Pat’s zucchini loaf cake

Posted on 12 March 2018 by Glenda

I was watching “Gardening Australia” on Friday night, as you do in the country 😦 , and a segment came on which really warmed the cockles of my heart.

It was about a lady named Pat and her vegetable garden. Pat is in her 90s and still tends to the garden with the help of her son, granddaughter and great granddaughter.

The garden was started by Pat’s late husband’s (Russell) parents. Pat moved into Russell’s family home after they married. Russell was the youngest of eight boys and six girls, and was born and raised in the house. After Russell’s parents died, Russell and Pat continued the garden together. Russell died a few years ago.

The vegetable garden has sustained five generations of the one family. Wow!

In the segment, Pat made a cake with zucchinis from her garden. I decided I would make Pat’s cake but … I never grow zucchinis because I know I will be inundated with them in summer when I am also overwhelmed by tomatoes, corn, beans and cucumbers. As a result, I couldn’t just go out to the vegie patch and pick a zucchini for the cake. I had to bloody buy one!!. Oh well, I figured there was sure to be an honour box on the side of the road with zucchinis for 50c each or even, if I was lucky, 3 for $1.00.

What is the world coming to? There was not a zucchini to be seen on the way to town! And when I got to town, the zucchinis were $2.00 each! That is unheard of this time of the year around here. I had my heart set on Pat’s zucchini cake so I bought two. Alas, one would have been sufficient.

I added a cup of walnuts which was not in the recipe. I could not control myself. Walnuts always make a loaf taste better.

The photo above was taken just after the cake came out of the oven. I had to have a slice so I could report on how it tasted – very nice (especially with the walnuts). 🙂

Pat’s Zucchini Cake

Ingredients:

3 cups self-raising flour*
2 cups grated zucchini (one medium sized zucchini). It didn’t say to do but I drained it.
1 cup brown sugar
2 tsps mixed spice
1 cup vegetable oil
3 eggs

* Hi everyone. I got these quantities from he ABC Website but a few people have mentioned that Pat used 2 cups of SR flour on the show so I will use 2 next time.

Method:

Pre-heat oven to 180°C.
Sift the flour and mixed spice together.
Lightly beat the eggs in a separate bowl.
Add grated zucchini, brown sugar, vegetable oil and lightly beaten eggs (and one cup of walnuts if you, like me, are a walnut fiend) to the flour.
Mix roughly and spoon into baking tins.
Bake for 25-35 minutes (depending on size of your tins). I used a 23cm x 13 cm Wiltshire enamel Loaf Pan which took all the batter but, because it was bigger, it took longer to cook, about 50 – 55 minutes. Pat used two small tins so that would be why her cakes took less time to bake.

23 thoughts on “Pat’s zucchini loaf cake”

Jan B on 21 January 2020 at 10:00 said:

I watched Pat make her zucchini cake on Gardening Australia, Sunday 19th Jan, 2020. She used 2 cups SR flour, & 1 cup sunflower oil. I made the cake yesterday. It turned out brilliantly. I sifted the flour & mixed spice, added 1 grated zucchini, then sugar, oil & beaten eggs. Mixed well, then put mixture into a 17cm round cake tin. I cooked the cake in a 160C fan forced oven for 1 hour. I can’t have brown sugar, so used white instead. I’m hoping the cake can be frozen. Pat didn’t say anything about that. I’ll try it & see. A very economical recipe. A good one to feed kids who hate eating things like zucchini 🙂

Reply ↓
- Glenda on 21 January 2020 at 11:03 said:
  
  Hi Jan. yeah, it looks like the A B C website got it wrong. I will use the ingredients as per the show next time.
  
