When creating zucchini bread, several bakers worry if they should remove the zucchini skin. The zucchini adds moisture and flavor to the bread, but some people disagree about whether or not to peel it.
Some people believe that peeling the zucchini makes the bread smoother, while others think that keeping the peel on adds nutrition and a rustic feel. In this article, we will discuss whether or not you need to peel zucchini to make zucchini bread.
Do You Have To Peel Zucchini To Make Zucchini Bread?
When you make zucchini bread, people often wonder if they should take off the skin or not. Some recipes say to peel the zucchini, while others say to keep the skin on. So, do you have to peel zucchini to make zucchini bread?
The answer really depends on what you like and how you want the bread to feel. Taking off the skin can make the bread smoother, but keeping it on adds nutrients and a more rustic look. Both ways can make tasty zucchini bread, so you can try both and see which you like better.
How To Make Zucchini Bread?
Required Time
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 Big eggs
- 1/3 Cup coconut or canola oil
- 1 Teaspoon vanilla
- 1/2 Cup granulated sugar (white)
- 1/2 Cup dark or light brown sugar
- 1 1/4 Cups shredded zucchini, packed after squeezing out extra liquid
- 1 Cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 Cup of whole wheat flour
- 1 Teaspoon of baking powder
- 1/2 Teaspoon of baking soda
- 1/2 Teaspoon sea salt
- 1 1/2 Tablespoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 Cup chopped walnuts or pecans
- Add 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour to the recipe
Instructions
Coat the inside of a loaf pan with cooking spray. Place parchment paper along the bottom and sides. Preheat the oven to 350°, with the rack in the center.
Shred the zucchini and press out the water over the sink with your hands until there is no more excess water. If the zucchini is very wet, press it twice. Measure out 1 1/4 cups and keep it aside.
Put the eggs, oil, and vanilla in a bowl and mix them together well.
Put the sugars in and mix again until they are mixed together. Then add the zucchini and mix again.
Put the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nuts, or other mix-ins (if using) into the bowl.
If you’re not using nuts, add 2 tablespoons more all-purpose flour. Mix everything together with a big spatula, but only until all the ingredients are mixed in. Don’t mix too much!
Put the batter into the loaf pan. Put the pan in the middle of the oven. Cook for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few wet crumbs on it.
Take out of the oven and allow it to cool for 10 minutes in the pan. The loaf will keep cooking while it cools down. Separate the loaf’s edges from the pan gently with a butter knife.
Place on a wire rack. Allow to cool for 30-60 minutes.
Tips For Using Unpeeled Zucchini
If you choose to keep the skin on your zucchini while making zucchini bread, here are some easy suggestions to get the best outcome:
Wash Thoroughly: Before using the zucchini, make sure to wash it well with running water to get rid of any dirt or things that might be stuck on the skin.
Trim Ends: Cut off the bottom and top parts of the zucchini, as they can be hard and not as tasty.
Grate Carefully: Use a grater or food processor to shred the zucchini for the bread batter. Pay attention to any bigger pieces of skin and remove them if you want.
Adjust Texture: If you’re worried about how the zucchini peel feels in the bread, you can use a vegetable peeler to remove strips before grating. This will help you find a balance between keeping some peel for texture and getting rid of extra peel for a smoother consistency.
Pros and Cons of Peeling Zucchini Versus Leaving the Skin On for Zucchini Bread
Peeling Zucchini
Pros
Smoother Texture: Taking off the skin can make the zucchini bread smoother.
Milder Flavor: Removing the zucchini’s skin can eliminate any possible bitterness and make the taste more plain.
Uniform Appearance: After removing the skin, the zucchini bread might look more consistent and not have any green spots.
Cons
Loss of Nutrients: The outer part of zucchini has important nutrients and fiber, so removing it may cause a decrease in nutritional advantages.
Wasted Food: Cutting off the zucchini skin creates leftover food that is thrown away instead of being used in the recipe.
Extra Prep Time: Removing the skin from the zucchini adds another task to the cooking process, which takes time and energy.
Leaving The Skin On
Pros
Nutritional Benefits: The outer layer of zucchini has lots of good stuff like vitamins, minerals, and fiber, and these stay in the skin if you don’t peel it.
Enhanced Texture: Keeping the skin on adds some texture and makes the zucchini bread look more rustic.
Reduced Waste: Using the whole zucchini, including the skin, reduces waste and makes the most of the ingredients.
Cons
Texture Variation: Some people might not like the way zucchini skin feels in the bread because it can be a little tough or stringy.
Bitterness: The taste of the bread may be slightly bitter because of the zucchini’s skin, which can vary depending on the type and how fresh it is.
Uneven Appearance: You may see small bits of green from the zucchini skin in the bread, which can make it look less even.
In the end, whether you decide to remove the skin of zucchini for zucchini bread is up to you. You can choose to keep the peel for its nutrients or remove it for a smoother texture. Both peeled and unpeeled zucchini can make delicious zucchini bread. So, when you make zucchini bread next time, think about what you prefer and trust your taste buds to make it perfect.
Thanks for reading. I hope you find it interesting.
