This dense, nutty zucchini bread gets its rich, moist texture from einkorn flour, zucchini and butter. Choosing an all-purpose version of einkorn flour will produce a slightly lighter consistency while the whole wheat or self-ground einkorn adds a nuttier bite.
2 cupsgrated, packed zucchini (about 10 ounces from small zucchinis)
1 cup (235ml)unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
1 tablespoonvanilla extract
Zest of 1 lemon
3 cups (390g)einkorn flour, spooned into measuring cup and leveled-off
1 tablespoonground cinnamon
½ teaspoonground or freshly grated nutmeg
1 teaspoonbaking soda
½ teaspoonbaking powder
1 teaspoonsalt
1 cup (110g)chopped pecans, lightly toasted if desired
1 cupraisins rehydrated in 1 cup of orange juice or Grand Marnier liqueur (optional)
Instructions
Preheat oven to 325°F and set rack in middle position. Generously grease 2 (8- by 4-inch) loaf pans and line with parchment paper.Rehydrate the raisins: In a medium saucepan, combine raisins and orange juice or liqueur, bring to a boil and immediately remove from heat. Let cool and soak for at least 10 minutes.In a large bowl, mix eggs with sugar until combined. Add grated zucchini, melted butter, vanilla extract and grated lemon zest and stir to combine.In another large bowl, sift flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, baking powder and salt together. Use a whisk to mix well.Add dry ingredients to egg mixture and mix until just combined. Add nuts and raisins, then divide batter into prepared pans. Bake for 60–70 minutes, or until tester comes out clean. Set pans on wire rack and let cool about 10 minutes, then turn loaves out onto rack to cool completely.Freshly grate nutmeg from whole nutmeg with a microplane grater to obtain a spicier flavor. Microplanes work well for grating lemons too. Lemon zest gives morning breads an additional perfumed flavor.