Zucchini Crisp

Zucchini Crisp is a delightful dessert that surprises and delights with its unexpected twist—using zucchini in place of the traditional apples! This clever take on a fruit crisp combines the tender, mildly sweet zucchini with warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, topped with a buttery, oat-filled crumble that’s golden and crispy. The zucchini absorbs the flavors of the spices and sugar, creating a dessert that tastes remarkably like an apple crisp. It’s a perfect way to use up an abundance of zucchini, offering a sweet, comforting treat that’s sure to become a favorite, especially when served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Ingredients:

For the Filling:

• 4 cups zucchini, peeled, seeded, and sliced thin (about 2-3 medium zucchinis)
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

For the Crumble Topping:

• 1 cup old-fashioned oats
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1/4 cup chopped nuts (optional, such as walnuts or pecans)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease an 8×8-inch baking dish or a similar-sized dish.
2. Prepare the Zucchini Filling: In a large mixing bowl, toss the sliced zucchini with the lemon juice. In a small bowl, mix together the granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and flour. Sprinkle this mixture over the zucchini and toss to coat evenly. Spread the zucchini mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish.
3. Make the Crumble Topping: In another bowl, combine the oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Pour the melted butter over the mixture and stir until everything is well combined and forms a crumbly texture. If using, stir in the chopped nuts.
4. Assemble the Crisp: Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the zucchini mixture.
5. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
6. Cool and Serve: Let the Zucchini Crisp cool slightly before serving. It’s delicious served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.

Zucchini Crisp is a deliciously surprising dessert that cleverly disguises zucchini as a sweet, spiced fruit-like filling, making it an ideal way to use up your garden’s zucchini bounty. The crisp, buttery topping pairs perfectly with the tender, flavorful zucchini, creating a treat that’s both unique and comforting.