Man, I’m feeling bummed right now. I would guess that my mom is too based on her tears when I dropped her off at the airport this morning. She starts to cry, then I start to cry…it ain’t pretty! I think I even saw a nearby taxi driver shed a tear.
We always have such a great time together and then when it’s all over I feel a pit in my stomach when she has to leave. I’ve already called her once since I got home from the airport. I may look like a grown woman, but I’m still a mama’s girl at heart. ;)
The good news is, we’ll always have this incredible oil-free Zucchini loaf to remember the good times and great food on this trip!
I even sent her off with a big slice to take on the plane with her. It comforts me knowing that she has my yummy homemade food to eat instead of cardboard plane food. I’m a strong believer in wholegrain carbs when you’re feeling blue!
Plus, carbs are addicting which means that she’ll have to come back to visit real soon…right?
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Oil-Free Zucchini Walnut Raisin Loaf with Cinnamon Streusel
Adapted from Fat Free Vegan Kitchen.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups whole grain spelt flour (or white whole wheat flour)
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 1/2 cup sugar (I use organic cane sugar)
- 1/3 cup raisins
- 1/3 cup chopped walnuts
- 1 flax egg (1 tbsp ground flax + 3 tbsp water, mixed and set aside for 5 minutes)
- 1 & 1/4 cup shredded zucchini (leave skin on), packed
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- 2 tsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tbsp pure maple syrup (or other liquid sweetener)
- 1 & 1/4 cups non-dairy milk (I used vanilla almond milk)
- Cinnamon Streusel topping: 2 tsp non-dairy margarine/butter, 1 tbsp coarse sugar (like turbinado), 1 tbsp flour, 1/2 tsp cinnamon
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350F (see note below). Mix the flax egg and set aside. Oil a regular-sized loaf pan and then line it with parchment paper so you can easily pull out the loaf when cooled.
2. In a large bowl, whisk the dry ingredients (flour, powders, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, sugar, raisins, and walnuts).
3. In another large bowl, combine the wet ingredients (flax egg, shredded zucchini, lemon zest & juice, maple syrup, milk).
4. Add wet ingredients to dry and stir until just mixed. Be careful not to overmix the batter as spelt flour is delicate.
5. Spoon the batter into prepared loaf pan and spread out evenly. Prepare the cinnamon streusel and then sprinkle on top. Bake for about 45-60 minutes at 350F or until toothpick comes out clean and the loaf gently springs back when pressed.
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None of us could believe that this loaf does not contain oil! Magic trick #2 this weekend. (See Magic Trick #1: The eggless fluffy chocolate cupcake!)
The shredded zucchini does a wonderful job giving this loaf moisture..and you don’t taste the zucchini at all. You can see beautiful flecks of green though!
It’s a very dense loaf, but not in a bad way! Whole grain spelt flour tends to make dense breads, but I just love the nutty flavour of spelt so I don’t mind. The walnuts, streusel, and raisins add just the right amount of sweetness and crunch.
We’ve been enjoying this not-too-sweet loaf for breakfast or as an afternoon snack. If you like your baked goods sweet you might want to add another 1/4 cup of sugar, but we thought it was just perfect for a healthy snack.
It’s wonderful spread with Earth Balance, nut butter and jam…or just enjoyed plain!
On that note, I think I may need some endorphin-inducing carbs to cheer me up…
Aw I’m sure your mom misses you even more right now! Did you always feel this way about your mom, or did you go through those teenage years at some point (which is what I’m going through right now!)?
I’ve never tried fat free zuchinni baking before, but I’ve gotta try this trick out :)
Oh yes we certainly went through those teenage years! My mom and I started to become good friends in my early twenties! :)
Love this recipe! I bookmarke it, and I can’t wait to make it some time soon. The ingredients are absolutely awesome!
Gorgeous photos and such an inventive & delicious (not to mention healthified!) recipe as always Angela! Can’t wait to try it out.
Good call sending your mom off with a slice. This looks MUCH better than airplane snacks. :)
I made Zucchini “Bread” Oatmeal yesterday! Reading your recipe for “real” bread, I realize I totally should have added nutmeg too. It was awesome though!
Oh wow, that oatmeal sounds amazing – if you wouldn’t mind posting the recipe, that’d be awesome! :)
Sure! http://www.sprint2thetable.com/2011/06/zucchini-oatmeal
Let me know if you try it!
Awww I’m glad you guys had a great visit, and sorry it had to end in tears! Hopefully you’ll have an opportunity to get together again soon. I bet she was super impressed by all of the DIY you and Eric have been doing! You two ladies look gorgeous!! As does this loaf by the way… ;)
love zucchini breads & muffins! I took a batch to work last year and no one at them :( my feelings were a little hurt but at least that meant more for me! haha
I hate having to say goodbye to my family, even though I know I’ll speak to them soon.
I like the idea of baking something that’s oil-free, and then topping it with a bit of nut butter for some healthy fats.
I am SOLD – I feel very much in a baking mood today, so along with your strawberry oat bars, I am so making this (pretty sure I have *most* of the ingredients). It’s always sad to say goodbye to family and I hope you get to see her soon enough – I think it was a good idea to load her up on your good foods ;) I love seeing the two wall colours in the picture of you and your mom. They look so nice next to each other (just like you and your mom, naturally!)
Thank you! Enjoy the loaf :)
Bookmarked! :)
I hear streusel and I am sold!
I’m a Mama’s girl too ;)
Looks amazing! Oil free goods are really good and so tasty. Most times I am shocked that the taste is so amazing sans oil. I look forward to making this one day soon.
I can’t imagine not living near my parents… they are so important to me and I’d find it so difficult! Will you be visiting them this summer?
This loaf looks so good! My sister is moving into her first home on July 1 so I’ll make her this as a house warming treat :)
Is it possible to add a squished banana and reduce some of the sugar?
Im not sure because the sugar is dry and a banana would be considered a ‘wet’ ingredient. It is usually suggested to maintain the same ratio of wet to dry ingredients. The loaf is already very moist and dense and I would be afraid that a banana might make it too ‘heavy’. Perhaps you could reduce some of the zucchini to maybe 3/4 cup?
I have been on a bread kick recently. This is going to be next on the list!
Awee I bet your Mom is missing you a whole bunch too!! I know the feeling too my Mom and I are more like sisters since I’ve left home and I always anticipate our visits while I’m living in my home during University. How we get by? Tons and tons of phone calls, it makes a world of difference :) And like everything, a little bit of chocolate helps too!
Making this with my mom when I see her in two months (yay!! it’s been since Christmas time last year!)! I hope you and your mom chat via Skype – that helps my mom & I at least “see” each other. Your photos are so bright and beautiful on this post. Beautiful mother & daughter alike! Cheers & have a wonderful day!
That definitely looks yummier than plane food – and hear hear for cheering up with carbs :)
This looks so good! I love your recipes. I’m waiting for the avocado on my counter to ripen so I can make your avocado pasta again.
Looks good, I’m bookmarking this for when our zucchinis start grow in like crazy!!
I’ve been looking for a great zucchini bread recipe.. and I think I might have just found it! Thanks so much Angela!!!