Sourdough Zucchini Walnut Bread

Sourdough discard is used in this recipe for a classic zucchini bread with a sourdough twist. It's flavorful and perfect for using summer garden zucchini.

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Summer squash season is in full swing now and that means many people have a lot of zucchini to use. Zucchini bread is always a favorite way to enjoy that bountiful summer squash. 

The smell of zucchini bread in the oven is a summer memory that I have from being a kid. My mom used to bake quite a few loaves and then freeze several of them for eating all winter long. 

Even people who say that they don't like zucchini or summer squashes generally seem to enjoy a slice of zucchini bread!  

We all love zucchini bread and my garden has been giving us a fair amount of zucchini lately. Since I've been using my sourdough starter so much more over the past year, I wanted to use up some of my discard. 

I've ended up with a lot of extra starter lately. Since I don't bake a lot in the summer as compared to the cooler months, I end up making a levain and having extra jars of starter around when I don't ues the whole thing in my recipe. Recently, I had three jars in my fridge with some amount of cold starter in them. 

This loaf of zucchini bread is lightly spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. I like this spice flavor combination with the brown sugar and walnuts in this quick bread. If you prefer, you can use all cinnamon instead. 

Zucchini itself doesn't have a ton of flavor, so it's a nice canvass for spices, etc. The sourdough discard also provides a bit of tangy flavor and can prevent this loaf from becoming overly sweet. 

This loaf uses walnuts, but you can leave them out if you prefer. You can use pecans instead or even some semisweet chocolate chips to change things up.

Zucchini bread is always welcome at our house. We like it with our breakfast along with some scrambled eggs and fruit. Or, we enjoy it as a mid-morning or afternoon snack with a cup of hot tea. It makes a lovely dessert as well.

If you are a sourdough baker and a zucchini grower, this is a recipe for you to try! It's a perfect way to enjoy some of both this summer. 

Are you looking for more ways to enjoy zucchini this summer? 

Check out all the zucchini recipes on the blog and this post for 45+ Zucchini Recipes for Zucchini Season. 

Yield: 1 loaf

Author: Amy B (Savory Moments)

Sourdough Zucchini Walnut Bread

Sourdough discard is used in this recipe for a classic zucchini bread with a sourdough twist. It's flavorful and perfect for using summer garden zucchini.

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup white whole wheat flour (or another cup of all-purpose)
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 cup sourdough starter discard
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup neutral oil of your choice
• 1 cup light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1-1/2 cups grated zucchini (unpeeled and grated on the large side of a cheese/box grater, about 1 medium zucchini)
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Instructions

1. Lightly grease a 9" x 5" loaf pan. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flours, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the sourdough discard, eggs, oil, brown sugar, and vanilla.
4. Stir the wet ingredients into the dry until just combined using a rubber spatula. Fold in the grated zucchini and walnuts.
5. Pour the batter into a loaf pan and spread it evenly.
6. Bake for 55-65 minutes, until the bread is golden and an inserted toothpick comes out cleanly.
7. Let the bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes and then transfer the loaf to a wire rack to continue cooling.
8. Slice to serve.  
9. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

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I hope you give this sourdough zucchini walnut bread a try! Let me know in the comments below. 

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Check out these other quick bread recipes: 

Lemon Zucchini Bread

Sourdough Maple Pecan Bread 

Sourdough Banana Bread

Yellow Squash & Apple Bread 

Also check out this post for 10 Yellow Summer Squash Recipe Ideas for even more summer squash recipe inspiration.