1 zucchini = 3 recipes

Everyone loves summer, but for a while I used to dislike it greatly.  My pasty white skin would be forever sunburned.  As much as I tried to be tan like all the other girls, it was impossible.  Then there was the "b" word...bathing suit.  I dreaded summer when I was younger.  

Becoming a teacher totally changed this around for me, and given the fact that I've overcome all those silly insecurities that made me want to stay inside for three months.  Now summer is peace.  It is the time in my year that I get to breathe, relax, soak in all of God's beauty, get back to who I am as I sift through projects and just take some time for myself.  

One of the best things about summer is the produce.  Zucchini has to be my favorite vegetable.  Growing up we had a garden and zucchini grew like crazy each and every year.  Even when my parents didn't plant it, it would still come back.  I have fond memories shredding the zucchini and making zucchini bread with it, then grilling another one for dinner.  I probably love it so much because it brings back the fond memories I hold of summer as a child.  

I recently adopted a nice, large zucchini and was able to make not one, not two, but three different recipes with it! 

First up was Zucchini Tots from Skinny Taste.  Ann brought these to our Palm Springs trip and I couldn't get over how delicious they were.  As soon as I got home I looked up the recipe and found out I had everything on hand!  So, I got busy in the kitchen...

Friends-these are super easy, and amazing warm from the oven.  On top of that, four only have 104 calories!  The Mr. loved these, and he is not a big zucchini fan like me.  I couldn't help but think these would be great for kids as well, and they travel perfectly so I plan on making some of these for our trip this week!

Zucchini Round Two.

Grilled zucchini is a summer must have.  And paired with barbecue salmon is divine!  I felt pretty proud of myself Sunday night as I heated up the grill all by myself, made a delicious sauce for the salmon, and neatly grilled dinner while the Mr. was at work.

It was my first ever time making this salmon recipe and let me tell you, it did not disappoint.  The flavor was impeccable, divine, outstanding.  My taste buds were dancing.  I then paired it with my cilantro-lime brown rice (super duper easy recipe I made up and will share next week).  

I might have saved the best for last...

Zucchini Round Three.  

Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread!

P.S: The following pictures are for your sheer humorous enjoyment.  (I had already been painting for hours and am insanely gross after all my cleaning.)  I just had to pose with the bread to show off my mouth watering creating.  

I seriously could not wait to get this in my belly.  I may have even told the bread "Get in my belly"!  

And there you have it!  So if you have a plentiful garden bursting with fresh zucchini or just love zucchini (or love trying really amazing recipes) try one of these recipes and let me know how they turn out!