Locally Grown Zucchini .99/lb

Yesterday I bought zucchini for the first time ever. It was quite emotional for me. It was one of those moments when an action takes on more meaning than was ever intended. Things got a little weird.

It’s not like I haven’t had zucchini before. I make wonderful zucchini bread. Sometimes I cook zucchini and squash together and it is a tasty treat. But I have never bought zucchini, it was always given to me. I stood in front of the zucchini display and, in my mind, I saw a proud, dirty little face in coke bottle glasses standing at my front door.

“Miss ImPerceptible, my zucchini plant grew real live zucchinis. See?”

He handed me two zucchinis and stood there very proud and little shy, shuffling from side to side and avoiding eye contact.

“They’re for you. You can have them.”

I thanked him, gave him a hug, and invited him in. He went to play Zoo Tycoon with my oldest. I found a recipe for zucchini bread and baked two loaves. When he left I sent one home with him.

A few weeks later he showed back up at my door with zucchini.

“These are for you. My mom said I can’t ask you to make more zucchini bread even though it was the best bread I have had. Ever. You are such a good cook but these are for you. I can’t ask you to make zucchini bread for me.”

I made more zucchini bread and told him not to worry, he didn’t ask me, I decided to make it myself. He was one happy little boy. On his way out he turned back and gave me an awkward little hug then ran out the door and back home.

So yesterday I bought enough zucchini to make several loaves of zucchini bread. We’ll eat some and I’ll put some in the freezer. I’m sure they’ll be good. But they won’t be as good as the ones I made, without being asked, from real live zucchini hand delivered to my door. That was the best zucchini bread ever.

Tags: bread, memories, still missing you little guy, zucchini