What to with Sunburst Squash. Make bread.

 I had a bounty of sunburst squash from only one plant. Finding this little unique plant at a nursery last spring, I thought I would try it.  I really did not like it cooked, there wasn't much flavor. But it was good cut in chunks and eaten raw with other veggies, but I had way too many for just that. These are supposed to be picked when they are 3" an under. I had so many that grew double that size and I was faced with a huge bounty that I had no clue what to do with them. I had to find some recipes to deal with it.

I found several recipes that were really good, but this one was an instant hit. My hubby did not even realize this was "squash bread" until he saw me making a second batch. My little granddaughters actually get excited to have a piece of it for an afternoon treat. I have yet to have a loaf make it to the freezer which what my plan was to begin with. I was able to freeze five 3 cup bags of shredded squash, so this will be yummy for holiday bread too. 

Sunburst Pina Colada Bread

I had a bounty of sunburst squash from only one plant, so I adapted this from a recipe in an old cookbook, Makes a yummy moist tropical treat. My granddaughters love it! Zucchini can be substituted. 

Debbi Oeltjen Sublimity, Oregon

4 cups all-purpose flour

3 cups sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 ½ teaspoons salt

4 eggs

½ cup olive oil

¾ cup plain greek yogurt (or 6 oz. Cup)

1 teaspoon coconut extract

1 teaspoon rum extract

1 teaspoon vanilla

3 cups shredded sunburst squash  (heaping or packed tightly)

1 cup ( 8 oz can) crushed pineapple with juice

½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans

Line the bottoms of three greased and floured 8”x4” loaf pans with waxed paper and grease the paper. (don't skip the wax paper—I did the first time and the loaves were almost impossible to remove from the pans)

In a large bowl combine flour, sugar, baking power, baking soda and salt.

In another bowl, combine eggs, oil, yogurt, and extracts. Stir in dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in shredded squash, pineapple, and nuts.

Transfer to prepared pans. Bake at 350f for 50-55 minutes or until toothpick come clean in the middle of the loaf. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans. Gently remove waxed paper.

Can be frozen, wrap tightly in wax paper then seal with foil or freezer paper.