Pineapple Zucchini Bread

Ah Summertime...
Here in the South, that means gardening; and just about every vegetable garden has a patch of zucchini.  It's such a prolific plant that the growers I know practically beg friends to take a batch with them during visits.
I happen to like zucchini; breaded and fried or sauteed in medly as a side.
Then there is the oft-imfamous, oft-dry Zucchini Bread Loaf.  The summertime equivalant of the Christmas fruitcake; make it badly, and your friends will remember.    
...but there are terrific recipes out there.
Try this recipe Friend Margaret shared with me; it's Great! 
The pineapple in this recipe adds moistness to bread and is a perfect flavor meld for the zucchini.

Ingredients:

3 eggs

2 cups sugar

3 cups flour

1 cup vegetable oil

2 tsp soda

2 tsp Vanilla

1 tsp salt

2 cups shredded zucchini (not peeled)

1/2 tsp baking powder

1 - 8 oz. can drained crushed pineapple

1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

3/4 cup walnuts (pecans are great too)

Preparation:


1. Drain pineapple (save juice to mix w/ cream cheese to spread on slices) SET ASIDE

2. Combine flour, soda, salt, baking powder, cinnamon and walnuts and set aside

3. Beat eggs in large mixing bowl. Add sugar , oil and vanilla and beat till creamy

4. Stir in zucchini and pineapple and add to dry ingredients (only till moist).

5. Pour into two 9 x 5 x 3 loaf pans and bake

Cool completely and slice.  Try it with Pinapple/Cream Chese Frosting (recipe follows).

 

Pinapple/Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter, room temperature

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, room temperature

4 tablespoons pineapple juice

4 cups sifted confectioners' sugar

Directions

Cream the butter and cream cheese together with an electric mixer in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Add the pineapple juice and continue beating until absorbed into the mixture. Beat the confectioners' sugar into the mixture a little at a time until completely integrated.

Hint:  Try adding more pinapple juice and some cruched pinapple to make a nice drizzle for slices of zucchini bread.  Include a jar of it when gifting the bread.