
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?

[print_this]
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.
[/print_this]

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…

Wow that looks SO good! I can’t believe there is no oil in it! That looks amazing!!!
This looks looks great! I love zucchini and crumble topping. Glad you had fun with your mom! I miss mine a lot, too!
I remember visiting my Grandmother as a little girl and watching my Mom cry as we left her house after our vacation was over. At the time I didn’t understand it because I had my Mom with me all the time, but now I can definitely relate. Leaving your Mom is hard!
I totally agree. My mom used to always say to me, ‘You’ll understand when you are a mom someday!’
Oil free sounds perfect to me! Especially if streusel is involved!
I’m glad you had such a nice time with your Mom! I’m lucky to live within 5 minutes of my parents, but when I lived a few hours away from them I remember getting so sad after they came for a visit — it is so nice to spend time with them!
How sweet! I’m sure the slice she took with her helped :)
I’ve never been a big fan of cooked zucchini (e.g. in a stirfry). Then last year my neighbour offered me a load of zucchini. I didn’t want to offend her so I took it. This led to some exploration and an amazing string of recipes: raw zucchini soup, chocolate zucchini bread, raw zucchini pastas, zucchini hummus etc. I love anything with streusel, so this recipe will get added to the mix!
My whole family just flew 3 hours to be here for my graduation from grad school (including my 3-month-old nephew!). I cried when they got here AND when they left :( Skype helps a lot, though, as does baking! (I call it baking therapy or stress baking…lol)
This looks SO moist for being oil free! Can’t wait to try it!
If anything could cheer you up it would definitely be a big fat slice of that yummy zucchini bread! :) Enjoy!
That bread is almost as gorgeous as you!
This looks so good! Like the perfect after work snack for me. I must make this soon. My parents lives 800 miles away and its really hard when they leave after a great visit. Not fun. But they are coming to see me this weekend so I am excited, maybe I should make this for them!
Beautiful bread, beautiful mom, beautiful you :) Moms are the best! and although my mom lives close by I miss her even I have’nt talked to her in awhile. I hope your day gets better :)
This looks amazing angela! But I’m afraid if I make this, I’m gonna eat it in one sitting :)
Oh, this looks so delicious! I started to tear up reading this post because I haven’t seen my mom since Christmas and I’m going home next week. This is the longest we’ve ever gone without seeing each other, so I am so excited to give her a big hug :)
I am bookmarking this NOW! My garden is about to overflow with zucchini!!
Awww i get to visit my family at the end of the month and i know ill be bawling when i leave:(:(
I love zucchini bread! it reminds me of summer, and my mom since she makes it every summer:):)
This looks really good! :)
Now that I’m all grown up and moved out, I find myself calling my mom and dad a lot during the week just to chat!
I just had an interview for a full-time teaching position, and if I get the job I’m going buy myself a congratulatory camera like yours so that I can really start focusing on the photography portion of my blog!! I love your pictures.
I just happen to have a couple large zucchinis sitting in my fridge, as well as some negleted walnuts and raisins in my pantry. I think this recipe should put them to good use! I can’t wait to sink my teeth into this and top it with the strawberry freezer jam I just made!!!!
My mom just moved this past week, and it’ll be rough having to see each other via plane. Ugh… not looking forward to that!
The recipe looks great by the way! (as usual)