An abundance sounds so much more attractive than a glut, so this year I have an abundance of courgettes. Whilst last year's crop was abysmal this year's harvest has been the complete opposite. I've been picking courgettes since the end of June just before we went on holiday. This last week has seen multiplying furiously as well as seemingly doubling size almost overnight. Although I sowed three varieties back in April I have only planted two varieties at the allotment namely the old stalwart 'Romanseco' and 'Floridor'. 'Romansesco' produces long green ridged courgettes whilst 'Floridor' sets forth sunshine coloured globes. I did plant four plants though and it's just as well that one plant is not producing at the same rate as the others. In fact it seems as if it is still in first gear which is just as well. It's probably just as well that my 'Brice' seedlings floundered at an early stage, so did a later sowing of another round green courgette, although one plant of the latter is just about hanging on. You can have too much of a good thing.
So what to do with the half dozen or so courgettes that came home with me yesterday morning? It was way too hot to attempt any gardening activities so I decided to do some baking and made a courgette loaf cake. My brain was probably not in gear as I ended up glowing profusely in a warm kitchen although we did enjoy a slice of my creation later in the day. There are various recipes for courgette based cakes. I used this particular recipe from the BBC Good Food website. One or two commenters suggested that the cake needed longer in the oven than the time suggested by the recipe. I cooked it in a fan oven and did not find this to be the case. There were also some remarks suggesting that the cake although pleasant could do with more flavour. Himself and I agreed with this and if I try it again might well add some orange zest to the recipe. There are also versions of courgette cake which include chocolate - mmmmmmm. The recipe took care of one almost marrow sized courgette plus a smaller one so I still have three stripy green courgettes plus one yellow football to contend with. Anybody like a courgette ... or two .... or would you rather join me for afternoon tea?
I love the BBC Good Food website, there's always great recipes on there for whatever ingredients you've got. I came home from holiday to ginormous marrow sized courgettes which were definitely past their best but the plants are continuing to produce, it's just a case of catching all the fruit before it gets too large.
ReplyDeleteI have to say I was wondering about your logic in leaving a hot garden for a hot kitchen! Having said that I roasted a chicken in the middle of a heatwave last week, the theory being that it was cooler in the flat then than later in the evening. I only planted one courgette this year which has grown to be massive and is producing a couple of good sized courgettes every couple of days. Enough for me and my helper so I think I may have got it right for once!
ReplyDeleteWe'd join you for an afternoon tea if we could, that cake looks yummy!
ReplyDeleteI am sure that for any veg gardeners the last thing they want is an offer of courgettes - ha, not me anyway. I am not having an abundance at the moment, just a steady flow, which suits me fine. Your cake/loaf looks very moist and inviting. I made one last year but don't think I squeezed the courgettes enough because it was very heavy - but another try could well be on the books for this year.
ReplyDeleteWould love to come for tea Anna! ;-) I have made a lemon and courgette cake before, but the chocolate courgette combination was definitely better as it makes a really moist cake!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the rest of them... i didn't grow any this year as the mildew got so bad, but have got some in the fridge for stuffing this week. :)
Very timely Anna, I planted two again, even though I know this is too many! I'malso going to try courgette fritters, and am loving tthem in frittata and a River Cottage thing with potatoes and olives. But two marrows in the compost bin already...
ReplyDeleteSounds delicious, Anna, I always do a courgette cake with pineapple which I love but will try yours soon. Thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteThe cake looks lovely, I must try one this year, I usually think that it doesn't use enough courgette for the amount of work involved! When I have a couple of overgrown courgettes I make Marrow (courgette) and ginger jam, which is possibly my favourite jam for toast on Sunday mornings.
ReplyDeleteWell I shall certainly try this as I am up to my ears in courgettes at the moment. It looks delicious.
ReplyDelete