DaytonDailyNews.com

No, I did not plant zucchini this year — nor do I have relatives, neighbors, friends or co-workers who did. I've managed, nonetheless, to obtain a refrigerator shelf full of the things in the last few weeks.

Never one to waste free, homegrown food, I've been experimenting in the kitchen. Here are my two favorite zucchini recipes:

Zucchini Bread with Pineapple

3 eggs

1 cup safflower oil

2 cups Splenda (sugar can be substituted)

2 teaspoons vanilla

2 cups finely chopped zucchini (unpeeled)

1 8-ounce can crushed pineapple, drained

3 cups whole wheat flour

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

3/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1 cup pecan pieces

1 6-ounce package of Sun-Maid Baking Raisins

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a bowl, beat eggs; add oil, Splenda and vanilla and mix well. Stir in the zucchini and pineapple.

In a separate bowl, mix flour, baking soda, salt, baking powder, cinnamon and nutmeg. Mix into zucchini-pineapple mixture. Stir in the pecans and raisins.

Pour the batter into two greased 5-inch by 9-inch inch loaf pans. Bake for 1 hour or until a wooden pick inserted in to the center comes out clean. Cool in pans for 10 minutes. Turn out onto wire racks to cool thoroughly.

Time-saving tip: Instead of chopping the pecans, put them in a zip-locked plastic bag and tap them with a hammer.

Makes 2 loaves. Can be frozen.

Adapted from Simply Recipes (www.elise.com/recipes).

Turkey Meatloaf

1 package extra-lean ground turkey

1 egg

1/4 cup bread crumbs

1/3 cup milk

1/2 cup finely chopped onion

1 cup finely chopped zucchini (unpeeled)

Salt and pepper to taste

1/2 teaspoon sage

Glaze

1/4 cup barbecue sauce

2 tablespoons spicy mustard

Combine bread crumbs and milk in a bowl. Add turkey, egg, onion, zucchini and seasonings. Mix well and put in a small greased meatloaf pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes. Combine glaze ingredients and spoon over loaf. Bake for 20 minutes more.

Makes 4 to 6 servings.

Somewhat adapted from a cooks.com recipe for Glazed Turkey Meatloaf.