How I came to start making pineapple from zucchini...

When living in Ashton Il., we had the best neighbors! One I often remember fondly, was Mildred "Choppy" Linscott.  One year she got a new Kitchen aide mixer/blender/meat grinder ..A deluxe mixer of it's time. As she was showing it to me and the new terry towel covers she had made for her appliances, we decided to try our hand at making pineapple from zucchini. She promised me she was told by her cousin.."No one  will never know the difference!".  A gardening friend gladly  presented her with all the zucchini she wanted, and she brought home about 20 or so "torpedoes"  . They were huge, but Choppy said those were the best ones for making pineapple.  We proceeded to cut , peel , blenderize and then drain  all the zucchini. . We ended up with about 3 buckets full of shredded up zucchini. ! Now those of you that knew Choppy will appreciate this next part. She had a way of using her hands when she would talk, waving them around ( knife and all) ..so you can appreciate my nerves while we were cutting up all this zucchini and me ducking some very  busy hands....ha!   Anyway..we ended up with about 40 jars or so of "crushed pineapple"...and now you  know why so many  family and friends of Choppy's... got a delicious pineapple flange cake delivered  to your home .those next couple years. We also gave some to mom and brought some home for us to use...Today as I make some more of this,( yes, I finally ran out)  I smile and remember my dear friend. She was one in a million and a wonderful friend..

 

 

 

ZUCCHINI PINEAPPLE4 quarts zucchini, grated or diced ( crushed or tidbits)
1 1/2 cups bottled lemon juice (standardized acidity)
1 can ( 46 oz. ) unsweetened pineapple juice
3 cups sugar
Remove peel from zucchini and seeds. Coarsely grate or cube zucchini into small cubes.
Mix all ingredients thoroughly and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring frequently.
Fill clean hot jars with hot zucchini mixture leaving 1/2 inch head space. Adjust lids and process 15 minutes for half pints or pint jars. ( Do not put in jars larger than pints. )Remove jars and allow to cool completely. Test seal and store in a cool dry place.

 

you can use it to make upside down pineapple cake, breads and other recipes calling for pineapple.