It’s almost officially fall — which means it’s apple season here in West Michigan.
Apples have been my favorite fruit for as long as I can remember, so I’m always looking for new apple recipes to try. I’ve acquired plenty of yummy apple recipes over the years, but today, I’m actually sharing a recipe that tastes (and smells) exactly like a yummy apple crisp, but… there’s not a single apple in the entire dish!
Instead of apples, I use zucchini!
Yup, that’s right — zucchini crisp!
I fooled Dave, my parents, my aunt, my kids, and everyone else who has tried my zucchini crisp recipe. Plus, I used up a whole bunch of zucchinis from our garden!
What’s so amazing to me (besides the fact that the zucchini truly does taste like apples) is that the sliced zucchini actually LOOKS like sliced apples!
Even after I told people about the zucchini (usually about half way through their bowls) they just couldn’t believe me. Dave thought I was joking for several minutes before I finally convinced him by showing him a couple seeds that were left behind in one of the zucchini slices.
And speaking of seeds, as you’ll see in the baking instructions below, I peeled and seeded the zucchini before slicing it. I would definitely recommend doing this as the peeling and seeds will not improve the taste of this dish.
This dessert tastes fabulous warm out of the oven, or room temperature the next day. Just don’t forget to add a scoop or two of vanilla ice cream!
If you’re looking for a way to use up extra zucchini — or if you just want to fool your family and/or dinner guests, you should give this one a try!
Recipe for Apple-less Apple Crisp
Enough for a 9″ x 9″ or 2.5 quart dish
INGREDIENTS:
For the “Fruit” Filling:
- 6 c. zucchini (peeled, seeded, and sliced)
- 1/3 c. lemon juice
- 1/2 c. granulated sugar
- 1 T. Apple Pie spice (or a mixture of cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves)
For the Crisp Topping:
- 1 c. brown sugar
- 1 c. rolled oats
- 1 c. all-purpose flour
- 1/2 c. cold butter
DIRECTIONS:
- Preheat oven to 375*F
- Peel, quarter, seed, and slice 6 c. of zucchini into a medium-size bowl
- Add lemon juice, granulated sugar, and spices to the zucchinis and mix well
- Pour zucchini mixture into greased baking pan
- In the same bowl, mix brown sugar, oats, and flour
- Cut butter into smaller chunks and cut into flour mixture until crumbly (I use my hands)
- Cover the top of the zucchini with the flour topping
- Chill in refrigerator for 15 minutes (or as long as you’d like. This chills the butter again and makes the topping really crispy)
- Bake in preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until topping is very crisp
- Serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped topping
I should state the obvious — you can certainly substitute apples in place of the zucchini if you’d like (or do half and half). Just cut back on the lemon juice if you’re using all apples (maybe only 1 T. or so).
Another thing I really like about this recipe is that you can make it ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to bake it. It also tastes great over the next couple of days — and in my experience, the crisp topping stayed crispy for several days (even with a sealed lid on my dish)
It was so fun to try this recipe, and even more fun when I realized how great it tasted.
What is your most crazy dessert recipe?
Visit my virtual recipe box for more simple, delicious, family friendly recipes!
Tam Richards says
Just found this on Pinterest; my 26 year old son found out a few years ago that he has a bad allergic reaction to apples and pears. Odd though because he ate them a bunch growing up, and it was his favorite pie. I am going to try this for him the next time I bet to visit and see what happens.
Now I must go back and find your ugly garden that I see comments about.
Andrea says
oh wow — glad you found this recipe! It’s SOOOO amazingly delicious I promise he will NEVER know it’s zucchini!
Amber Woods says
This was so yummy! I made it for dessert after Sunday lunch when one of our pastors came for dinner. Everyone said it was wonderful. Thanks again for a great recipe.
Andrea says
yay — glad to hear you liked it!
Reba Anderson says
I made the Almost Apple Crisp to take to a card party. I did not have enough zucchini so I added a can of drained pineapple chunks. got rave reviews and I really think the pineapple added a lot to the flavor. .
Andrea says
wow, that sound delicious! Glad the pineapple worked well for you. Of course, you can also add apples if you run short on zucchini again 🙂
Aa. says
My family that lives near Black Sea cook a fish desert! Yes, that is true! So there truly is no limit when making deserts!
Helen says
I tried this recipe today with a giant peach & some frozen berries that had both been in the fridge for awhile. Only cooked it 25 min – it was Wonderul!!! Thank you, Andrea. Earlier in the day I used your “ugly garden” idea to give me the freedom to plant a tiny, sloppy fall garden with my 4-year old grandchild. Your website & your willingness to share ideas and perspectives are a true inspiration to others.
Andrea says
oh yum! peach + blueberries is such a great combo!
also, congrats on planting the garden. our garden is VERY ugly again this year 🙂
Michelle says
This is a wonderful recipe. I tried it for the first time at a family gathering and was surprised it was zucchini. I had forgotten all about it. I have two zucchini on my counter right now and maybe I’ll use them for this delicious dessert.
I found the following information on a website I visited because I, too, was wondering why my zucchini plants were not producing zucchini.
Pollination. Zucchini is a monoecious plant, meaning each plant has both male and female flowers. A female flower has a small swelling (the ovary) at the base of its short-stem. A male flower has a long, thin stem—and is usually larger than the female. Bees and insects must visit the male flower then the female flower for pollination.
I am guessing my yard (and the others who have made comments stating their plants aren’t producing zucchini) doesn’t have enough bees visiting to help with pollination. I am wondering how to attract bees to the yard.
There’s always next year.
Jenny C. says
Andrea, you never cease to amaze me! This looks delish 🙂 You’re so innovative!
Debbie says
Ooooh…..I have zucchini in my grocery list to make zoodles but I’ll have to get more so I can make this dessert! Yumm!
Chris says
I saw a pecan pie recipe without the pecans, but with oatmeal. Apparently, it was from back in the Depression. 🙂
Ann says
I only wish I could grow enough zucchini to be able to use some like this. I have a beautiful plant and it has produced exactly 1 zucchini. Usually I get a zucchini and then the plant dies. This year the plant lived and I had hope but it doesn’t produce. My summer squash is prolific but the zucchini is pathetic year after year! (At least we have an apple tree so I can make apple crisp!)
Evie says
Ann, your last sentence gave me my first laugh of the day! :-0
I have no idea why, but I can’t grow zucchini in my garden, either! Every year there’s a huge Zucchini Festival Saturday about 20 miles away celebrating the harvest, and my garden just laughs. I won’t even plant it anymore!
Andrea, about how many zucchinis (should I buy :-p) to make six cups?
Evie
Andrea says
Well Evie, it depends on the size. For this recipe, I just used the 1 large zucchini in the pictures and had plenty (even after I cut out the seeded parts).
If you are using small zucchini, you might need 3, but I’m not positive. Also, keep in mind that the amount of zucchini is NOT crucial to the recipe. If you have a little less than 6 cups, your dish will be “thinner”. If you have more than 6 cups, your dish will be “thicker”. It will still taste just fine 🙂