As we’ve mentioned, our dad was a true farmer at heart, and possessed quite a gift for gardening.  By mid-summer, we picked zucchini by the dozens. We couldn’t possibly eat it as fast as it grew and there were six of us.

It seems that the little row of plants he started in the spring had multiplied, and if you dared walk away for a day, even the tiniest zucchini became huge as if by magic! 

In self-defense, we became very creative.  There were zucchini pancakes, casseroles, muffins and cakes.  We gave zucchini gift baskets to everyone we knew, even total strangers, and still, they kept coming.  We put them in our neighbors' mailboxes, and began making new friends (only with those people who didn’t have gardens, of course.)

This recipe came about one morning, after waking from yet another crazy dream about giant zucchini monsters surrounding our house. 

Serve this delicious bite at your next party. Be careful, they’re habit-forming! Check out the video and we’ll show you how we do it. Happy eating!

RECIPE: Patty’s Zucchini Patties

Ingredients:
2 cups grated zucchini
2 beaten eggs
½ cup chopped onion
½ cup flour
½ cup grated parmesan
2 grated garlic cloves
½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
2 tbsp. fresh parsley
¼ cup chopped red bell pepper
½ tsp. salt, or to taste
½ tsp. freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
2 tbsp. vegetable or olive oil

Directions:
Lightly salt grated zucchini and let sit in a colander for 10 minutes.

Squeeze to remove excess moisture. In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients, except oil, and mix well.

Heat oil in a skillet over medium high heat. Drop heaping tablespoons of mixture into oil. Cook a few minutes on each side, until golden. Place on paper towels and sprinkle with parmesan cheese while hot.

Serve with tomato sauce on the side.

CALORIES: Zucchini 25; 2 beaten Eggs 160, Onion 38, Flour 228, Parmesan 132, Garlic 8, Mozzarella Cheese 185, Parsley 5, Red Bell Pepper 15, Spices 0, Oil 240

TOTAL Calories 1036

Makes about 20 patties = 56 calories each!