Whole Wheat Chocolate Zucchini Muffins

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/2 cup oil
• 1  1/2 cups white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup whole wheat flour ( I used whole wheat pastry flour)
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 4 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 1/2 cups grated zucchini, I used the smallest side of my grater b/c I like it small.  ( I did not really measure this. I used 1 med zuch.)
• 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Place grated zucchini in a strainer and drain as much liquid off as you can. Set aside.

Cream together butter, oil and sugar. Add eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla.  Blend well. In a separate bowl, mixdry ingredients together. Mix dry ingredients into the butter mixture well. Add grated zucchini, and mix well. Stir in chocolate chips. Scoop into muffin pan lined with paper liners or greased well. Bake at 325 degrees F  oven for 18-20 minutes.  Makes 24 muffins.

*I made these last year and they were so rich and moist that I made them again this year.  **WARNING:  They are more like a dessert than a muffin.

Zucchini: Use 142

I've come to realize that Zucchini is just one of those garden veges that is bountiful and somehow no matter if you have enough from your own garden....you seem to find more on your car after church from anonymous donors....0bviously, they simply don't know just how many uses there are.....

Zucchini French Fries

2-3 med to large size zucchini  (skins removed, seeds removed, and sliced into french fry shape.  This is very easy if you already have a french fry making tool....but even if you don't...its worth cutting them)

Put cut zucchini sticks into plastic bag.  Add 2 Tablespoons of Olive Oil, salt, pepper, and any other spice that you like....we added a variety of stuff.  Shake (with bag closed of course.....or if your in the mood to clean up, keep the bag open.)

Pour out on to a cookie sheet.  Place in a pre-heated 400 degree oven for around 25 min...(please check this because I don't know your oven personally, and it might have a slightly warmer personality then my oven does and it could cook those babies faster..or slower depending...so, don't blame me....I'm just sayin')

Anyhow, add Ketchup to a plate..and enjoy them.  I mean really enjoy them...they are not potatoes and they came out of your garden for goodness sake..so eat them knowing you are really doing your best to be a good steward of the harvest you've been given.

Um....okay....yeah, ...enjoy!