Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Zucchini Marmalade

Hello Everyone!

As some of you may know, I enjoy gardening and I "share" the blessings of the garden with others. Two years ago, I had a bumper crop of squash - zucchini, yellow and the patty-pan (a scalloped, white squash, which is my favorite.) I had plenty for sale at our local farmer's market.

One Saturday, at the market, I struck up a conversation with one of my customers about the prolific production of my squash plants and how I might use the ones that did not sell. "I can't eat that much zucchini bread," I told her! We discussed my dilemma and she had an answer for me. "I have a recipe for Zucchini Marmalade," she said, "I'll give it to you!" "Great," I said, "I've never heard of it!" She finished her shopping and left the market.

A few minutes later, she reappeared with a recipe card for Zucchini Marmalade. She had driven home, found the recipe (she must be extremely organized, I would have taken days to find where I put it) and returned to the market to give it to me! It is amazing how zucchini can bring people together! She is now a good friend!

As a result of the prolific production of my zucchini plants, another friend of mine came over and helped me make the marmalade for the shut-ins of our church and community! It's like Jesus feeding the five thousand! Baskets full of leftover zucchini! I planted and He gave the increase!

I want to share the recipe with all of you. Enjoy! It's delicious!

Zucchini Marmalade
6 cups peeled and shredded zucchini
1/2 cup lemon juice
1 cup crushed pineapple, drained
1 pkg. Sure-Jell
6 cups sugar
6 oz. orange Jell-o
Cook zucchini for one hour on low heat
Add lemon juice, pineapple, Sure-Jell and stir well.
Add sugar and cook six minutes, then stir in Jell-o while hot.
Pour into jars which have been sterilized, then seal.

Be Encouraged!
Plant Lady

2 comments:

Shirley Mary said...

What a neat story!
I just printed off the recipe for the Zucchini Maralade. I haven't made any kind of jelly or jam in a LONG time but this looks very appealing to me.. . I'll let you know if I get it made. :)

mary

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for visiting my blog site. I had earlier discovered the Stat Counter and had just put it on and you were my first post. I enjoyed your article and really enjoy reading your comments on the Bible Study. What part of NC are you living?

This study and getting the blog started has really been an eye opener for me. Up until about a year ago I was doing a card ministry through my church (for about 6 or 7 years). In 1999 I had a fifth surgery on my neck with a rod and had to quit work.

I never felt there was anything I could do for God. I always walked in my husband's shadow. He sang with a gospel quartet out of Rock Hill, SC for 4 years and we traveled about every week-end. I thoroughly enjoyed it and always took my two girls with us.

It was after the surgery in 1999 that I felt impressed to start a card ministry. We had a new senior pastor and someone told me to talk with him because he really liked sending cards. I told the Lord if He would open the door I would walk through. That is exactly what happend. I was trying to get an appointment with him and was told it would be 2 wks. He walked out of his office and spoke to his secretary and he waved at me. I said I really need to talk with you and he said "come on in." Well he immediately had a plan. He gave me some cards but when I got the first list from the church I realized this was bigger than I expected. I also needed to pray for these people. The cards he gave did not work so I got a software inspirational greeting card program and did my own cards. Let me clarify that, I am not a writer, but when I saw a picture on the internet or got something really good from one of my email friends I copied it. When I would sit down to start a new card God always gave me exactly what I needed. Sometimes I would wake up in the mornings with a song on my mine and I knew I was to use that on a card. I did cards for hospital, sympathy, 1st,2nd,3rd time visitors. Also a friend got real sick and I thought this person needs a card every month. That list really grew. Sometimes I had 60 or more cards a week. When that pastor left the number went down, I did not have to do the visitors anymore but the new Hospital pastor ask for a Valentine card to be sent to the Shut-ins. Well they became another group that got cards every month. It was awesome.

Last May I had to have back surgery and as I was recovering the passion I once had for the cards left me. I felt there was something else God wanted me to do but did not know what until now. I'm still not sure how I will use it, but God opened the 1st door and I'm waiting for Him to open the 2nd door.

During both surgeries God spared my life. I reacted to Demoral and went out like a light (I was told) but God is just not ready for me yet. I give Him all the glory and praise for everything He has done. This surgery is taking longer to get over but the drs. said it would. I've done much better than I did after the 1999 surgery. Wow, I didn't mean to write so much. I'm by myself most of the time (my husband is semi-retired and isn't always at home) so I guess I have to get my words in for the day. What it all boils down to is that God has been my rock and my salvation through a lot. To Him be all the praise and glory.

Hope I didn't tire you out. Look forward to hearing from you again.
AliceE.