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Chef Linda
Linda Soper-Kolton, Chef, came to the Sanctuary as a guest chef to share her love of compassionate cooking in our then-fledgling culinary program. Lured by the magic of the Sanctuary, her love of animals and the urgency of our mission, Linda stayed on to lead and grow the culinary program, inspiring and educating with love, patience, and delicious food.
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Deep, Dark Zucchini Brownies

By Chef Linda

Allergen Notes: Contains gluten and ingredients that may contain soy (chocolate chips often contain soy lecithin, an emulsifier)
Special Equipment: Food processor recommended

These luscious brownies are dark, rich, and oh-so-chocolatey and prove, once again, that baking without eggs and dairy is delicious and easy. And by incorporating fresh, seasonal vegetables, like zucchini, this recipe is not only scrumptious but nourishing, too. Instead of using refined fats, like vegan butter or oil, I used avocado to create the lusciousness that we expect and want in a brownie: another approach that can add a nourishing element to something we love. One could hardly feel guilty about having two!

Ingredients

 ½ cup avocado
 ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
 1 cup coconut sugar (or substitute brown sugar)
 ¼ cup maple syrup
 1 tbsp vanilla extract
 2 cups whole wheat flour
 ¾ cup cocoa powder (or substitute cacao powder)
 1 ½ tsp baking soda
 1 tsp salt
 1 cup shredded zucchini (don't squeeze out water)
 1 cup vegan chocolate chips

Directions

1

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 9-inch square baking pan with parchment so that the ends hang over by about 2 inches on opposite sides. (If you want thinner brownies, use a 9-inch by 13-inch dish.)

Place the avocado, applesauce, coconut sugar, syrup, and vanilla in the bowl of a food processor and blend until smooth. In a large bowl, mix together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Stir in the zucchini and fluff and separate with your fingers so it doesn't clump together. Add the chocolate chips and do the same things. Pour the avocado mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients and mix gently until everything is just barely combined: overmixing will yield a tough brownie.

Scrape the batter into the prepared baking pan and smooth out the top. Transfer to the oven and bake for about 25 minutes, until the edges are just barely pulling away from the pan and the center is set, but still a bit soft. The brownies will firm up as they cool: they should be slightly undercooked.

Remove from the oven and allow to cool for at least 15 minutes. Cut into squares and serve warm or chill and serve later.

Deep, Dark Zucchini Brownies
IngredientsDirections

Deep, Dark Zucchini Brownies

DifficultyEasyCook Time25 mins
YIELDS
16 to 24 brownies, depending on size of the pan

Deep, Dark Zucchini Brownies
INGREDIENTS

 ½ cup avocado
 ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
 1 cup coconut sugar (or substitute brown sugar)
 ¼ cup maple syrup
 1 tbsp vanilla extract
 2 cups whole wheat flour
 ¾ cup cocoa powder (or substitute cacao powder)
 1 ½ tsp baking soda
 1 tsp salt
 1 cup shredded zucchini (don't squeeze out water)
 1 cup vegan chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS

1

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 9-inch square baking pan with parchment so that the ends hang over by about 2 inches on opposite sides. (If you want thinner brownies, use a 9-inch by 13-inch dish.)

Place the avocado, applesauce, coconut sugar, syrup, and vanilla in the bowl of a food processor and blend until smooth. In a large bowl, mix together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Stir in the zucchini and fluff and separate with your fingers so it doesn't clump together. Add the chocolate chips and do the same things. Pour the avocado mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients and mix gently until everything is just barely combined: overmixing will yield a tough brownie.

Scrape the batter into the prepared baking pan and smooth out the top. Transfer to the oven and bake for about 25 minutes, until the edges are just barely pulling away from the pan and the center is set, but still a bit soft. The brownies will firm up as they cool: they should be slightly undercooked.

Remove from the oven and allow to cool for at least 15 minutes. Cut into squares and serve warm or chill and serve later.

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