Zucchini Bread

I am weird. No  I am different.

Aren't we all different? I think so too.

I am different because I can never say 'Thank  You' when I receive a favor and move on.

I have to return the favor somehow.

Since people know that, all they want from me in return is some baked goods.

Good for me. Right? I get to try different things.

Good for you too since you get to read about it and see the pictures.

But bad, bad for economy since I am not spending lot of money to buy thank you gifts for people.

Is this good or bad, bad or good god only knows, but let's go to Zucchini bread recipe that I baked to give one of my neighbor as a thank you gesture.

He came and took care of the ants invading my house. Yes, he is a pest control guy and it is good to have such a person as a friend.

Recipe adapted from here.
Ingredients:
All purpose flour - 3 cups
Sugar - 1 cup
Brown sugar - 1 cup (light)
Applesauce - 1/2 cup
Vegetable Oil - 1/2 cup (You can use 1 cup of oil and omit applesauce)
Eggs - 3 large or extra large
Baking Soda - 1 tsp
Baking Powder - 1 tsp
Salt - 1 tsp
Vanilla - 2 tsp
Grated zucchini - 2 - 3 cups (Leave the skin on)
Optional - about 1 cup of chopped nuts or chocolate chips. (See Notes)

Method:
Preheat the oven to 325 F. (I was using dark pans) If you are using aluminum pans, use 350 F. Grease two 8 X 4 or 9 X 5 loaf pans or equivalent with vegetable oil spray. Grease well since the fat content in this bread is low and will stick to the bottom. I used 9 X 5 pan and the height of the bread wasn't too much because of that.
In a bowl, whisk together flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda. Set aside. In another larger bowl, beat the eggs, add applesauce, oil, both the sugars and vanilla. Whisk together till well blended. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet and stir. Do not over mix. Add the grated zucchini and fold gently.  If using nuts or chocolate chips, stir and pour into the pans dividing the batter equally. Bake for 45 - 50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool on the cooling rack in the pan for about 20 minutes and then turn it out on to the rack to cool completely.

Notes:
You can add spices like cinnamon, ginger, allspice, cloves, nutmeg and make it into a spice bread.
2 cups of grated zucchini is enough but adding 3 cups will give a moister loaf.
You can add half zucchini and half grated carrot to make Zucchini Carrot Bread. I believe flax seed egg will work very well here. I am planning to make this bread for someone who doesn't eat eggs. I will be using flax seed egg for that.

Happy Baking!!