Recipe of the Week: St. Patty's Day Cookies



You know what really grinds our gears? Lazy attempts to Irish-up food around St. Patrick's Day. What do we mean by that? Well, for example, putting green food coloring in things like beer (see above) and insisting there's something special about it. Not that we're averse to "going green" for the holiday, we just think if you're going to do it there ought to be some value added. To wit: this week's recipe! Not only are we working for our green, we're adding flavor and nutritional value - to cookies!

Now, before you cringe at the idea of a cookie made with zucchini consider this: on a recent episode of "Top Chef All-Stars" one of our favorite chefs, Richard, whipped up zucchini cookies for guest judges Cookie Monster, Elmo and Telly. Even Cookie Monster had to admit they were tasty and Elmo LOVED them - and when have Muppets ever steered us wrong?

St. Patty's Day Zucchini & Chocolate Chip Cookies

You need:

• 1/2 cup butter
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups grated zucchini
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 cup quick cooking oats
• 1 cup granola
• 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C)
2. In a medium bowl, cream butter and sugar until fluffy
3. Stir in the egg and vanilla, mix well, then stir in the shredded zucchini
4. Sift together the flower, baking soda and cinnamon then stir into the zucchini mixture
5. Stir in the oats, granola and chocolate chips
6. Drop dough from a teaspoon ont an unprepared cookie sheet
7. Leave at least 2 inches between cookies
8. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven
9. Cool and serve; makes 2 dozen cookies



Find more great fruit recipes on Ruma's web site!

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