
This lovely apple crisp doesn't have a single apple in it. Instead it uses some of the glut of zucchini that seems to happen every summer. I know it is hard to believe, but those zucchini taste just like apples when you follow this recipe. In fact, this might just be the best apple crisp you've ever had and there isn't a single apple in it. Just trust me and make it. Or make it to prove me wrong and see what happens. Either way, make this zapple crisp to try it for yourself!
Zucchini growers know there are phases to zucchini season. Every year it follows the same cyclic pattern.
- Gee, I can't wait for these zucchini to start producing.
- Mmmmm, I sure do love zucchini bread and zoodles.
- Won't my friends love these extra zucchini I have?
- My freezer is overflowing with shredded zucchini. I can make a loaf of zucchini bread every other day all winter long!
- My friends and family say I'm no longer welcome until zucchini season is over. I just picked zucchini yesterday and there are already new ones the size of my thigh out there!
- Man, zucchini season is over. I sure wish I could have made another batch of alfredo zoodles while we had the chance!
- I can't wait to plant zucchini!
Does that sound familiar? I'm sure it does! While tasty and fun, there is always a point during the season where you've had some sort of zucchini dish every day for 10 straight days and you still have a five gallon bucket of zucchini staring at you.
So it is great to have a wide variety of recipes to use them in. We always sautee them with garlic, salt and pepper and finish them with some Parmesan.
Little Dude loves using the zoodler so we usually have them with alfredo sauce and shrimp a few times. I'll be sharing a fun Italian sausage and veggie sheet pan supper recipe with you this week as well.
Little Dude loves using the zoodler so we usually have them with alfredo sauce and shrimp a few times. I'll be sharing a fun Italian sausage and veggie sheet pan supper recipe with you this week as well.

The nice thing about zucchini is with its mild flavor, it lends itself to sweet recipes as well. We really enjoy the zucchini loaves from Seattle recipe I found while baking from Maida Heatter's Cakes book with the Cake Slice Bakers.
My brother makes a great zucchini bread too and I'll share his recipe on Friday. But one of my favorite ways to make zucchini sweet is in Jan's Almost Apple Pie.
I love how surprising it is to eat zucchini that way! It tastes just like apple pie!
My brother makes a great zucchini bread too and I'll share his recipe on Friday. But one of my favorite ways to make zucchini sweet is in Jan's Almost Apple Pie.
I love how surprising it is to eat zucchini that way! It tastes just like apple pie!
In the comments of that recipe somebody suggested that they love zapple crisp. I instantly fell in love with the idea and knew I had to run with it. So this is my own take on that idea.
I started out using the almost apple pie recipe's filling as a base. We like it so much it seemed silly to try to reinvent the wheel.
Then I made a topping that was full of oats and brown sugar. I pressed the topping into the apples a bit. That way it married itself into something extra delicious.
Then I made a topping that was full of oats and brown sugar. I pressed the topping into the apples a bit. That way it married itself into something extra delicious.

Let me tell you, this is getting made again! I knew we were going to like it, but those caramelly undertones of the brown sugar and the oatmeal crisp really made it something special. Of course a scoop of MiMi's homemade ice cream didn't hurt a thing.
Now we are sadly to the point of waiting for next year's harvest. Those last few zucchini sat around for a few days as I struggled for inspiration and now I am longing for more! What are your favorite zucchini recipes?
Yield: 8 Servings

