Grow Your Own Magazine


Go Back   The Grapevine > In the Kitchen > Season to Taste
Season to Taste Recipes and Cooking advice for transforming your crop

Visit our sponsors for all your gardening and growing needs!

www.garden4less.co.uk www.garden4less.co.uk www.garden4less.co.uk www.garden4less.co.uk www.garden4less.co.uk www.garden4less.co.uk

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1 (permalink)  
Old 20-08-2008, 07:33 AM
HayleyB's Avatar
Tuber
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Near St Neots, Cambs/Beds border
Posts: 806
Default Courgettes again

Anybody else out there sick to death of courgettes?

My OH decided a week or so ago he doesn't like courgettes after having them in a venison stew. He insists he's tried to like them over those previous few days

So, I've been hiding them in things Chillis and shepherds pies mainly. But.......

Having made the biiiiiiiig mistake of not expecting seeds to grow I've got somewhere around 25 plants.

My freezer is stacked with courgette-included sauces, I've given loads away, Monday we had shepherds pie with courgettes, last night courgette fritters - OH liked them and I made a courgette and mint soup which will be part consumed by myself and daughter today with the rest going into the freezer. I might try to hide some in a curry tonight.

If I don't see another courgette again I'll die happy
__________________
Hayley B

OH is competing in the Macmillan 4x4 challenge (in aid of Macmillan Nurses) partnering Julia Bradbury (Watchdog presenter) in March 2009 http://www.justgiving.com/mac4x4juliabradbury
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
  #2 (permalink)  
Old 20-08-2008, 07:46 AM
Two_Sheds's Avatar
Mature Fruiter
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: S.Norfolk / N.Suffolk
Posts: 6,338
Default

they make very good compost
__________________
~ What do I think of Western civilisation? I think it would be a very good idea ~ Gandhi
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
  #3 (permalink)  
Old 20-08-2008, 07:54 AM
bubblewrap's Avatar
Early Fruiter
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Loughborough (Twinned with Legoland)
Posts: 2,650
Default

Just harvested my "big one" 18" long & nearly 4kgs
I just let it grow for fun!
__________________
I cook with wine, sometimes I even add it to the food.
W. C. Fields
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
  #4 (permalink)  
Old 20-08-2008, 08:14 AM
HayleyB's Avatar
Tuber
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Near St Neots, Cambs/Beds border
Posts: 806
Default

aaaaggghhh, I'd never hide that from the OH
__________________
Hayley B

OH is competing in the Macmillan 4x4 challenge (in aid of Macmillan Nurses) partnering Julia Bradbury (Watchdog presenter) in March 2009 http://www.justgiving.com/mac4x4juliabradbury
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
  #5 (permalink)  
Old 20-08-2008, 08:21 AM
piskieinboots's Avatar
Early Fruiter
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Oxfordshire
Posts: 3,146
Default

I really do love 'em - in many different ways, but the easiest that I like is to slice them lengthways using a potato peeler and (tiny bit of oil) fry them off for Sunday morning fry-up .....they look really pretty with bacon sitting jauntily on top and the egg yolk makes a lovely pattern on them
__________________
aka
Suzie
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
  #6 (permalink)  
Old 20-08-2008, 09:22 AM
Sprouter
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Co Durham
Posts: 121
Default

I had far too many courgettes last year from nine plants and there are six of us at home to eat them up I ended up taking out the plants because they got so big they were encroaching on others. We left a couple to grow into giant courgettes and my younger daughter took one to school for the harvest festival

Last year was my first year with the plot and I wanted to keep every plant I grew from seed but this year I've been more ruthless and have tried to grow the amount we will eat (even though this meant discarding lots of healthy seedlings). We've still had more veg than necessary though!
__________________
Julie
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
  #7 (permalink)  
Old 20-08-2008, 09:52 AM
Sue Sue is offline
Cropper
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Posts: 1,263
Default

Hi
Courgette cake uses up a lot, recipes don't suggest it but flavour cake batter with ginger, makes a very tasty cake - and Flummery's recipe for stuffed marrow is delicious (on another thread). It includes pasta and I upped the tomato puree in the recipe, used a very small shell pasta and did away with the marrow shells and made it as a pasta. Although it contains a whole marrow, you can't really taste it as such so would be good for reluctant marrow/courgette eaters.
Sue
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
  #8 (permalink)  
Old 20-08-2008, 09:57 AM
andi&di's Avatar
Early Fruiter
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: ipswich,suffolk
Posts: 2,212
Default

I sometimes put cinnamon or almond essence in my choc c cake.
My fave way with them has to be pickled~they'll see you thru to next year!I put the recipe on preserving~doesn't sound as fantastic as it tastes~give it a go!
__________________
the fates lead him who will;him who won't they drag.

