BASIC ZUCCHINI CANDY FRUIT 10 cups peeled diced zucchini 1/2 inch cubes 3 cups water 2 pkgs. unsweetened Koolaid 2 1/2 cups sugar Peel zucchini,cut in half, removing seeds. Dice in cubes. Mix the liquid syrup together. Add zucchini. Bring to a boil and them simmer for 25 min. Drain. Put on dehydrator trays. Dry 14 hours at 125 degrees. Turn pieces over and dry another 4 hours. This will feel dry and not sticky when done. Store in jars or other tightly sealed containers.If you dip in sugar when you turn them, they will be more like "gum drops" on the outside. PINEAPPLE CANDY FRUIT You can do the same thing with the zucchini but use : 48 oz. pineapple juice 2 T. pineapple extract 2 1/2 cups sugar 1/4 cup lemon juice BLUEBERRY CANDY FRUIT 10 cups peeled, cut zucchini, about 1/2 inch cubes 1 -16 oz. can wild blueberries ( mashed and strained through cheese cloth) 1 qt. fresh blueberries ( mashed and strained through cheese cloth) 1 cup water 2 cups sugar 1/2 cup lemon juice ( optional) Follow the directions for basic recipe. HINTS: When turning your zucchini, dip in sugar to coat them, making them more like "gumdrops". MAKE FRUIT LEATHER : Drain and mash or blend fruit and spread on drying sheets and dry them.

I was surprised by the small yield a batch gave. The zucchini sure gets a lot smaller! Of course I did eat a few (many) when I was checking on them and turning them :) I did not get all the seeds removed on a few strips and they were very flimsy after cooking and were not even put onto the drying trays (ate them, too) Guess there are some reasons for my low yield in addition to the tremendous reduction in size from drying. I doubt anyone who eats the finished product would guess they are made from zucchini. I added a quarter teaspoon of citric acid to the sugar used near the end of the drying time. It made them a lot like the sour gummy treats you can buy. I'm sure these treats are not very nutritious, but it is fun to see how much the zucchini can be transformed with a few readily available ingredients.

Thanks for the great recipes! We planted heirloom zucchini seeds this year and they are coming in strong. We will have tons in no time. I so glad to be able to add some recipes to bag of tricks. I have a great recipe for zucchini bread. I have tried many zucchini bread recipes in the past and this is the very best bread! It is very moist. I'm sure you will love it! Zucchini Bread 1 c zucchini 3/4 c nuts (optional) 1 c any dried fruit (optional) 1 1/4 c flour 3/4 c sugar 1 tsp baking powder 1 tsp salt 1/2 tsp baking soda 1/2 tsp cinnamon 1/2 tsp nutmeg 2 eggs 1/2 c melted butter 1/2 c vanilla yogurt 1 tsp vanilla 1 tsp citrus zest Pre heat oven to 350â¢. Grate zucchini, dry and set aside in small bowl. Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, baking soda, cinnamon and nutmeg in large bowl and set aside. In medium bowl whisk eggs, melted butter, yogurt, vanilla and zest. Fold into bowl of dry ingredients. Mix well. Add zucchini, nuts and dried fruit. Place in prepared 9X5 pan. This recipe can be easily double. Enjoy! ~Tina~

I don't think I've been to a fair like that since I lived in Texas, but it does bring back fond memories, and I'm glad to see people still enjoying it. Congratulations on the ribbons! I'll bet Bud is especially happy with his. How do you use the leeks, once they are dried? I've only used them in potato soup.