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6/22/12

Use that zucchini to make... apple pie! (No apples needed!)



I've made this pie about 40 times.  Here is a photo from 2006 - made FAST with a store bought crust!



Back in 2009 I posted about my then 13-year-old begging me to make her favorite pie:  Zapple.  Actually it's a toss up between Appie Pie and Zapple Pie because they taste the same.  One made with apple and one with zucchini but if you don't tell...  no one will ever know!  Just slice the zucchini to look like apples and you are off to one amazing pie everyone will rave about.

That 13 year old is now 16 but she still hasn't stopped asking for this pie about every 4 - 5 months.  Now that our zucchini plant is going CRAZY with zucchini offerings I am more than ready to make this again.  I even picked up some yummy French Vanilla ice cream at the store yesterday to serve with it.  Warm Zapple Pie and ice cream or whipped cream...  oh my.



Zapple Pie

6 c peeled, scooped out, quartered and thinly sliced zucchini
1 1/4 c sugar (3/4 - 1 1/4, adjust to your own taste)
1 t vanilla
4 T real butter
2 t cinnamon
1/4 t nutmeg
1/3 c lemon juice + water to make 1/2 c
1/3 c flour
1 pie shell with top crust


Preheat Oven: 450.

In a saucepan over medium heat combine the zucchini, sugar, butter, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg. Add 2 T lemon juice. Stir to mix and cook until tender, about 10 minutes. Mix the rest lemon juice and water with the flour in a cup and stir into the zucchini mixture to thicken. Remove from heat.

Spoon the zucchini filling into the pie shell. Place the top crust on and crimp the edges to seal. Put the pie into the hot oven and close the door. Then reduce the heat to 350. Bake for 25-30 minutes until the top is browned and the filling is bubbling.

Cool completely or slightly warmed to serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.



Yes, you really use Zucchini


Scoop out the seeds and quarter the larger vegetables, halve the smaller ones


When it's simmering, your family will start to converge in the kitchen
and ask you what smells so wonderful


Don't forget the vent holes to let steam escape!


Letting it cool... the hardest part!








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