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  - Anonymous on 21 January 2020 at 12:57 said:
    
    Hi Glenda. Yes, they did get it wrong. If a recipe is going to be put online, the least they can do is make sure its correct. I think it wouldn’t matter what kind of oil was used. I just happened to sunflower in the cupboard. Pat definitely said sunflower oil. I’m very happy with the way the cake turned out. I thought with that much oil in it, it would be greasy & taste of oil, but it doesn’t. 1 good-sized grated zucchini is enough for 2 cups. I’ll know when making this cake again :). If u have school-aged kids, this would be a good addition to the lunchbox. Have a great day. Cheers!
    
    Reply ↓
    - Anonymous on 21 January 2020 at 12:59 said:
      
      Hi Glenda. That was me, Jan B, who sent u the ‘anonymous’ message. I’m not up with all this technology stuff! 🙂
      
      Reply ↓
Diana on 1 August 2019 at 10:21 said:

I’m sure pats recipe was 2 cups sr flour and 3And 2 cups grated zucchini

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- Barbara C Byrne on 19 January 2020 at 11:24 said:
  
  I just watched a re run of this episode and she did say 2 cups SR flour.
  
  Reply ↓
  - Glenda on 19 January 2020 at 21:55 said:
    
    I just checked the ABC website from where I got the recipe. It says “3 cups” so they must have got it wrong. No wonder it was a bit crumbly. 😟
    
    Reply ↓
Moya on 15 March 2018 at 23:11 said:

Glenda, hope I’m able to potter around the garden at ninety! The loaf looks lovely and I’m with you on the walnuts 🙂

Reply ↓
- Glenda on 15 March 2018 at 23:57 said:
  
  Hi Moya, I love walnuts in sweet things.
  
  Reply ↓
sherry MacKay on 13 March 2018 at 13:05 said:

it sounds and looks splendid. what a wonderful woman Pat must be. clearly gardening and cooking keeps you young. here’s hoping:)

Reply ↓
- Glenda on 15 March 2018 at 23:57 said:
  
  Hi Sherry, I hope that is all that is required to stay young 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
  - sherry MacKay on 22 March 2018 at 10:38 said:
    
    i think just staying interested in life and busy is a fine thing and keeps us young. xx
    
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cristina johnston on 12 March 2018 at 21:45 said:

MEA CULPA! I FORGOT TO ADJUST MY RECIPE FOR ZUCCHINI BREAD USING UNBLEACHED WHLE WHEAT FLOUR
Pls adjust if you’re going to follow recipe using unbleached whole wheat flour
Since this flour does not contain baking powder, I add 4.5 tsp baking powder or 3 tsp baking powder 1 tsp baking soda and 3 tsp of salt ( I adjust this only when using non self rising white flour) I use King Arthur’s flour for my baking.
SORRY please adjust if using unbleached whole wheat flour!!

Reply ↓
- Glenda on 12 March 2018 at 23:04 said:
  
  Hi Cristina. Thanks for the recipe, I will try it but I need to clarify a few bits. I think there must be a few typos. No amount of flour is mentioned and is the amount of butter supposed to be one third a cup?
  
  Reply ↓
  - Cristina on 12 March 2018 at 23:23 said:
    
    I hope u try it first. Please let me know if it works out .
    For this, I use 3 cups of unbleached King Arthur’s whole wheat flour , as for the oil, I used EVOO but then, I substituted EVOO for extra virgin LIGHT olive oil ( I am not sure it is available in your part of the world but where I shop, it is ore expensive than EVOO because of supply and demand, not selling as well) . The yogurt I used is non fat Greek yogurt with fruits on the bottom. It comes ini 5.3 ounce but when I remove the fruit, it is probably less. I have substituted that with regular yogurt but that does not work as wel. I found to too wet) ) With greek yogurt, texture is heavier, and occasionally, I add equal amount of Mott’s applesauce in small individual cup ( almost the same amount if not less than 5.3 ounces) when available.
    HOPE U LIKe it. pass me a note when u try
    
    Reply ↓
    - Cristina on 12 March 2018 at 23:27 said:
      
      I use either half a stick ( 1/2 cup) or 1/2 cup of butter witout applesauce. When I add applesauce, I will use 1/3 cup.Sorry, my cooking is such that I do not follow recipes strictly.
      
