Zucchini Pie, Not from Memory
This Zucchini Pie recipe has been a great standby for me since the mid-80s. I had a couple of zucchini in the refrigerator that needed to be used up, so I went looking for the recipe!
Recipe
3 Cups zucchini sliced very thin
1/2 Cup onion sliced very thin
1 Cup Bisquick
1/3 Cup Parmesan Cheese
4 Eggs, beaten
1/2 Cup Oil
Salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste
Directions
Mix all together (ingredients are listed above in the same order I add them into the bowl).
Put into a 9 or 10-inch greased pie pan.
Bake at 325° for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.
Real-life notes and inspiration:
Zucchini Pie can be topped with any or all of the following before baking: sliced tomatoes, cheddar cheese, or extra parmesan cheese for an extra burst of flavor.
Use butter for the oil to make this dish extra amazing! But you can use any oil. I’ve even utilized “used” oil and it still tastes great! Gotta do what ya gotta do. 😋
The measurements are negotiable. I often put 4 cups of zucchini and a whole cup of onion (usually that’s one whole smallish to medium onion). Because there are more “wet” ingredients this way, it takes longer to cook but it is still delicious.
For a more cake-like texture, slice as fine as you can possibly get it. For a more quiche-like texture, slice moderately.
This dish goes quickly! It’s a favorite at potlucks. Double the recipe to make two pies.
Repetition ≠ Memorization?
It feels like I have made this recipe 100 times, at least. So when I couldn’t find it, I thought – surely, I have this memorized by now. Uh, nope. This just tells me that repetition does not always equal memorization. I went to a K-12 Christian Academy, growing up. We had to memorize 10 scripture verses a month. They were usually consecutive, but not always. I started attending in first grade, so that’s 10 verses, Sept through May, for 12 years. I don’t think we had a requirement for June.
Nine months = 90 verses. Multiply that by 12 years and that’s 1,080 verses. Plus whatever single verses we memorized in Sunday School. If you think that’s a lot, it’s not. There are 31,102 verses in the Bible as we know it today, combining both the Old and New Testaments. Some of those passages I barely squeaked out to pass the memorization “exam,” so I don’t know how well they stuck. But enough of them did.
The funny thing is, today I can look up the same scripture multiple times on a Bible app or website, and still not know it from memory or remember where it is. I also can’t ramble off all those 1,080 verses at once or necessarily recall them all at will. But when I need the Word, those memorized verses come popping into my soul. They seemingly come from nowhere, but it is the Holy Spirit bringing recall to help me when I need it most. Memorization has to be intentional. Almost always. This is true of Scripture, chord progressions, lines for a play, or any other thing that you want to be such a part of you that recall feels almost like instinct.
“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.“
Psalm 119:11, KJV
I’ll have to be honest, I’ve been slacking on the memorization of the Word. I realized that just like many things today, there are so many options to choose from that I don’t even know where to begin! I have opted to go back to what I grew up on, the King James Version, for memorization. I know it and it comforts me. If I want a different perspective or clarity, I can look up any other translation. But if I want to get it burned into my heart, it’s the KJV for me! Find what works for you, and go for it.
The Kingdom of Heaven is Like . . .
I’ve been making Zucchini Pie for how long? It’s 2023~ how can I not know this recipe by now? One thing I do remember is that the version I make is to be cooked at 325° and not 350°. Kind of low and slow. This and the experience of “losing” the recipe reminds me of some scriptures on the Kingdom of Heaven.
There are different types of analogies on what the Kingdom of Heaven is like – a mustard seed, yeast, that’s the low and slow version. But it’s definitely easy to miss or can be hidden unless you search it out.
Methodically going through every recipe notebook and recipe box reminded me of that search for the Kingdom of Heaven. Because this analogy is that the Kingdom of Heaven is something of great value. A treasure, or fine pearls. One who sees the value is methodical and will do whatever it takes, even sacrificing all of their own net worth to obtain it.
And finally, the analogy of the Father who desires that none be left out of the Kingdom of Heaven. I was actually so excited that I shared my news with my family’s Facebook group! Haha. I’m sure they had no idea why I was so excited. But there are parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost (prodigal) son. We can never really, fully, comprehend the joy that God experiences when he is reconciled to his children.
The Kingdom of Heaven is infinite – this is by no means an exhaustive list! We who are running after the Kingdom of Heaven can rejoice that our Heavenly Father is joyful over us. Let us soberly review our level of surrender to his callings, whether in the big things or in the moment-by-moment leadings. We can be sure he will work out his will in us, at a pace that is just right for each one. But let’s not lag behind where he wants us!
Side Dishes
Zucchini Pie is basically one big vegetable recipe. But that doesn’t mean it can’t go with other veggies! Fresh sliced tomatoes go great on the side.
Salad is a good option, and any cooked green vegetable will also work: broccoli, green beans, spinach. It’s really up to you.
This dish also makes a great snack all by itself! It’s inclusive of “bread (Bisquick)” and protein (eggs).
I would love to hear from you! Let me know if you tried it out, how you liked it, and if you made any variations.
Happy cooking!
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