Once beef is browned add the can of cream of celery soup, water and rice.  Bring to a boil and then cover and turn off heat.  Let sit for 5-10 minutes.  In the meantime brush the zucchini halves with oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.  Place on bbq grill until they have a nice char.  (I am talking about like a perfectly cooked hot dog char-blackened in spots).  Remove from the grill.  Add the can of corn to the meat mixture and stir.  Stuff zucchini halves with the meat.  Sprinkle the tops with grated cheese.  Return to the grill until cheese is melted.  Yummy!!!

ROLLOVER: 6 (isn't that the same as last weeks rollover-guess I better make some more brownies)

It was a sad week for project zucchini-one of my plants bit the dust.  I immediately did what any other sane person would so...I planted 2 more in it's place.  Come on little zuc's; don't let me down.

This week:

PICKED: 4

GAVE AWAY:2

RECIPES:

Grilled Stuffed Zucchini

ROLLOVER: 6 (don't worry I will get more zucchini motivated as the pile grows)

Introducing "Project Zucchini"

Our garden is beginning to produce zucchini in abundance.  After last years "zucchini fiasco" with 4 ever bearing plants I decided to plant only two this year.  They however are zucchini producing machines.  My husband suggested that we keep track of just how many we get over the summer.  That sparked a fabulous idea for:

This week:

PICKED-9

GAVE AWAY-1

ATE-3

RECIPES-Marinated zuc on the grill and zuc brownies.

ROLLOVER-5

Let the games begin.  (p.s. if you have any fantastic zuc recipes please share them with me.  It is going to be a long summer :)