Here is the recipe I use from Joy of Baking. Please note, if it cools to long, it becomes rubbery, so I only let it cool so it's not hot. So, I whip the cream, refrigerate it, and then make the stabilizer. Otherwise it cools too long and becomes rubbery, and you have to heat it and cool it all over again. I have never had a bad texture from it. Sherry STABILIZED WHIPPED CREAM ICING 1 tsp. unflavored gelatin 4 tsp. cold water 1 c. heavy whipping cream (at least 24 hours old and very cold) 1/4 c. confectioners' sugar 1/2 tsp. clear vanilla extract Combine gelatin and cold water in small saucepan. Let stand until thick. Place over low heat, stirring constantly just until gelatin dissolves. Remove from heat and cool slightly. Whip cream, sugar and vanilla until slightly thickened. While beating slowly, gradually add gelatin to whipped cream mixture. Whip at high speed until stiff. Yield: 2 cups Cakes iced with whipped cream must be kept refrigerated. (This is the commercial recipe used by bakeries).

I like home made, but I also don't object to real whipped cream (not artifical) in a can. It's convenient and stores well, and can be used quickly in small doses. I keep a can around during hot chocolate season and a backup (hidden downstairs) all through the holiday season. If it's out where the kids can see it, they're prone to take a squirt directly as a snack. :-p The most abuse I've seen is that they put the can back as close to empty as it can be without ACTUALLY being empty, so that the next time I need it I get a splutter instead of a squirt. I'm not sure if they're trying not to be wasteful or just in denial that yes, they really *did* just eat a whole can of whipped cream. :-p (OK, yes, I do know...) Cj

When you mix meringues with whipped cream they will turn into blobs of tough goo. Hope the rest of the cake turned out well.

I've also made zucchini brownies and I have a recipe for zucchini bread with pineapple that I like a lot. Amanda likes me to add coconut to that one. I use the big zucchini, don't peel, do remove the seeds. I squeeze out the liquid, but the big ones often aren't that juicy. I've also been known to grate zucchini and just freeze it in a ziplock bag to use later, although I have some in the garage that are at least four days old and they are still fine, not refrigerated. My favorite use for zucchini, though, is Sol's zucchini pancakes, they're savory instead of sweet and good with a lot of things: Zucchini Pancakes ================== Sol's recipe 2 cups grated zucchini 3 eggs, lightly beaten 3 tablespoons melted butter (more for greasing the pan) 3/4 cup AP flour 1-1/2 tablespoons water 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese Black Pepper and Salt to taste * 1/2 teaspoon grated nutmeg Serve with: 6-1/2 ounces double cream brie Roasted tomatoes 2 tablespoons chopped chives Preheat a frying pan over medium heat. Combine all pancake ingredients in a bowl, except for the water. Mix until smooth, then add enough water to make a thin batter (you shouldn't need more than 1 to 1 1/2 tablespoons). Mix until just combined. For 6-inch pancakes, add about 1/3 cup of batter to greased pan and cook 1-2 minutes per side. Serve with double cream brie (or your favorite melting cheese), roasted tomatoes and chives. *Add all the black pepper you like, but use a light hand with the salt, as parmesan provides some saltiness. I normally add 1/8 teaspoon salt, and find it's plenty. Enjoy. Pineapple Zucchini Bread 1 cup packed brown sugar 1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened 1 cup shredded zucchini (1 small) 1 can (8 oz) crushed pineapple in juice, undrained, reserving 1 tablespoon liquid 2 eggs, slightly beaten 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans Glaze: 1/2 cup powdered sugar reserved 1 tbls pineapple liquid 1 tsp corn syrup 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon Heat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour bottom only of 9x5-inch loaf pan. In large bowl with electric mixer, beat brown sugar and butter on medium speed until light and fluffy. With spoon, stir in zucchini, pineapple and eggs. Stir in flour, baking soda, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, the salt and allspice until well blended. Fold in walnuts. Spread evenly in pan. Bake 60 to 70 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pan to cooling rack. Cool 30 minutes. In small bowl, mix all glaze ingredients until smooth; spoon over warm loaf. Cool completely, about 1 hour. Store in refrigerator. Zucchini Brownies from King Arthur Flour Brownies 8 ounces zucchini (about one 8" fresh zucchini, trimmed), cut into chunks. If you don't have a scale, 8 ounces is about 1 1/2 cups shredded zucchini, lightly tamped down. 3 tablespoons butter, melted 3 large eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla 3/4 cup sugar 2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, Dutch processed preferred 1/2 teaspoon espresso powder, optional; for enhanced chocolate flavor 1/2 teaspoon baking powder heaping 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup all purpose or White Whole Wheat Flour 3/4 cup semisweet or bittersweet chocolate chips Frosting 3/4 cup semisweet or bittersweet chocolate chips 1/4 cup heavy cream or 3 tablespoons milk Directions Preheat your oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9" square pan. To make the brownies: Combine the zucchini, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla in the work bowl of a food processor, and process until smooth. Add the sugar, cocoa powder, espresso powder, baking powder, salt, and flour; process briefly, just until well combined. Add the chips, and pulse several times, to break up the chips just a bit. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake the brownies for 25 to 30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, or with a few moist crumbs clinging to it; you shouldn't see any sign of wet batter. Remove the brownies from the oven, and allow them to cool completely before frosting. To make the frosting: Combine the chocolate chips and milk or cream in a microwave-safe bowl or small saucepan. Heat until the milk is steaming, and the chips are soft. Remove from the heat, and stir until smooth. Spread the frosting atop the brownies. Place them in the refrigerator for an hour or so, to set; then store them at room temperature, covered, for several days. Yield: 16 brownies. Tips from our bakers If you don't have a food processor, use a blender to blend the zucchini, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla until smooth; then transfer the mixture to a mixing bowl before proceeding with the recipe There are lots of goodies to be made with zucchini, I'll have to try Martha's lemon version, I love lemon. Enjoy your zucchini. Annie