Have a Fun Weekend

Happy Saturday!

What are you up to this weekend?

(This post may contain affiliate links)

We're celebrating my husband's birthday(!)

We're planning a road trip to Minneapolis, dinner with friends, and anything else he'd like to do.  A birthday simply wouldn't be a birthday without cake, so I've been on the hunt for a health(her) version of his favorite: black forest

I'm also going to try to squeeze in some time at the pool, to either catch up with the water-walking women or float around the lazy river with all of the kids.  My goodness, has it ever been hot and humid in Iowa this past week.  This afternoon, the thermostat on my car read 100(!)

Whatever you're up to, I hope you have a good one

If you haven't been struck by a wave of culinary indecisiveness this time of year, you're either an incredibly organized meal planner, or you've yet to experience the full onslaught of summer veggies

The time of year, when all of the best produce seems to be upon us, all at the same time.  The problem is, everything looks as incredible as it tastes.  I find myself buying a dozen ears of corn one day, picking a few pounds of tomatoes the next, and coming home to a bag of veggies left on our doorstep by thoughtful neighbors.

Before I realize what's happened, our kitchen counter is overflowing

As we head into the weekend, a few ideas for everyone wondering how to process all of the zucchini.

For those who don't often use zucchini, you should(!)  It's easy to shave it into salads, puree it into soups, spiralize it into noodles,  bake it into cakes and breads, or even grate it along with other ingredients into a slaw of sorts.

I've noticed there are several zucchini recipes deep within the archives of The Veggies and thought it might be fun to pull a few of them to the forefront.  There are also a few that have caught my eye from around the web

I hope there's something in the list that catches your eye .. Enjoy!

Zucchini Bread with Walnuts + Chocolate – Love this healthy version of a classic made with almond flour and all-natural sweeteners. It's moist, fluffy, and absolutely delicious!

Zucchini Alla Parmigiana (Zucchini Parmesan) – A twist on one of Italy's most famous dishes.  This lightened-up version includes grilled zucchini instead of fried eggplant and all garden-fresh ingredients

Greek Stuffed Zucchini with Kalamata Olives + Goat Cheese + Tomato Sauce – These stuffed zucchini are simple, and delicious, with the flavors of Greece.  A light and fresh recipe and a perfect way to enjoy them.

Zucchini Noodles and Salmon with Almond-Herbed Pesto – Long strands of spiraled zucchini make a delicious stand-in for pasta in this light and flavor-filled dish

A few other zucchini-centric recipes from around the web:

Burst Tomato Galette with Corn and Zucchini    [via Smitten Kitchen]

Zucchini and Rice Pancakes    [via Bon Appetit]

How to Turn 11 Zucchini into a week of meals    [Food52]

Roasted Zucchini, Black Bean + Goat Cheese Enchiladas    [Sprouted Kitchen]

Dark Chocolate and Walnut Zucchini Bread    [Butter and Brioche]

Sesame Almond Butter Zucchini Noodle Bowls    [Iowa Girl Eats]