Recipe: Oat and zucchini pantry cookies

When I asked my lovely website readers for some of their favourite recipes to include in the book, this was at the top of the list! So when you have zucchini coming out your ears in deep summer, make these – you won’t be sorry.

These cookies utilise pantry staples such as rolled oats, coconut and seeds. And they're super adaptable: any flour can be used; if you don’t have pumpkin seeds, use sunflower seeds; coconut could be swapped for ground almonds; sultanas replaced with chopped chocolate. One tip: pay special attention to squeezing out the excess zucchini liquid thoroughly before adding to the mix.

Serves 16

INGREDIENTS

⅓ cup (about 70 g) grated zucchini (see notes in recipe)
pinch of salt
80 g butter, softened
1 tbsp olive oil
⅓ cup (65 g) sugar
1 small free-range egg
½ cup (75 g) plain white or wholemeal flour – wheat, spelt or gluten-free
½ cup (50 g) small rolled oats
½ cup (40 g) desiccated coconut or ground almonds
¼ cup (40 g) pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds
⅓ cup (50 g) sultanas or raisins
1 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp baking powder 

1.  Preheat the oven to 180°C (fan 160°C). Line a cookie tray with baking paper.

2.  First, grate the zucchini, aiming for shorter pieces by holding the zucchini horizontal rather than on an angle. Place the grated zucchini into a square of cheese cloth or a clean cloth napkin. 3. Add a pinch of salt to help draw out the moisture, then twist and squeeze firmly to press out the excess liquid. Repeat until no more drips come out of the cloth. Set aside.

3.  Place the butter, olive oil, sugar and egg in a bowl and use a fork to combine – it is fine if it is lumpy. Mix through the zucchini, then add the remaining ingredients and use the fork to bring together into a stiff dough.

4.  Roll the cookie dough into walnut-sized balls – if the dough is soft, place it in the fridge for 20–30 minutes to firm up first. Arrange the balls on the cookie tray with 2–3cm space between each, and gently press to flatten a little.

5.  Bake for 15 minutes, until the cookies are golden and firm to touch. Transfer to a cooling rack. Store in an airtight container in the pantry and consume within 5 days.

VARIATIONS
Double Choc Cookies
Use chopped chocolate in place of the sultanas and replace 3 tbsp of the flour with cocoa powder.

Recipes extracted from The Homemade Table: Seasonal Recipes, Preserves and Sourdough by Nicola Galloway, published by Potton & Burton, RRP: $59.99.