      Reply ↓
      - Glenda on 12 March 2018 at 23:30 said:
        
        Thanks, I will make it with the second zucchini I bought.
        
        Reply ↓
        
        cristina johnston on 13 March 2018 at 00:44 said:
        
        ok, i hope u wil like it.
        sorry my recipe comes in installment
        
        Reply ↓
cristina johnston on 12 March 2018 at 21:31 said:

I use the same but often, I prefer to use whole unbleached wheat flour for y son’s sake. He is Paleo
Bec this recipe is heavier, I use the following ingredients.
3 EGGS,
JUST UNDER 1 CUP OF Demerera SUGAR
greek yogurt 1/4 cup ( I took out bottom fruit)
BEAT UNTIL FROTHY
Add 1 cup f EVOO
Add 1/2 stick of butter
ADD THE DRY STUFF ( Flour, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1 tsp nutmeg, 1 tsp salt)
ADD HALF A STICK OF BUTTER OR 3/ CUP BUTTER SOFTENED OR MELTED
ADD 2 cups of grated ZUCCHINI ( not peeled)
1 tsp vanilla
ADD 1 cup chopped NUTS

I use small tins, 4 of them, 350 convection 35-45 min till toothpick comes out clean.
Occasionally, I even add a small amount of apple sauce9 1/4 cup) if available
It makes a healthy breakfast

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Emily Nixon on 12 March 2018 at 20:09 said:

What a great episode it was – I planned on making that loaf too! And agree nuts make everything better in my view! Emily

Reply ↓
- Glenda on 12 March 2018 at 22:56 said:
  
  Hi Em, it is dead easy to make and quite tasty.
  
  Reply ↓
  - cristina johsnton on 1 August 2019 at 21:03 said:
    
    Here is my zucchini bread loaf I made recently . I also tried them with small yellow squash instead of zucchini ini as I also. have them. I use mini loaf as they are easier for me to store in my Amrican Brilliant cheese dome, for. presentation as well as the fact that I take my8 frozen loaf out at night, have ti for breakfast the next 2 days
    Beat in Kitchen Aid
    4 large eggs till frothy
    1 cup demerer brown sugar.
    Just under 1 cup granulated sugar
    4 ounce Mott’s unsweetened applesauce
    1 cup greek yogurt ( no fruit )
    1/2 cup melted butter
    1 cup LIGHT EVOO
    Add 4 cups shredded zucchini, skin on packed tight
    add flour( same for squash bread)- 2 cups of sifted King Arthur’s unbleached flour, 1 cup of King Arthur’s all purpose send rising flour ,
    add 1 ts cinnamon, 1 tsp nutmeg, 2 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp baking soda , 1 tsp kosher salt
    Add 1 cup toasted pecan ( 8 min at 350)
    1 cup craisin
    Fill ini mini loaf ( 6 per recipe) after spraying the loaf with pam
    bake 325 ( not 350)
    40-45 minutes till toothpick comes out clean
    I turn the pan around after 20 minutes to ensure even baking.
    note: my son prefers that I add chocolate but then, my poms love zucchini bread also. I used to bake some with chocolate chip but when eating and they look up with their mouth drooling, I have to be sure I am eating the non chocolate variety or they will get really sick, so I opt to not use chocolate today.
    brush butter on all sides when done.
    picture shows zucchini bread, squash bread. Somehow, squash bread did not rise as high as zucchini bread( for what reason?) I also showed them together for comparison, exact same recipe. It tasted good( I sliced a piece off to try)
    each recipe yielded 6 mini loaf
    Will freeze them for breakfast and snacks.
    I am not sure I can upload pictures, I will upload it if I can.
    It taste yummy with butter or cream cheese.
    
    Reply ↓
    - Glenda on 9 August 2019 at 09:56 said:
      
      Thanks for the recipe Cristina
      
      Reply ↓