Brown Sugar Zapple Crisp
This lovely apple crisp doesn't have a single apple in it. Instead it uses some of the glut of zucchini that seems to happen every summer. I know it is hard to believe, but those zucchini taste just like apples when you follow this recipe. In fact, this might just be the best apple crisp you've ever had and there isn't a single apple in it. Just trust me and make it. Or make it to prove me wrong and see what happens. Either way, make this zapple crisp to try it for yourself!
Prep time: 10 MCook time: 1 hourTotal time: 1 H & 10 M
Ingredients:
Filling
- 6 cups zucchini
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cream of tartar
- dash of salt
- 2 Tablespoons flour
- 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 dashes nutmeg
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 3/4 cup flour
- 3/4 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 cup butter
Instructions:
To Prepare Zucchini
- For medium zucchini, peel, slice in half lengthwise, remove seeds and then thinly slice. the slices should resemble apple slices. For small zucchini with tender seeds, I usually just peel and slice.
- In a large skillet or saucepan, cook zucchini in a small amount of water for 10 minutes. Begin timing when the water begins to bubble. Remove from heat and drain completely.
- Mix cream of tartar, salt, flour, lemon juice, nutmeg, sugar and cinnamon with zucchini.
- Pour into a 9" pan or small casserole. I used a deep dish pie plate.
Topping and Assembly
- Preheat oven to 350 F.
- Mix together brown sugar, flour and rolled oats.
- Either cut in the butter using a couple of knives or use your fingers to work it into the flour, sugar and oats. The mixture should be crumbly when finished.
- Spread over the zucchini, pressing in lightly.
- Bake for 45-50 minutes or until the filling is bubbly and the topping is golden.
Calories
305.51
305.51
Fat (grams)
12.73
12.73
Sat. Fat (grams)
7.53
7.53
Carbs (grams)
46.00
46.00
Fiber (grams)
2.74
2.74
Net carbs
43.25
43.25
Sugar (grams)
28.46
28.46
Protein (grams)
4.34
4.34
Sodium (milligrams)
117.26
117.26
Cholesterol (grams)
30.50
30.50
Copyright: Cooking With Carlee 2020


I'm pinning this recipe now! I can't wait to try your zucchini "zapple" crisp!
ReplyDeleteI hope you give it a try! I think it is so much fun to make zucchini taste like apples and the results are delicious! Thanks, Val!
DeleteAs soon as I saw the title I got excited, hoping the z meant there was some zucchini in here :). THIS SOUNDS AMAZING! If you have excess zucchini right now, feel free to send it my way. I'll never tell you you're not welcome around here!
ReplyDeleteHa! I'll make you a trade... some zucchini for whatever treats you have hiding in your freezer!
DeleteWay to get those creative juices flowing!!! I loved your zucchini phases list. It rings pretty true. I do like the idea of turning zucchini into dessert. Thanks for sharing this great recipe. I am going to have to try it!
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of turning anything into dessert ;-) I hope you do give it a try, we thought it was soooo good!
DeleteI never get tired of zucchini! This recipe sounds amazeballs! :) Pinned!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jas! I definitely had fun getting a bit more creative with it this year!
DeleteOoooo, Carlee. Yum!!
ReplyDeleteIt really is good!! Thanks, Camilla!
DeleteWow!! Zapple crisp :D. What a great idea! I have never gone past zucchini fries.. Hiding zucchini in there is so clever.. And yumm!!
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing how much it tastes like apple! I still need to do zucchini fries. I know we'll love them!
DeleteI love the name "Zapple" crisp! Super cute! I just call is mock apple, but your name is much better. Thanks for linking up to the Friday Frenzy!
ReplyDeleteHa! Thank you!
DeleteWe will love your Zapple Crisp! Thanks so much for sharing your post with us at Full Plate Thursday and have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteMiz Helen
Thanks, Miz Helen! It is a great way to use up some of that extra zucchini!
DeleteLove this! Pinned! Thanks for sharing at Friday Frenzy Link Party! XOXO
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kelly!
DeleteWow Carlee - that actually sounds fantastic. Who'd thunk it? And so true about the zucchini, lol~
ReplyDeleteIt sounds a little crazy at first, but it really worked! I'd happily have zapple crisp in place of apple crisp any time and I LOVE apples!
DeleteI can't imagine zucchini in a crisp. I definitely have to try this.
ReplyDeleteYou really should (and report back!)
DeleteOk.. YOu had me at Zapple.. and then at Crisp!.. a must try! Farmers Market Week's Recipe Collection Link up is so grateful you shared it for Celebrate 365
ReplyDeleteIt really is a must try! It is amazing how much it tastes like apple crisp!
Delete