Zucchini extravaganza :) and eating seasonally

A few years ago I read Barbara Kingsolver's very interesting book Animal, Vegetable, Miracle and was struck by the idea of eating seasonally.  I think that our family already does this quite a bit, varying our menus according to what is seasonally available--not nearly to the extent that the Kingsolver family did in the year that the book gives an accounting of--but definitely enjoying the abundance of certain foods in certain seasons.

The lovely source of much of our abundance :) (It's even weeded! Extra wow!)

Tonight's dinner was a nice illustration of seasonal eating...our broccoli is very prolific right now, along with the zucchini, and we got our first ripe tomato of the season! 

Tonight's menu:
*broccoli/zucchini/tomato frittata (was going to be a quiche, but we only got 6 eggs today!)
*zucchini bread
*zucchini brownies
*lemonade

 Yummmmm.  Delicious, delightful, the whole family loved it!!  Hey, it was pretty healthy, too!  (at least the frittata part was!)  I love these summer meals, full of fresh-from-the-garden veggies.  They feel so decadent--just chowing on veggies that cost a fortune in mid-winter--recklessly eating them meal after meal.  There's also something about the brilliant colors that makes it even more delightful!


Would you like a little recipe for tonight's main dish?

6 eggs, beaten
1 cup of sour cream (because we were out of milk!)
1/2 c of water (to stretch the filling!)
salt and pepper
4 c zucchini, cubed (I used a yellow zucch tonight)
4 c broccoli, cut into smallish pieces
1 onion, diced
1 tomato, cored and diced
4 pieces of bacon--cooked, drained, and crumbled
1 c shredded cheddar cheese

Mix ingredients together, pour into greased cake pan and bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 50 minutes or until the egg part is cooked nicely and the top is just barely beginning to brown.  Take out of oven and let set for 5 minutes before cutting into slices.  Enjoy!





I had begun this post thinking about Barbara Kingsolver's book and I guess I'd like to end it with the same thought.  If you have never read Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, I would highly recommend it.  It is not only about eating seasonally, but also about eating locally...and more.  It is nicely written, entertaining, full of great ideas, and thought-provoking.  It's a great read for any time of the year!

Great book, read it.  Seriously.