Zucchini Pie, Anyone? Try it! You'll like it!

 

 

When is a zucchini like an apple? When it's made into a pie! This may sound hard to believe, but when zucchini is prepared this way, it tastes just like apple pie. Seriously!

 

Think about it, though, and you might agree: have you ever had zucchini bread? It sure doesn't taste like sautéed zucchini, that's for sure. It has a sweet, fruity flavor….kind of like apples!

 

So if you slice up the zucchini, season with cinnamon and sugar and heap in a pie crust, you just might think you're eating apple pie.

 

Come on, now. With a garden full of zucchini, what do you have to lose? Give it a try! You may surprise yourself….and this will be lots of fun to fool folks with, too!

 

Zapple Pie with a Streusel Topping

 

Ingredients:

6 cups peeled, quartered, and thinly sliced zucchini (about 2 lb)
1/4 cup honey

1/3 cup sugar

3 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

1/4 tsp ginger
1/2 cup plus 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
1/3 cup flour
1 unbaked 9 or 10-inch pie shell

1/2 cup unbleached all-purpose flour

 

Topping:

1/2 cup packed light brown sugar

1/4 cup oats
1 tsp ground cinnamon
4 Tbs butter
1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts

 

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 450º F.

 

To make the filling, combine the zucchini, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg  in a medium saucepan over medium heat,. Add the 2 tablespoons lemon juice. Stir to mix and cook until tender but not mushy, about 15 minutes, stirring frequently.

 

In a large measuring cup or a small bowl, dissolve the flour in the remaining 1/2 cup lemon juice. Stir into the zucchini mixture. Continue to cook until the mixture thickens, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat. Spoon the filling into the pie shell.

 

To make the topping, combine the flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a small bowl. Using a pastry blender or two knives, cut in the butter until the mixture is crumbly. Stir in the pecans.

 

Spread the streusel topping over the pie filling. Place in the oven and reduce the oven to 350º F. Bake for 30 minutes, until the crust is browned and the filling is bubbling. Turn on the  broiler and broil the pie for about 3 minutes, until the topping is browned.

 

Serve warm or completely cooled.

 

Serves 8

 

Nutritional Information:

Calories Per Serving: 390, Fat: 21g (9 g  Saturated Fat), Cholesterol: 31mg, Sodium: 174 mg, Carbohydrates: 53 g, Fiber: 3 g

 

 

© 2007, Brookshire Grocery Co.  Nutrient counts are rounded to the nearest whole number.  All dietary and lifestyle changes should be supervised by a physician.