Molasses, Ginger, and Zucchini

Once in a very great while, i make a substitution in a recipe and it works!  This is one.  Still working on those uses for zucchini. I simply substituted half the butter with shredded zucchini and no other changes.  If your zucchini is young, you may need to squeeze out a bit of the excess moisture or you'll need to add a bit more flour to stiffen the dough.

Gingersnap Cookies (Soft & Chewy)

Prep Time: 15 mins   Total Time 25 mins   Serves 24 INGREDIENTS:

• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 cup butter*
• 1 egg
• ¼ cup molasses
• 2 ½ cups flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground cloves
• ¼ cup sugar on a plate for later

DIRECTIONS:

In a large bowl, beat the sugar, butter, egg, and molasses for 1 to 2 minutes.  Add the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves and mix by hand.  Take one good size tablespoon of dough (or more for a larger cookie) and roll into a ball.  On a plate or shallow bowl, put the sugar, then roll each ball around in the sugar to coat.

 Bake at 350°F for 10-12 minutes on cookie sheet.  

Adjust time as needed. *during zucchini season, try substituting squeezed out shredded zucchini for half the butter.  It is excellent!