Cherchies Blog

Zucchini Chocolate Chip Bread Recipe

breakfast, snacks, gluten freeSheri SpalloneComment

Zucchini Chocolate Chip Bread Recipe

Cook Time:  40-55 minutes

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

Servings: 12

One of my favorite things about summer and early fall is the abundance of fresh vegetables—and zucchini is always at the top of my list. It’s easy to grow in the garden, adds excellent moisture to baked goods, and can be used in both savory dishes (like zucchini fritters or zucchini pie) and sweet treats (hello, zucchini bread!).

Print Recipe

Vegetables weren’t always a hit in our household. When our children were younger, I became an expert at hiding veggies in their favorite meals—pureed, finely chopped, or disguised as “herbs” whenever little green or red specks raised suspicion. (Let’s be honest: the youngest child and my husband were the harshest critics.)

Fast forward to today, and while our children have happily embraced vegetables, my husband is still a little funny about anything “green.” I tell him, ‘Honey, they’re herbs; try it.’ Thankfully, zucchini bread has been the great equalizer. When zucchini is combined with sugar, flour, Cherchies Apple Butter Spread, and warm spices, those ‘green specks’ transform into something truly delightful.

This recipe has become a family favorite, and I usually double it—because a single loaf disappears in no time with a family of five.

Whether you’re baking for picky eaters, seasoned veggie lovers, or someone still on the fence about “green specks” in their food, this zucchini bread is proof that with a bit of creativity—and a lot of flavor—it can win anyone over.

Thanks for stopping by:) Comment below if you have tried this recipe. Come back again for more family-tested recipes, entertaining ideas, and cooking tips using all our favorite Cherchies® gourmet products.

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Ingredients

  • 1 cup grated zucchini (about one medium zucchini)

  • 2 large eggs, room temperature

  • 1/2 cup Cherchies® Apple Butter Spread (could substitute vegetable or canola oil)

  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar

  • 1/4 cup packed brown sugar

  • 1 teaspoon (tsp.) pure vanilla extract

  • 1/2 teaspoon (tsp.) salt

  • 1/2 teaspoon (tsp.) baking soda

  • 1/2 teaspoon (tsp.) baking powder

  • 1/2 teaspoon (tsp) lemon zest (could substitute dried lemon zest)

  • 1 tablespoon (tsp) ground cinnamon

  • 1 1/2 cups gluten-free all-purpose flour with xanthan gum (I’ve tried various Gluten-Free flours, but Pillsbury’s blend is my favorite, with the Cup for Cup brand being a close second; if your flour already includes xanthan gum, omit it). We have also made this recipe with equal amounts of all-purpose flour. (**I’ve learned it is best to use the spoon and level method).

  • 1 cup of chocolate chips (or walnuts or raisins for something different).

Preparation

Preheat your oven to 350°F.

Lightly coat a 4x8-inch loaf pan with gluten-free cooking spray.

Grate one medium zucchini to make 1 cup—no peeling or squeezing needed. (I like to use the grater attachment on my food processor, but a hand grater works just as well).

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, apple butter, sugar, and vanilla.

In a separate medium bowl, combine the salt, baking soda, baking powder, lemon zest (if using), cinnamon, flour, and chocolate chips, stirring until the mixture is well combined.

Gently fold in the shredded zucchini, and pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan.

Bake on the center rack for 40–55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean. (Every oven is different.)

Allow the bread to cool fully before cutting into it.

**Note: For best results, measure flour using the “spoon and level” method. Gently spoon the flour into your measuring cup, then level it off with the back of a knife. Avoid scooping directly from the bag or container, as this can result in using too much flour and negatively impact your recipe. Also, do not pack the flour down or tap the measuring cup.

Recipe adapted from- Mama knows gluten-free

Enjoy!

Yum

30 Easy Game Day Recipes Everyone Will Love

recipe round up, appetizers, entrees, partiesSheri SpalloneComment

Football season is here, and tailgating is in full swing! And for all the baseball fans, the excitement continues with playoff season—if your team is in contention, it’s the perfect time to cheer them on.

To make your game day entertaining a breeze, we’ve gathered 30 of our favorite recipes—quick, easy, and guaranteed crowd-pleasers!

Thanks for stopping by! 😊 Have you tried any of these recipes yet? Please drop a comment below and let us know your favorites.

Come back often for more family-tested recipes, entertaining ideas, and cooking tips using all our favorite Cherchies® gourmet products.

