Zucchini Croissant Puff

With all of the zucchini making its presence known in a BIG way in my garden, I have been trying to come up with creative ways to put it to good use.

So I decided to take a break from muffins and bread and all of the sweet baking and make a light dinner. Using the blueberry croissant puff recipe as a basis that I made last fall, I played with the ingredients and made a really delicious zucchini puff.

I had shredded zucchini left over from the chocolate zucchini breads, so this was perfect.  Once again I used the mouthwatering frozen (ready to bake) croissants from QVC. I always have at least one bag in my freezer for emergencies or cravings!!  They are a great basis for a casserole, sandwich - and especially handy as a breakfast on the run!

Zucchini Croissant Puff

3 large croissants (about 5 - 5 1/2 cups cubed)
2 c. shredded zucchini
1/4 c. dried minced onion (an afterthought!)
4 large eggs
2 c. milk
1 - 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese
1 pkg. Athenos crumbled feta cheese, tomato and basil variety
2 c. shredded mozzarella cheese
1 sprig fresh rosemary (4")
1 sprig fresh oregano (4 ")
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper

One of several relatively new flavored fetas - so good!

Fresh rosemary and oregano from my garden.

Preheat the oven to 350.

In a 13x9 " pan or 3 quart casserole, cover the bottom of the container with the cubed croissants.  Sprinkle the shredded zucchini over the top and then add the minced onion.  Sprinkle 1 cup of the shredded cheese over the top.

In a Vitamix (or use a mixing bowl and electric hand beater), combine the eggs, milk, cream cheese, feta cheese crumbles, rosemary and oregano leaves  (discard the stems), and salt and pepper.  Pulse off and on for about a minute until it is well mixed . (With the Vitamix there is no need to chop the herbs; the blender will do that job.  If using a mixer, chop the herbs before adding).

Pour the mixture over the zucchini and croissants and let sit for 20 minutes.  Add the remaining cup of shredded cheese over the top and then put into the preheated oven. Bake approximately 25-30 minutes or until the mixture is set in the center and golden brown.

This is great only as a light dinner - just add a tossed salad - or serve as an accompaniment to a simple chicken or fish entree.

Bite sized croissant pieces

Shredded zucchini makes up the next layer

The egg mixture and cheese make this oven ready

This is delicious for breakfast, lunch or dinner!  

And it can be the main feature or a hearty accompaniment.

So versatile!

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Zucchini Abounds - Lemon Zucchini Bread and Italian Crescent Pie!!

My garden is bursting forth with zucchini. I just pulled these two giants off the vine and more are coming (and the acorn squash is taking over my herb bed - wow!!)

These were large - like almost a ruler length large!!  WOW!

First on the list was Lemon Zucchini Bread from "Eat Cake for Dinner"! (love the title of that blog!)

I really didn't alter the recipe so you can click on her blog above to get it.  I DID peel the zucchini so it is really well hidden in the bread and it came out quite moist.

Fresh out of the oven~

Adorned with lemon glaze

SO moist and SO good.... you can see the texture of the zest and zucchini!

And with the peeled zucchini it is incognito!! LOL

The  Zucchini Pie is one that I have had for decades and I used a lot of fresh herbs in it tonight which I think made it the best ever. This has always been a family treat and company pleaser.

ITALIAN ZUCCHINI CRESCENT PIE

4 cups thinly slices, unpeeled zucchini
1 cup coarsely chopped onion
1/4 cup butter
2 eggs, well beaten
1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1-2 Tbsp. fresh oregano, chopped
1-2  Tbsp. fresh basil, chopped
1/8 cup fresh chives, chopped
1/2 tsp. ground pepper
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1-2 cups shredded mozzarella
8 oz. can crescent rolls
1 Tbsp. dijon mustard
parmesan cheese, optional

Heat oven to 375.  In a large skillet, cook zucchini and onion in butter till tender, about 10 minutes.  Stir in all of the fresh herbs and seasonings.

Zucchini sauteed with the FRESH herbs added - YUM!

 In a large bowl, mix the beaten eggs with 1 cup of the shredded cheese. Stir in vegetable mixture.

Take the crescent roll dough and separate it into 8 triangles.  Place them in an ungreased pie pan or quiche dish.

As you can see, you don't have to do this perfectly 

(not even sure what that would look like!!)

Press the dough evenly over the bottom and up the sides to form a crust. Spread the dijon mustard over the bottom of the crust.

It looks MUCH prettier when you pat it all down!

Pour the vegetable mixture evenly into the crust.  If desired, sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese and 1-2 Tbsps. parmesan cheese (if desired)  and bake for 18-20 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.

Headed for the oven with all of that cheesy goodness...

Cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Hot and beautifully golden

An easy way to eat those veggies, enrobed in cheese!

A closeup of all of that flavor - you just HAVE to try it!

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