Zucchini Day Theme

by Ralph Spoilsport

Zucchini Day—or, more formally, Sneak Some Zucchini Onto Your Neighbor’s Porch Night—is celebrated every August 8. The holiday was established by Thomas Roy, a resident of the tiny borough of Mount Gretna in southern Lebanon County, Pennsylvania. The inspiration for the holiday is the fact that so many folks’ home gardens produce more zucchini than they could ever use themselves, so they have to find someone to take the extra veggies. But since everyone else has also planted too many zucchini the excess squash must be left on neighbors’ porches under the cover of night.

The borough of Mount Gretna is one of the smallest municipalities in the Commonwealth, with a population of 242 in the year 2000, but it attracts thousands to a wide variety of events, particularly during the summer months. Draws include music and theater events at the playhouse, Chatauqua lectures, and a nationally-ranked juried art show every August. The Jigger Shop, a 100+ year old ice cream parlor, is a local favorite. It’s an eclectic, somewhat bohemian community, with narrow, shaded streets lined with cozy “cottages,” each one different from the last. Hikes through the surrounding woodlands may take you to Dino Rock and Governor Dick Tower. (Don’t forget to bring your boxing gear!) And a short drive will lead you to the home of everybody’s favorite letterboxer and used car salesman, Ralph Spoilsport.

Preheat oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, combine flour, salt, nutmeg, baking soda, cinnamon and sugar. In a separate bowl, combine oil, eggs, water, zucchini and lemon juice. Mix wet ingredients into dry, add nuts and fold in. Bake in 2 standard loaf pans, sprayed with nonstick spray, for 1 hour, or until a tester comes out clean. Alternately, bake in 5 mini loaf pans for about 45 minutes.