Food Holidays: April 25th, 2022

Welcome to our series sharing Food Holidays: April 25th, 2022. Today is National Zucchini Bread Day. I must admit I’ve never had Zucchini and neither has Charlie. As for David I don’t think he has either. Before you ask if we should try out Zucchini Bread this morning, we should but I don’t plan on it. Instead, I am going to sit this Holiday out. I will let you celebrate National Zucchini Bread for me today.

National Zucchini Bread Day

Five Facts about Zucchini

• Did you know Zucchini has more Potassium than a Banana?
• The word Zucchini comes from ‘zucca’ the Italian word for Squash.
• Biggest is NOT best. The most flavorful Zucchinis are small- to medium-sized.
• According to World’s Healthiest Foods Nutrition info, nutrients and vitamins found in Zucchini can help prevent Cancer and Heart Disease.
• Did you know the flower of the Zucchini plant is also edible?

National Zucchini Bread Day is celebrated on April 25th annually. We all love celebrating Food Holidays because we get to try new foods. Zucchini bread is so sweet and tasty, it deserves a slot on the food calendar. There are dozens of Zucchini bread recipes to choose from. Appeasing your craving for Zucchini Bread without guilt because of the high nutritional value and fibrous properties of the Bread. Zucchini is an easy Vegetable to grow, why not use the Holiday as a day to start your very own vegetable garden?

HISTORY OF NATIONAL ZUCCHINI BREAD DAY

‘Zucchini’ originated from the Italian word ‘zucca,’ meaning Squash. Several theories propose that Zucchini may have come from Mexico thousands of years before arriving in Italy, specifically from 7000 to 5500 B.C. Although Zucchini has been around for millennia, it remains the main ingredient in most Mexican recipes.

As the story goes, Italian immigrants brought Zucchini back to North America in the 1920s where native Americans enjoyed Zucchini for its ability to be eaten raw. 

To prepare Zucchini Bread batter is put into bread pans and then baked in the oven. There is an abundance of Zucchini bread recipes including Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread, and Lemon Zucchini Bread. Zucchini Bread can be served in slices with Jam, or Butter. The primary ingredient in Zucchini Bread is Zucchinis. You can add other ingredients like Dried Cranberries. Any good Chef will agree that Zucchini Bread is a great recipe for beginner cooks because Zucchini Bread is relatively easy to prepare.

Zucchini is classified as a ‘quick bread’ and although there aren’t any recipes for Zucchini Bread. The first Quick Bread methods can be found in Amelia Simmons’ 1796 publication called “American Cookbook,” which was actually the first American cookbook to be published. 

Zucchini is great when Grilled on its own. Or used in Stir-Frys. Zucchini can also be steamed for a healthy alternative. Cut yourself a slice of Zucchini Bread today in honor of National Zucchini Bread Day!

NATIONAL ZUCCHINI BREAD DAY ACTIVITIES

1. You can celebrate the Holiday by baking Zucchini Bread. Enjoy the Bread and take lots of pictures for proof of your baking skills.
2. There’s truth in the saying “sharing is caring.” Bake a loaf of Zucchini Bread to enjoy with neighbors, and coworkers.
3. Learn about the different Zucchini variations and find out which are available in your area. Use the #NationalZucchiniBreadDay hashtag to spread this knowledge.

5 FACTS ABOUT ZUCCHINIS

1. According to World’s Healthiest Foods Nutrition info, nutrients and vitamins found in Zucchini can help prevent Cancer and Heart Disease.
2. Zucchini has more Potassium than a Banana.
3. The flower of the Zucchini Plant is also a tasty treat.
4. The world’s largest Zucchini was grown in Canada by Giovanni Batista Scozzafava. The Zucchini measured eight feet and three-point-three inches long.
5. The British and the French refer to Zucchini as ‘Courgette.’

WHY PEOPLE LOVE NATIONAL ZUCCHINI BREAD DAY

1. Zucchini is healthy and is mineral, vitamin, and antioxidant rich. Zucchini is also high in fiber and has a low-calorie count for good digestion and weight control.
2. Zucchini has a mild flavor and is slightly bitter. Zucchini is also slightly sweet and gets sweeter the more you cook it. Cooking also softens Zucchini. Making it tender to bite into even when eaten raw.
3. Zucchini comes in a variety of shades of green and has shiny skin. Ample pretty pastel green round Zucchini are prized for their especially rich flavor.

Thank you,

Glenda, Charlie and David Cates