Zucchini can be sneaky

"Any time is zucchini time," says the booklet of 460 zucchini recipes I keep in my desk drawer. I pulled it out after seeing a photo of a co-worker's 5-pound specimen.

To blanch in boiling water:The company, which announced the initiative last month, said that it is not charging anything to manufacture the item, and designer Andrea Ruggiero has waived his royalty.(562) 903-0200In another bowl, mix together yogurt, mayonnaise, salt, cashews, sesame seeds and orange peel. Add zucchini mixture, and toss lightly.Additional information is available by contacting the company, at (800) 523-1269.1/2 cup sliced water chestnutsOf course, you won't want to put all your zucchini in the freezer right away, so here's a recipe from the above-mentioned "Zucchini Time" recipe book that's cool and crunchy.The blanching time for zucchini is 3 minutes for 1/4-inch slices and 6 minutes for 1/2-inch slices.- Bring water to rolling boil. Immerse wire basket, blanching basket or mesh bag containing vegetable.accuride.com1/2 teaspoon salt2 tablespoons sesame seeds- Cover the kettle, and boil at top heat the required length of time (this varies by vegetable and size of pieces). Begin counting time as soon as the water returns to a boil.CIRCLE 1571/2 teaspoon grated orange peelYou'll need a large kettle -- at least 2 gallons -- a colander, basket or net bag for dipping the vegetables into the water, large pans for cooling and ice cubes for the cooling water.Zucchini should be picked when it's about 6 inches long, according to K-State Research and Extension, which gives us our tips today for freezing zucchini.1 cup yogurt1 large apple, dicedCombine zucchini, apple, celery and water chestnuts.- Use 1 gallon water for each pound of vegetable except for leafy greens, which need 2 gallons per pound.Zucchini Salad Dressing: Grind, grate or chop raw zucchini. Add mayonnaise to taste. Season with pressed garlic or herbs. Use as dressing on lettuce and tomato salad.3 cups zucchini, thinly slicedSource: Sunset magazineHoliday Day Salad1/2 cup mayonnaiseLike all vegetables, zucchini should be blanched before freezing, and here's how Extension says to do it:- Drain the vegetables thoroughly. Extra water will form too many ice crystals.Send recipe requests and recipes to be shared to Recipe Exchange, Topeka Capital-Journal, 616 S.E. Jefferson, Topeka, 66607, or e- mail lisa.sandmeyer@cjonline.com.He wasn't trying to win a contest or anything, he just forgot to check the vines for a few days.1/2 cup diced celery

Send recipe requests and recipes to be shared to Recipe Exchange, Topeka Capital-Journal, 616 S.E. Jefferson, Topeka, 66607, or e- mail lisa.sandmeyer@cjonline.com.