Follow us on social media: FacebookInstagram, and Pinterest.

"Munchdown" on these:

Dip away with these tasty dips!

Hearty Game Day Food

Cheese Please!

Charcuterie- Charcuterie or grazing boards are very popular right now. Pair Cherchies® Mustards, Pepper Jams, and Butter Spreads with your favorite cheeses and meats for the perfect complement to your charcuterie platter.

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Easy Homemade Lemon Dill Pickles Recipe

side dishes, snacksSheri SpalloneComment

Easy Homemade Lemon Dill Pickles Recipe

One of the joys of summer is the abundance of vegetables—whether from your own garden, a farmers' market, or a CSA share —each week brings a bounty of farm-fresh produce. While cucumbers are the classic choice for pickling, they’re just the beginning.

There’s nothing quite like the satisfying crunch of a fresh homemade pickle. Whether you enjoy them on burgers, sandwiches, charcuterie boards, or straight from the jar, pickles are the ultimate snack that never goes out of style.

With Cherchies® Lem ’n Dill Seasoning, making your own pickles at home has never been easier—or more flavorful.

Why Lem ’n Dill?

Cherchies® Lem ’n Dill Seasoning Blend is a classic blend of zesty lemon, aromatic dill, and savory seasonings that add brightness and depth to any dish. It’s a natural pairing for cucumbers, enhancing their crisp freshness with just the right balance of tang and herbaceous flavor. The result? Pickles that taste like summer in a jar.

But why stop there? With Cherchies® Lem ’n Dill Seasoning, you can transform a whole plethora of CSA veggies into crisp, tangy pickled treats that will brighten any meal. More on that below.

A Jar Full of Flavor

Making your own pickles is a fun, easy way to enjoy the flavors of Cherchies® Lem ’n Dill Seasoning all year long. With just a few simple ingredients, you’ll have a crunchy, tangy treat that everyone will love.

So grab a jar, some fresh cucumbers, and a shaker of Cherchies® Lem ’n Dill Seasoning—and get ready to pucker up with pickle perfection!

Thanks for stopping by:) Comment below if you have made this recipe. Come back again for more family-tested recipes, entertaining ideas, and cooking tips using all our favorite Cherchies® gourmet products.

Follow us on social media: Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.

Ingredients

  • 6 cucumbers (Kirby-type), sliced into spears or discs (Seedless English cucumbers typically do not work well with this recipe)

  • 1 ½ cups white vinegar

  • 6 cups of water

  • 16 garlic cloves (sliced or chopped)

  • ¼ cup Cherchies® Lem ’n Dill Seasoning

  • ¼ cup salt (about two tablespoons if halving)

  • Fresh dill sprigs

Preparation

In a large pot, bring vinegar and 6 cups of water to a boil. Remove from heat, cool slightly, and stir in the salt.

Slice or chop garlic and roughly chop dill. Set aside.

Wash cucumbers and slice into wedge spears, coin-like discs, or even sandwich slicers.

To a quart-size jar or deep container with a lid, add a layer of fresh dill to the bottom. (We often use cleaned take-out containers or mason jars with lids.) If you’re making a lot, a Rubbermaid-type container would also work.

Add garlic slices, then a spoonful of Cherchies® Lem ’n Dill Seasoning. Repeat layers of cucumbers, garlic, dill, and Cherchies® Lem ‘N Dill until the container is filled.

Pour the cooled brine over the vegetables, ensuring everything is submerged.

Seal with a lid and refrigerate. Pickles will be ready in 24 hours, but the flavor intensifies over several days. Pickles can be refrigerated for a few weeks.

*Note- We have made these tasty pickles several times and experimented with different shapes. For the sandwich stacker size (pictured on the right), we placed the sliced cucumbers standing up.

Here you have it, homemade lemon dill pickles! Enjoy!

Ways to Enjoy Your Homemade Pickles

  • On a burger: Add a zesty crunch to your favorite backyard classic.

  • As a snack: Pair with cheese and crackers for a quick, flavorful bite.

  • Chopped into salads: Add brightness and acidity to potato salad, chicken salad, or grain bowls.

  • Charcuterie boards: Impress your guests with fresh, homemade pickles alongside meats and cheeses.

Vegetables You Can Pickle

  • Cucumbers (classic spears or discs)

  • Carrots (cut into sticks or coins)

  • Green beans

  • Cauliflower florets

  • Radishes

  • Zucchini or summer squash

  • Bell peppers

  • Onions

Mix and match your favorites!

