Summer Garden Goodness

I love summer foods fresh from the garden, and zucchini is one of my favorites. It’s so versatile. We grill it, bake it into chips, fry it alone or with other veggies, put it in fried rice, bread it and bake for dipping in sauces, and of course make zucchini bread, but my favorite recipe is one that my daughter-in-law gave me last year. I’m not sure where she got it, so can’t give credit where credit is due, but these blonde brownies are the absolute best and simple to make. I just made this batch to share with my book club tonight. 

 

Here’s the recipe: Zucchini Blonde Brownies

2/3 cup butter

2 cups brown sugar

1 egg

2 tsp vanilla

2 cups flour

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 1/2 tsp cinnamon

1 1/2 cups grated zucchini

1 cup butterscotch chips

 

Cook butter in a saucepan over medium heat till it starts to turn golden brown, stirring occasionally. Add the brown sugar. Remove from heat and let cool for 5-10 minutes.

Pour butter/sugar mixture into a mixing bowl. Whisk in the egg and vanilla. Add the dry ingredients and mix together. Stir in the zucchini and chips.

Spread batter in a greased 9x13" pan.

Bake in a preheated 350° oven for about 30 minutes or till the middle is set.

 

NOTE: Batter should be between cookie dough and brownie. If thinner, they still taste good, but will be more cake like rather than brownie like. Too keep from getting too thin, squeeze excess juice out of shredded zucchini.

Try them! You won’t be sorry!

 

On the writing side: I’m super excited that both books in the Osterlund Saga have been accepted by my editor. I’m anxiously awaiting to see what the Harlequin Art Department comes up with for the covers. Set in the 1930’s, Marriage or Ruin for the Heiress is Jolie and Randal’s story, and twenty odd years later, set in the 1950’s The Heiress and the Baby Boom is their daughter’s story. 

 

Here’s the blurb for the Marriage or Ruin for the Heiress:

A pretend marriage A passion that’s anything but…

The great depression has left heiress Jolie Cramer’s family destitute! To save them, Jolie must abandon her dreams of independence and marry wealthy Randal Osterlund. Thank goodness Randal only wants a wife to secure a business deal and shares her feelings about love—nothing but heartache! Jolie quickly realizes that’s not all they have in common, but falling for her charismatic husband wasn’t part of their agreement…

From Harlequin Historical: Your romantic escape to the past.

The Osterlund Saga Two generations taking twentieth-century America by storm!

Book 1: Marriage or Ruin for the Heiress
Book 2: The Heiress and the Baby Boom

 

Book 1 will be released December 28^th and Book 2 will be released a month later.

 

I hope you are all enjoying your summer!