Zucchini Brownies

Yea, you read that title right. Amanda suggested that we use our abundance of zucchini to make brownies. And since (a) I will readily agree to almost anything if chocolate is involved and (b) we were having company over. I jumped on it. I used this recipe from All Recipes and made a few slight tweaks.

Makes: A 9" x 13" pan of brownies (ie: ridiculously lots)

Ingredients
For the Brownies:
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups white sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened natural cocoa powder
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 cups shredded zucchini
1/2 cup chocolate chips

For the frosting:
6 tablespoons unsweetened natural cocoa powder
1/4 cup butter
2 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions
PREHEAT oven to 350F
GREASE and FLOUR pan

MIX together oil, sugar and 2 tsp vanilla
ADD flour, 1/2 cup cocoa powder, baking soda and salt
STIR until well combined
FOLD in zucchini and chocolate chips

SPREAD into pan
BAKE for 25-30 minutes, until brownies spring back when gently touched

MELT butter
ADD cocoa powder
MIX until well blended
LET cool

WHISK together powdered sugar, milk, 1/2 tsp vanilla
ADD butter nad cocoa blend
WHISK until well combined and smooth

POUR frosting over cooled brownies and spread evenly

Enjoy!

My Thoughts
1. Make sure to use NATURAL cocoa in this recipe. Remember, this is not the same as "Dutch processed cocoa".

2. Flouring the pan will result in white powder on the sides of the edge brownies, if you would rather avoid that, just dust the grease/butter/PAM with cocoa powder instead.

3. You can add an egg or two if you prefer a more cake-like texture. Do that when you are blending the sugar, oil, and vanilla.

4. This recipe does not make anything that could even charitably be called a "batter". More like a crumbly mess. It's okay, just spread it into the pan and pat it down evenly. The moisture from the zucchini will release during cooking and make a wonderfully moist, dense brownie.

5. The frosting is a must because the tops of these brownies are a bit lumpy and weird looking. The frosting makes it smooth and picture perfect.

6. These are delicious. I brought these into work, said nary a word about the zucchini and *poof* they vanished and in their place were many compliments. People especially loved the frosting.

7. There is a funny mental block people have about putting vegetables in desserts. If someone offered me chocolate zucchini bread I would think "AWESOME!", but offer me brownies with zucchini in them and even though I know they taste amazing I think "Wha?" Try to get over the "Wha?". These are awesome.