Here’s what some of our friends have to say about Cherchies® Lem ‘N Dill Seasoning. Wait until they hear about pickles!!

“Our family favorite. Used this for over 15 years on chicken, fish, veggies, eggs etc. Perfect balance of flavors! Enhances everything that we use it with. Love it!”- Ann

“Always a hit! One of my favorite dips and something I keep on hand!"- Unknown

“Been using this product since the late 1980's. Thanks for such a great product."- Kathy M.

“It is so versatile. I sprinkle it on cooked vegetables and most salads. I use the dip recipe for raw veggies. I make a cream cheese and mayonnaise mixture using lots if Lem’n Dill for a smoked salmon spread. It is wonderful added to sour cream for baked potatoes. I have been a fan for 40+ years!️"- Maryjane

Yum

Easy Pickled Jalapenos Recipe

side dishes, cooking tipsSheri SpalloneComment

Easy Pickled Jalapeño Recipe

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

Makes one jar

Hello friends. If you want to kick up your culinary repertoire and love spicy foods, tangy pickled jalapeños will elevate your cooking to a new level.  Even if you are not a spicy food lover, pickling jalapeños makes the peppers sweeter and milder than fresh jalapeños. They are easy to make and add incredible flavor to Mexican dishes, cheese balls, dips, sandwiches, soups, and much more.  More on that later.  And you'll wonder why you never made them sooner because you will always want them in your refrigerator.  

Have I convinced you yet?

Print Recipe

Here's my testimony. I have belonged to a CSA farm share for two summers, and jalapeños are part of the "pick-your-own crop." I avoided them two Summers ago because even though I love foods with a kick, I'm a wimp when it comes to fresh jalapeños or spicy peppers.  

That all changed last summer.  I put on my big girl pants, expanded my palate, and tried pickled jalapeños at a restaurant.  The rest is history, as I was hooked!  I LOVED THEM so much that I needed to make them at home so they would always be available.  

Luckily, last summer's CSA share included a plethora of jalapeños, so I had plenty on hand to experiment with and different recipes to use them in. At the end of the growing season, I sliced and froze the extras so my family and I could enjoy them all winter. This recipe includes only a few ingredients and features Cherchies® Garlic Seasoning.

Consider pickling these little gems if you're looking for a new go-to condiment to up your cooking game and add incredible flavor to your dishes.  You won't be disappointed.  

Thanks for stopping by. :) Comment below if you have made these zippy, pickled jalapeños. Revisit us for more family-tested recipesentertaining ideas, and cooking tips using all our favorite Cherchies® gourmet products.

Follow us on social media: FacebookInstagram, and Pinterest.

Ingredients

  • 6-8 jalapeños, thinly sliced

  • 1 clove of garlic, skins removed

  • 1 cup white vinegar

  • 1 cup water

  • 3 Tablespoons (Tbsp.) sugar

  • 1/2 teaspoon (tsp.) Cherchies® Garlic Seasoning

Preparation

I highly recommend using food-safe gloves to slice the jalapeños. The oil residue from these peppers stays on your hands, so be careful not to touch your eyes. Learn from my experience; it is not pleasant.

Wash and dry the jalapeños. Thinly slice the peppers and place them in a clean, sterilized jar with a lid, such as a Mason jar. (I have attached a link to the proper jar sterilizing techniques.) Add the garlic clove to the jar.

Now for the brine (salt water solution). In a small saucepan, simmer the vinegar, water, sugar, and Cherchies® Garlic Seasoning over low heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is dissolved, about 5 minutes. Pour the brine over the jalapeños. Let them cool to room temperature, then cover and chill them in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. They will keep in the fridge for two weeks.

That’s it. Super simple pickled jalapeños for whenever the craving hits.

*Note: The peppers will turn a lighter green once they connect with the brine.

How To Use Pickled Jalapeños:

  • Tacos, enchiladas, and pretty much any Mexican or Tex-Mex dish

  • Jalapeno popper dip or cheeseball

  • Sandwiches

  • Nacho cheese dip

  • Pimento Cheese

  • Combine with fruits for a delicious relish

  • Homemade Salsa, when combined with tomatoes, onions, cilantro

  • Egg dishes (omelets, avocado toast, casseroles (egg and chili casserole), deviled eggs

  • Beverages- lemonade, margaritas

  • Cream of jalapeno soup

  • Add to your favorite cornbread recipe for a little kick

  • So much more!

Enjoy!

Yum