Recipes for summer vegetables : Courgette loaf cake.

07.08

Cider-with-Rosie-summer-vegetable-recipes-7

If there’s any one vegetable you can always count on to be plentiful when growing your own, it’s the courgette. Last year I had three plants growing in the tiny garden of our old house, and such a bountiful supply I promised myself that in 2018 I’d cut back to just two plants.

But in reality? I’ve somehow managed to end up with five, yes, FIVE plants of differing varieties, and we’re picking an average of two courgettes a day. Last weekend we picked NINE. It’s madness, madness I tell you!

So what to do with them all? Well, we’re cramming them into just about every savoury recipe going (from risottos and pastas, to fritters and salads), I’ve made batches of pickles and chutneys, but my current favourite way to use these sweet summer squashes up is to bake them into a loaf cake.

Cider-with-Rosie-summer-vegetable-recipes-3 Cider-with-Rosie-summer-vegetable-recipes Cider-with-Rosie-summer-vegetable-recipes-2

The cake itself is the simplest thing to knock up (even with the help, or hindrance, of a toddler), and is absolutely delicious too.

It doesn’t taste exactly of courgettes, in the way that carrot cake doesn’t taste exactly of carrots, but it does have a certain undefinably ‘green’ flavour that works so well alongside the freshness of berries or some citrus zest. I’ve been topping it off a simple lemon glaze more often than not, but this time, thanks to a distinct lack of lemons available in the house, I had to get creative with a few of the first blackberries of the season instead.

Simply warmed through, crushed, and then mixed with a small mound of icing sugar, it made the most delicious topping for the cake. And oh so seasonal, too!

Cider-with-Rosie-summer-vegetable-recipes-4 Cider-with-Rosie-summer-vegetable-recipes-5  

The recipe is one I’ve adapted from BBC Good Food, though minimally it must be said. Mainly through laziness (I didn’t have self raising flour first time I made it and so replaced with plain flour and just doubled up the baking powder), and also I’ve removed the sultanas because does anyone really want sultanas in a sponge cake? I think not.

Makes one loaf cake.

Ingredients:
350g courgettes
250g light brown sugar
125ml sunflower oil
3 large eggs
1tsp vanilla extract
Grated zest of 1 lemon
300g plain flour
2tsps baking powder

- Preheat the oven to 180 degrees, and grease and line a loaf tin with parchment paper.

- Grate the courgettes, then put them all into a tea towel and wring out as much of the moisture as you can.

- Add the courgettes to a large bowl, and add in the sugar, oil, eggs, lemon zest (if using), and vanilla extract. Mix together. Tip in the flour and baking powder, mix thoroughly, and then pour the batter into the lined cake tin.

- Bake for 50minutes-1 hour, and then allow to cool slightly before turning out onto a wire rack.

- A simple and delicious glaze can be made by mixing icing sugar into fruit juice (lemon, orange, grapefruit, mashed berries…) until a smooth runny consistency is achieved. Allow the cake to cool completely before icing.

Cider-with-Rosie-summer-vegetable-recipes-6 Cider-with-Rosie-summer-vegetable-recipes-8

 

If you have a go and make it yourself, do tag me in a photo on Instagram! I’d love to know how you get on!

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...
6 Comments
Posted in CAKE, COUNTRYSIDE LIFE, EATING SEASONALLY, FROM MY HOME TO YOURS, KITCHEN GARDEN, RECIPE, SUMMER
  • http://www.kayleighawright.co.uk Kayleigh

    Oh this looks so delicious Rosie! I have never thought to add courgette in my baking before, but I’ve heard it makes such a delicious cake ingredient! I shall have to try it out at some point. Thank you for the recipe share :)

    Kayleigh | http://www.anenthusiasmfor.co.uk

  • http://thelensaffairs.blogspot.co.uk/ Kimberley Miller

    My gosh this look delicious!

  • http://www.daisybutter.com Michelle | Daisybutter

    This looks and sounds delicious Rosie! Some family friends brought round a batch of homegrown courgettes at the weekend and we’ve just been making stir fries and fritters aplenty with them – must must try this recipe at some point this week!

  • Tracey

    This looks crazy good. Can’t wait to try it!
    Tracey
    Girlabouthome.com

  • Jenn Gray

    This looks so nice, I bet a slice goes fantastically well with a good cup of tea! I am also with you on the no sultanas in sponge cake.
    Jenn x
    lavenderandblack.wordpress.com

  • ninegrandstudent

    I made a Courgette and Orange Loaf last week, and it was the most popular cake in my office that I’d ever bought in. It was delicious! We used a cream cheese frosting which worked really well… and it had none of the dreaded dried fruit!

    LIFE & LOVES: A Foodie Blog

Read from the beginning >