Spring is a time of transition and renewal.  Spring is my most eagerly awaited season.  If you have read my previous blogs, I’m sure you are all tired of hearing about how I love Spring, but I truly do!  I can hardly wait until Spring Has Sprung!  It is a time of hope, joyfulness, time of energy, vigor and, my Orange Paleo Zucchini Bread!  According to the late great Robin Williams, Spring is Nature’s way of saying, “Let’s Party!” and I couldn’t agree more!

Spring not only makes us want to go outdoors and exercise but begin to eating and looking healthy before summer is upon us.  For me, some of the best recipes are those I breakout in springtime.  A favourite of mine is Orange Paleo Zucchini Bread!  Some of you may cringe at the thought of the term Paleo, but it is quite tasty and scrumptious with a sweet ambrosial fragrance.  There are many great recipes that stem from the Paleo diet and this is one of many.

Zucchini squash is considered the jewel of the summer squashes.  It has a light sweet flavor and a texture that will almost melt in your mouth.  Zucchini’s many varieties offer many menu options and colorful dishes.  Zucchini’s origins can be traced to Mexico dating back from 7,000 to 5,500 BCE when they were an integral part of their diet.  The ancient diet consisted of maize (corn), beans and a variety of squashes.  This food trio is known as the “three sisters” and is still a mainstay in traditional Mexican cooking.

Zucchini is easily grown and available year round and is easily incorporated into many dishes.  Zucchini has five main qualities: abundance, low in calories, a great source of fiber, delicious and, versatile!

Whether you’re making zucchini pancakes, soup, pasta sauce or zucchini bread, blend it quickly in our Vitamix Explorian E310 2H.P. with a 48 Ounce Container. The Vitamix Explorian is the workhorse blender in its class and is sure to not disappoint with ease of use and blending perfection!  The Vitamix Explorian is at an ALL TIME LOW PRICE OF UNDER $400!!!

If you are choosing a zucchini bread recipe from family, friends, cookbooks or the internet, our bakeware, measuring tools, mixers, and, loaf pans will come in handy!  Want to impress your friends? Bake and serve this zucchini bread in this beautiful enameled cast iron Le Creuset Pate Terrine. Le Creuset cast iron distributes heat slowly and evenly making this dish ideal for all forms of cooking, such as slow-cooking, roasting, searing, stir-frying or baking!

Don’t forget to supply your kitchen with the best-measuring spoons and cups.  Our All-Clad tools and accessories are top in their class for optimum baking!  ON SALE FOR A LIMITED TIME!!

Orange Paleo Zucchini Bread Recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1 medium zucchini (grated, water extracted)
• ½ orange peeled
• 1/3 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
• 4 eggs room temp
• ½ cup coconut cream
• 2 ¼ cup almond flour
• ½ cup sifted coconut flour
• ½ cup of coconut sugar
• ½ tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• ¼ tsp. orange extract (optional)
• ½ tsp. ground ginger
• 1 tsp. orange peel
• 3 Tbsp. melted coconut oil

Topping:

• ½ cup powdered sugar

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350° F.
2. Grate zucchini and make sure to get as much water out as possible.  Wrap a paper towel around the grated zucchini and squeeze out excess liquid.
3. Place eggs, milk, orange, and 1/3 cup of orange juice into your Vitamix blender, and put Vitamix on Variable Speed #1 and blend until well combined.
4. Next combine almond flour, coconut flour, coconut sugar, salt, ground ginger, baking powder in a medium bowl.
5. Add the egg mixture, vanilla and, orange extract and, grated orange peel to your dry ingredients and then stir in your melted coconut oil and mix until well combined.
6. Fold in grated zucchini.
7. Pour into a greased 9×3 bread loaf pan and bake for 45 minutes on the center rack.
8. Insert a toothpick into the middle of the bread to see if it is done.  If the toothpick doesn't come out clean, continue to bake for another 5 minutes.
9. Remove from oven and let cool.

Topping:

1. Sprinkle powder sugar over the top of zucchini bread once cooled.

Optional – add in 1 cup of dried cranberries or 1 cup of chocolate chips for added flavor in step #5.