Labor Day is a day off for the working citizens of America. Stop working. I mean it. Cease. Stop it! Quit working right now! This is a fedreally mandated day off, for crying out loud! Plus, God wants you to enjoy time off, too.
Jesus, as quoted in Matthew 11.28-30 (Amplified):
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease, and relieve and refresh your souls.]
Take My yoke upon you and learn of me, for I am gentle (meek), and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest (relief, and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls.
For My yoke is wholesome (useful, good – not harsh, hard, sharp or pressing, but comfortable, gracious and pleasant), and My burden is light and easy to be borne.
I sent Stephanie home yesterday with an armload of zucchini and she was searching www.allrecipes.com for a fresh and creative way to serve it and happened across the article on how to properly celebrate this holiday. I am only printing portions of it here, but you may verify the whole thing by linking the title in the first paragraph.
By the way, my 3 favorite ways with zucchini are
Tossed in an extra-virgin olive oil, sprinkled with garlic powder, salt and pepper, maybe some Mrs Dash or crushed red pepper flakes and grilled just long enough for some beautiful black grill marks, as it caramelizes and gets sweet.
Same as above, except popped under the broiler until you see the carmelization begin.
Severed into 1/4″ succulent slices, dipped in Tempura batter (grab a box from the Asian food aisle for the simplest, crispest breading ever using very cold water) and fried in canola oil until light and crisp (not brown). Dip in Ranch dressing. This breading and frying technique works for mushrooms, cut up leftover chicken or pork, green tomatoes, corn on the cob. Mmmmm.
Dave, of course, still prefers his zuchini shredded beyond recognition and turned into sort of a “stuffing-type” casserole. Yes, he likes church-dinner food.
Sneak Some Zucchini Onto Your Neighbor’s Porch Night
By: Allrecipes Staff
Celebrate this fun holiday on August 8!
Established by Pennsylvanian Tom Roy, this day encourages sharing. “Due to the overzealous planting of zucchini, citizens are asked to drop off baskets of the squash on neighbors’ doorsteps.”
About the holiday
A few suggestions from Tom Roy’s “Top 20 List for successful sneaking of Zucchini or otherwise ridding yourself of unwanted surplus summer squash:”
(Note:Allrecipes does not endorse any of these activities.)
(ANOTHER NOTE: Nor does Jeanie)
Carefully place a dozen or more zucchini in a large, sturdy black plastic trash bag, then add a couple layers of unwanted clothing. Drive to nearest Goodwill or Salvation Army, hand over bag to nearest volunteer. Politely refuse any offered receipt. Leave quickly.
Look for out-of-the-way places which have signs posted, “Clean Fill Wanted.”
Under light of full moon, either stark naked or wearing full army camouflage, carrying a machete or any garden implement, run amuck in your zucchini patch, cutting and slashing. Be sure to thank Mother Nature for her bounty before and after this cathartic experience.
Gather all available plastic containers and freezer bags. Puree all zucchini, even if it takes all night. Package, freeze, and create an artistic, holiday label: “For Zucchini Nut Bread Recipe.” These gifts are now ready to be freely given, along with copies of recipe, to everyone on your Christmas list.
Do you have any ideas to add?…Jeanie
NOTE TO SELF: I am keeping mine: Zucchini summer pasta…zucchini brownies…stuffed zucchini…zucchini marmelade…zucchini parmesan…zucchini relish…stir-fried zucchini…Mexican zucchini soup…Crab-stuffed zucchini…chocolate chip zucchini muffins…need I say more?