Happiness is not having what you want,but wanting what you have.xx
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
  #9 (permalink)  
Old 20-08-2008, 10:13 AM
Capsid's Avatar
Tuber
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Midlands
Posts: 629
Default

Chutney uses a lot of courgettes.
__________________
Mark

Vegetable Kingdom blog

Last edited by Capsid; 20-08-2008 at 11:31 AM.
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
  #10 (permalink)  
Old 20-08-2008, 10:53 AM
Hans Mum's Avatar
Tuber
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Leeds
Posts: 996
Default

this cake is delicious & my lot had not idea what was in it

Chocolate Courgette Cake - Desserts - Recipes - Riverford Organic Vegetables
__________________
The love of gardening is a seed once sown never dies ...
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
  #11 (permalink)  
Old 20-08-2008, 11:15 AM
Tuber
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Suffolk
Posts: 614
Default

"I've got somewhere around 25 plants"

Gulp!

Could the local pub / restaurant use them?
__________________
-------------------------------------------
K's Garden blog last update 3rd August 2008
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
  #12 (permalink)  
Old 20-08-2008, 02:07 PM
HayleyB's Avatar
Tuber
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Near St Neots, Cambs/Beds border
Posts: 806
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kristen View Post
"I've got somewhere around 25 plants"

Gulp!

Could the local pub / restaurant use them?
ROFL
Been giving them away, thinking about setting up a stand outside T--s-o Have just frozen 3 batches of soup and daughter and I pulled faces at each other over lunch
__________________
Hayley B

OH is competing in the Macmillan 4x4 challenge (in aid of Macmillan Nurses) partnering Julia Bradbury (Watchdog presenter) in March 2009 http://www.justgiving.com/mac4x4juliabradbury
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
  #13 (permalink)  
Old 20-08-2008, 02:21 PM
Sprouter
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Southampton.Hampshire.
Posts: 218
Default

Bought one plant at a charity stall got nothing off it but a nice chap at my hubbies work has the same problem,a glut of them so we are only too pleased to help him out!
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
  #14 (permalink)  
Old 20-08-2008, 03:06 PM
mandi's Avatar
Germinator
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: kent
Posts: 23
Default

they are lovely in bread...helps disguise them too....
25 plants phew!!!!
why not take them to a local fruit n veg place to sell?
a roadside stall sounds like a good idea , i killed off my other seedlings so i wouldn't have many plants and let my remaining courgettes grow big as i like marrow chutney made with apple and sultanas mmm!
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
  #15 (permalink)  
Old 20-08-2008, 03:20 PM
T-lady's Avatar
Rooter
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Off the M180 (Thorne) in North Lincolnshire
Posts: 333
Default

Try marrow and ginger jam - I've posted the recipe on this Forum somewhere. Last night I made 6 jars of jam and it ate up 2.5 kg of courgettes. Lovely jam too - you'd never know it's marrow-based, it tastes a bit like gingery lemon marmalade. Lasts for years and makes a lovely christmas pressie.
__________________
Cheers

T-lady
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
  #16 (permalink)  
Old 20-08-2008, 03:25 PM
lynda66's Avatar
Early Fruiter
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: manchester ish
Posts: 4,240
Default

i'm gutted that only one of my courgette plants has actually made it through to adulthood, though it looks dead healthy, and has just started producing flower buds, i love courgettes, but son hates them, hopefully i might get a reasonable amount ..... have managed 4 squash plants and 2 pumpkin plants though
__________________
http://teachy.myminicity.com/env please visit my town and make it better

http://quiz.ravenblack.net/blood.pl?biter=teach_me please sign up to be a vampire, i get 10 pints of blood if you do, and it's fun as well ....... i have an interactive map if anyone wants it.
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
  #17 (permalink)  
Old 20-08-2008, 04:34 PM
HayleyB's Avatar
Tuber
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Near St Neots, Cambs/Beds border
Posts: 806
Default

I've been out and harvested some runners and another 8 courgettes, gave them to two colleagues. 2 are being hidden in a passanda with prawns, my spring onions and my new mushrooms tonight.

