These brownies are so rich and moist - no one will ever realize the key ingredient is zucchini. These have no added oil, and they are paleo-friendly!
Cooking this past week was like an episode of Iron Chef or Chopped in my kitchen because I got my first CSA box!!! A CSA, or community supported agriculture, is a way for local farms to deliver seasonal produce to right your house. Usually I would go to farmer’s markets on the weekends, but there isn’t one close to my apartment which is open on the weekends, so I signed up for my first CSA box. Cost me $40 for a TON of amazing, seasonal produce (and pasture raised eggs) to be delivered right to my house! They choose which produce goes in the box..hence an episode that should have been on the Food Network occurred in the DCC kitchen.
I wasn’t sure if I would use up all of the produce, but I ended up using it all over the weekend. It was awesome because they (Greenhearts Family Farms if you’re local to the bay area) stocked me with exactly the kind of stuff I was looking for - lots of different greens, broccoli, carrots, celery, cabbage, blueberries, eggs, etc. And three gigantic zucchini. Everything else I knew I was going to use up, but the three monster zucchini? I used one in a pasta dish that I can’t wait to share with you all, but the two other zucchini were morphed into something awesome. These Extra Fudgy Paleo Zucchini Brownies.
Zucchinis have a TON of moisture. If you’ve ever tried slicing zucchini and salting it to dry them out a bit, those things turn into faucets. Once time I tried to make zucchini fritters and I was wringing water out of zucchini shreds for a solid thirty minutes. Given their high level of water and their very mild flavor, they make amazing replacements in baking to add texture, fudginess, bulk, and - oh, yeah - a vegetable boost!
The majority of the ingredients in these brownies are - you guessed it- zucchini. I shredded it and pureed it in the food processor to get a smooth, non stringy texture. Then you add a little almond meal, and egg, lots of unsweetened cocoa powder, a little maple syrup and lots of chocolate chips.
These sneaky zucchini brownies are insanely crowd-pleasing, and even Nate (who has once characterized my healthy baking as “rough” before) said “you did good, D”. Those are the kind of approvals I go for all of the time in my kitchen. I hope my trials and tribulations only bring success to yours!
- 2 medium sized zucchinis, pureed
- 3 heaping tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 egg
- ½ cup almond meal
- 3 tbsp maple syrup
- ⅔ cup chocolate chips (use Enjoy Life for paleo)
- 1 tsp baking soda
- Preheat to 375 degrees F
- Use a food processor to puree your zucchini
- In a mixing bowl, mix the rest of the ingredients in with the zucchini
- In a square baking pan (greased) pour in your batter
- Bake for 45 minutes, or until a toothpick/knife comes out clean
- Allow to cool completely before cutting and removing from the pan
- Store in the fridge
If you like this, you’ll love: Flourless Triple Chocolate Nutella Cookie Sandwiches
Thanks for stopping by! 
Ohh how cool! I’ve never heard of a CSA box but it definitely sounds like a convenient way to get local, fresh produce!
Erin @ The Almond Eater recently posted…Mango Coconut Bites
It totally is! The fact that it was delivered right to your door is like online shopping 🙂
Pinning FOR SURE. These sound amazing and I LOVE that they are grain-free!
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl recently posted…Three Cooks One Kitchen: Veggie Frittata
I had a feeling you would like them!!
I love that these have double the fudge, and since there is zucchini, I plan to have a double serving 🙂
Erin@WellPlated recently posted…Slow Cooker Pork Stir Fry with Peanut Noodles
Right?! Totally a responsible way to think about it 😉
This, I have got to try! Honestly, you had me at “extra fudgy”. And not to mention, these are paleo diet friendly. That means they’re health, right? Right?!
Well, no matter what, I’d go back for 3rds or maybe 8ths 😀
blogger would appreciate that! 🙂
I recently made a cooking and baking blog, too.
http://kcolescreativecorner.com
I would greatly appreciate it if you would check it out!
Thanks so much!
Kennedy Cole@KCole’s Creative Corner recently posted…Savory Sauces
Because they are paleo, they have no processed sugars, grains, or dairy. That definitely makes them a healthier treat. Welcome to the blogging world!
I’m jealous of your CSA box, that sounds fantastic! And I’m a paleo gal, so I can’t wait to try these this weekend. My daughter loves baking brownies, it’s a perfect way to spend a Sunday morning. Thanks for sharing!
Bre recently posted…five things
Let me know how they turn out! Sounds like my kind of mother-daughter activity.
These look decadent! I am not paleo, but I still think I would give this one a shot. 🙂
Julia @ Lord Still Loves Me recently posted…Five Things Friday: June 12, 2015
Please do! I’m not paleo either, but I do enjoy a healthier treat 🙂
Hi Dani! I’ve never gotten a CSA delivery but would love the challenge of using it all up! I hate to waste food. And these brownies look delish. I know what you mean about zucchini, because I’ve even added it to oats for ZOATS before. Good stuff! 🙂 Have a lovely weekend!
Ashley @ A Lady Goes West recently posted…Friday Favorites: Events, surprises and a puppy
Ha - zoats! I’ll have to try that one. Maybe a new take on carrot cake oatmeal…zucchini bread oatmeal?!
WOW, I don’t even eat paleo but these look so good! I love that you can feel good about eating them 🙂 And I love that Nate even approved of them! My fam is skeptical of my healthy baking sometimes, too, haha!
Liv @ Healthy Liv recently posted…Healthy Double Chocolate Zucchini Muffins
These were an “accidental” paleo creation. Love playing around in the kitchen (especially when it works out!)
Hey Dani - Gorgeous Fudgy Zucchini Brownies. I just happen to have two prolific zucchini plants in my garden…My kids will be thrilled to hear about this new recipe. I think they’re a tad nervous they’re gonna be eating steamed zucchini all summer. Giggle. Love your beautiful blog!
Steamed zucchini isn’t so bad, especially when it’s fresh from the garden! Those squashes grow like crazy in the summer..
Yum, these look so fudgy! I haven’t tried zucchini in brownies before but it’s on my to-do list now.
They are a must! Makes it so moist and rich - don’t even taste the veggies.
I am totally making these tomorrow!
Let me know how they turn out! 🙂