I love me some Costco.
Sometimes people are surprised I shop there considering I live by myself. But you don’t have to be a big family to make a Costco membership worthwhile.
Among the things I often buy there: organic olive oil, organic chicken, frozen shrimp, prosciutto, canned tuna, sun dried tomatoes, San Marzano canned tomatoes, castelvetrano olives, chicken stock, gluten free pasta, almonds, toilet paper, laundry detergent, Advil, Zyrtec, gas… I could literally could go on and on.
So I’m super excited today to not only offer up a great recipe that uses a lot of my favorite Costco ingredients, but also a giveaway for people in the New England area as we get ready to celebrate the opening of the New Britain Costco!
I recently had a chance to sample some new Costco products, and now I can add Namaste gluten free flour, organic dried cherries and organic coconut oil to my Costco favorites list! I decided to make some gluten free zucchini muffins for the occasion, and this flour is awesome because you just substitute for normal flour in any recipe cup for cup. I know zucchini is generally a summer item, but I was delighted to find plenty of it at my local farmer’s market last Thursday so I considered it a sign. I also substituted coconut oil for butter in a recipe I adapted from Simply Recipes.
As many of you know, I do not consider myself a baker (too much math and science and precise measuring), so I get a little nervous when I whip up a baked item. But I made a double batch and used my co-workers as guinea pigs, and I received a resounding stamp of approval. (Unless everyone is lying to me). Not sure if this made a difference, but I used a food processor to grate the zucchini instead of a box grater, and they turned out super light and fluffy!
With the zucchini and gluten free flour and coconut oil and dried cherries… these are actually pretty healthy. BUUUUUUUTTTTT… if you would like to make them a little decadent, then throw in a few chocolate chips and you’ve got sure-fire crowd pleaser.
Now for the giveaway!!
To win this, you need to be able to pick up by the end of the week at the new Costco opening this week in New Britain, CT.
It’s valued at $100, and here are the fabulous items available in it:
-Balsamic Vinegar
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- 3 cups grated fresh zucchini (about 1-2 medium to large zucchinis, I use a food processor)
- 2/3 cup melted melted coconut oil
- 1 cup cane sugar
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 2 teaspoons aluminum free (gluten free) baking soda
- 1-2 pinches pink Himalayan sea salt
- 3 cups Namaste gluten free flour
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon (freshly grated is best!)
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg (freshly grated is best!)
- 1 cup dried cherries
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional)
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl combine the sugar, eggs, and vanilla. (You don’t need a mixer for this recipe). Stir in the grated zucchini and then the melted coconut oil. In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, baking soda, nutmeg, cinnamon, and salt. Stir these dry ingredients into the zucchini mixture. Fold in dried cherries, and chocolate chips if using.
- Coat each muffin cup in your muffin pan with nonstick spray. Use a spoon to distribute the muffin dough equally among the cups, filling the cups up completely. Bake on the middle rack until muffins are golden brown, and the top of the muffins bounce back when you press on them, about 25 to 30 minutes. Test with a long toothpick or a thin bamboo skewer to make sure the center of the muffins are done. Set on wire rack to cool for 5 minutes. Remove muffins from the tin let cool another 20 minutes.
Unknown
October 12, 2015 at 7:44 pmGreat recipes, great column!
David Bentley
October 12, 2015 at 8:36 pmMy favorite items are the peanut butter, the coffee, or the popcorn!! (I could choose a few more) Too bad I live in SC and wouldn't be able to claim the prize. I did want to leave a comment and let you know how good the muffins sound and look! And if you want, you can email me back! coachbentleyhargrave@gmail.com You are a star!
CakePants
October 13, 2015 at 2:27 amI love shopping at Costco, even though there are only two in our household (I wish I were eligible for the giveaway, but alas…too far away!)! The dried cherries are one of our favorites. These muffins look fantastic – cherries and zucchini are such a unique combination!
jaymeesire
October 13, 2015 at 11:14 amThanks for stopping by! Definitely unique, but somehow it works! 🙂 Glad to meet a fellow Costco lover.
Tom McKean
October 13, 2015 at 2:41 pmGot to go chocolate covered raisins at Costco
Clementina Verge
October 13, 2015 at 10:18 pmYou had me at zucchini…and then you threw in chocolate. I'm sold!
Mark Eiseman
October 14, 2015 at 12:40 amI have no idea Himalayan Pink Salt is, but I want to.
Joe Kosa
October 14, 2015 at 9:39 amWow! I have a lot! Balsamic vinegar, bacon, pretzels, salsa, crushed red pepper, olives, and popcorn. I also share Mark's curiosity about Himalayan Pink Salt.
Clutch
October 14, 2015 at 5:44 pmJaymee…you are a star in your field! In addition to Pampers, I love to buy salmon in bulk at Costco. Keep up the great recipes on jello shots!
stephanie
October 18, 2015 at 9:21 pmI like to buy pistachios at Costco
plasterer bristol
February 19, 2016 at 7:20 amThis sounds lovely. Going to give this a go. thanks for sharing this recipe.
Simon
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June 2, 2017 at 12:54 pmWow. The sweet that you have shared here, looks much delicious and yummy to eat.