Chef John's Zucchini Bread

We're making cake out of zucchini and calling it bread. This is an extremely beautiful and delicious loaf; not to mention super fast and easy to make. In fact, in the business, this is what is referred to as a quick bread.

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 50 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 5 mins
• Calories: 298 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 ½ cups white sugar
• 1 cup chopped walnuts
• 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper
• 4 cups grated zucchini
• ¾ cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt
• 1 pinch freshly grated nutmeg

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Generously butter two loaf pans.

Step 2

Mix kosher salt into zucchini and let sit for 10 minutes. Transfer to a strainer and rinse very thoroughly under cold water to remove salt. Let drain for 15 to 20 minutes before using.

Step 3

Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cayenne, and nutmeg together in a mixing bowl. Reserve until needed.

Step 4

Combine eggs, sugar, and vanilla in another large mixing bowl, and whisk until mixture is smooth and turns a pale yellow, about 1 minute. Grab a handful of the drained zucchini with both hands and squeeze out any excess water before transferring into the egg-sugar mixture. Repeat until all the zucchini has been transferred in.

Step 5

Pour in melted butter and stir until combined. Stir walnuts into the batter, followed by the flour mixture. Use a spatula to mix until the flour disappears.

Step 6

Transfer into the prepared loaf pans. Tap pans on the countertop to settle the batter.

Step 7

Bake in the center of the preheated oven until golden brown on top and a skewer poked in the center comes out clean, about 50 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes in the pan, and then turn out on to a cooling rack. Let cool completely before serving.