Guess what though, I "found" one that I'd "missed" gawd only knows how cause it's about a foot long. Yep Bubblewrap I left it there. Stuffed marrow here I come - stuff the OH too he can leave the outer for all I care I do love stuffed marrow
__________________
Hayley B

OH is competing in the Macmillan 4x4 challenge (in aid of Macmillan Nurses) partnering Julia Bradbury (Watchdog presenter) in March 2009 http://www.justgiving.com/mac4x4juliabradbury
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
  #18 (permalink)  
Old 20-08-2008, 04:54 PM
Matt.'s Avatar
Rooter
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Abingdon, Oxon
Posts: 376
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by bubblewrap View Post
Just harvested my "big one" 18" long & nearly 4kgs
I just let it grow for fun!
I agree with BW. Let a few plants grow really big ones just for fun! Friend had a few recently that were bigger than my arm (bicep AND forearm!) Probably no good for eating when you finally cut them so just compost.
__________________
http://plot62.blogspot.com/
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
  #19 (permalink)  
Old 20-08-2008, 04:59 PM
Matt.'s Avatar
Rooter
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Abingdon, Oxon
Posts: 376
Default

For cooking courgettes I make pasta sauces:

Two large courgettes diced to 1cm cubes.
Onion diced
Handful mushrooms diced
Creme fresh
grated cheese

Whack the veg in a wok with a bit of oil. Leave to cook stirring frequently for about 10 mins. The courgette really reduces down in size. Turn heat down low and stir in creme fresh and grated cheese. Add to pasta. Done.
__________________
http://plot62.blogspot.com/
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
  #20 (permalink)  
Old 20-08-2008, 06:52 PM
andi&di's Avatar
Early Fruiter
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: ipswich,suffolk
Posts: 2,212
Default

This morning I was going to NOT reccomend the choc cookies(on zuccinni agogo),but several hours later & the kids have nearly finished them!!So maybe it's just me!!If you like your biscuits to have a cake consistency then give them a go
__________________
the fates lead him who will;him who won't they drag.

Happiness is not having what you want,but wanting what you have.xx
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
  #21 (permalink)  
Old 20-08-2008, 07:11 PM
Geo's Avatar
Geo Geo is offline
Rooter
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Brum.....
Posts: 304
Default

Sainsbury's Courgettes, Organic....

Price

Wait for it.!!!!!











































£0.66/ea.

Geo..
__________________
>>>Click<<< >>>Click<<<
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
  #22 (permalink)  
Old 21-08-2008, 09:01 AM
Sue Sue is offline
Cropper
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Posts: 1,263
Default

Blimey, I've eaten £47 of courgettes so far.
After my other posts on the price of blackberries and I reckon I've eaten £54 of those, it does make you think about how, by growing your own, you must eat far more fruit and veg than you would if you were totally reliant on shop produce.
No way would I have eaten the amount of fruit and veg I do if I had to buy it, add on the £150 of strawberries and you've a small fortune just from three crops.
I know some people (most people!) wouldn't want to eat quite so many courgettes but I try to base all my cooking on what I've produced so it's courgettes at the moment, and it's great fun searching out new recipes and exploring different ways of cooking them.
Sue
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
  #23 (permalink)  
Old 21-08-2008, 03:48 PM
HayleyB's Avatar
Tuber
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Near St Neots, Cambs/Beds border
Posts: 806
Default

He ate them last night in the passanda, were are on a courgette free zone tonight but tomorrow......................
__________________
Hayley B

OH is competing in the Macmillan 4x4 challenge (in aid of Macmillan Nurses) partnering Julia Bradbury (Watchdog presenter) in March 2009 http://www.justgiving.com/mac4x4juliabradbury
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.us