Baked Zucchini Frittata Loaf: The Ultimate Make-Ahead Dish for Your Farmers’ Market Picnic
Embrace the vibrant flavors of summer with this delightful Zucchini Frittata Loaf. Crafted with fresh zucchini, fragrant dill, creamy eggs, and bursts of salty feta, it’s a culinary masterpiece that’s as winning in taste as it is convenient. Perfectly designed for effortless transport, this baked loaf is an ideal centerpiece for picnics and potlucks, served at room temperature, or a fantastic main dish for any light summer meal. Join us on a sun-drenched weekend adventure as we explore the bustling farmers’ market with friends, followed by a relaxing and delicious picnic featuring this incredible frittata alongside other market treasures and pre-prepared delights.
As summer reaches its peak, gardens and local markets burst with an incredible bounty of fresh produce. Even with our own garden yielding a generous harvest, the allure of the farmers’ market is undeniable. It’s a delightful ritual to stroll through the vibrant stalls, discover fruits we don’t cultivate, or experiment with new vegetables and herbs that spark our culinary curiosity. The farmers’ market is more than just a place to shop; it’s a lively hub of community spirit, filled with the bustling energy of happy crowds, the harmonious sounds of local music, and the infectious aroma of freshly baked goods and sizzling food truck fare. Beyond the pyramids of colorful produce, an array of artisanal items tempts every sense: crusty breads, savory meats, fragrant flowers, intricate crafts, and homemade preserves. It truly embodies a unique summer party atmosphere, a place where connections are made and delicious memories are born.
Exploring Our Favorite Local Farmers’ Market
Among the many wonderful markets, the St. Albert Farmers’ Market holds a special place in our hearts. Renowned as the largest outdoor farmers’ market in Canada, it transforms into the ultimate destination on any sunny Saturday morning during the summer months. The air hums with excitement, the streets teem with friendly faces, and the sheer scale of vendors is astounding. It’s an experience that truly captures the essence of summer abundance and community.
The market gracefully unfurls across three distinct streets, branching out into delightful extra pockets where more vendors, gourmet food trucks, and inviting spaces for picnickers can be discovered. Every corner reveals a new treasure, from handcrafted goods to freshly picked produce, creating an immersive journey for every visitor. The thoughtful layout allows for both energetic browsing and peaceful moments of enjoyment, making it a perfect spot to spend a summer day.
The iconic art installation, affectionately dubbed the ‘Aspara-geese’ by locals, serves as a whimsical and unmistakable landmark, proudly marking the entrance to the St. Albert Farmers’ Market. These eye-catching statues are not just public art; they are a cherished symbol that signals the start of a delightful market experience for many.
A Joyful Morning at the Farmers’ Market
Our market mornings are always a highlight, especially when shared with dear friends like Nicoletta and Loreto, who share our profound love for picnics. We arrive with empty baskets and eager anticipation, ready to embrace the cheerful chaos and abundant offerings. It’s a perfect morning for a leisurely stroll, letting the gentle flow of the crowd guide us through rows of colorful stalls. We meticulously survey the freshest produce, making careful selections for our upcoming picnic. Our baskets soon fill with sun-kissed, ripely glowing apricots, a crisp handful of snappy garden peas, and a fragrant loaf of freshly baked focaccia. From the charcuterie vendor, we procure a delectable ring of garlicky ham sausage, and further down the market, a substantial chunk of aged local cheddar cheese. Each item, carefully chosen, promises to add a burst of local flavor to our feast, transforming our baskets into a treasure trove of market delights.
The Delight of Picnic Time
After an engaging and productive morning at the market, our appetites whetted and baskets brimming, we make our way to a serene grassy expanse within Millennium Park, nestled alongside the gentle flow of the Sturgeon River. We scout out the perfect picnic spot, settling on a charming table ideally situated beside the picturesque suspension bridge. From this vantage point, we can also admire the historic St. Albert Trestle Bridge further down the river, adding a scenic backdrop to our outdoor meal.
Transporting our picnic gear from the car is made easy with our trusty wagon. Once at our chosen spot, the real fun begins: arranging everything to create an inviting and aesthetically pleasing setup. We meticulously unpack our wooden placemats, elegant plastic glasses, and stylish melamine serving boards and bowls, each item carefully chosen to elevate our outdoor dining experience. A critical touch that always makes a picnic feel truly special is the inclusion of fresh flowers. Today, vibrant poppies, cheerful calendulas, and delicate white Maltese cross blossoms, freshly picked from our garden, serve as a welcoming beacon of brightness. (A clever trick to keep poppies fresh is to burn the bottom half-inch of their stems with a candle or torch to seal them, preventing sap loss and wilting. We transport them wrapped in wet paper towels and tucked into a canning jar.) This attention to detail transforms a simple meal into a memorable occasion.
Essential Tips for a Perfect Picnic Setup
Our wicker picnic basket is exclusively for our serving dishes, keeping them organized and protected. For perishable items, an insulated cooler packed with ice packs is indispensable, ensuring everything stays refreshingly cold. Additional baskets and crates are utilized to neatly store serving boards, tablecloths, cloth napkins, our fresh flowers, and other miscellaneous necessities. We always come prepared with compostable bags for waste and for stashing dirty dishes to be cleaned at home. Hand wipes, paper towels, or wet cloths in sealed bags are crucial for easy cleanup on the go. And, of course, bug spray and sunscreen are absolute must-haves for comfortable outdoor enjoyment. We’ve also adopted a brilliant new hack: a small folding stool and a cooler jug filled with water, which, when combined with a hand towel, create a convenient and hygienic hand-washing station right at our picnic site. For beverages, ice cubes go into a wide-mouth thermos to stay solid longer, while hot coffee is kept piping hot in a thermal flask. These thoughtful preparations guarantee a smooth, enjoyable, and stress-free picnic experience for everyone.
Our Delectable Farmers’ Market Picnic Menu
Zucchini Frittata Loaf
Green Bean and Potato Salad
Cherry Tomato, Cucumber, and Spicy Olive Skewers
Focaccia and Black Olive Tapenade
Slices of Ham Sausage, Aged Cheddar Cheese, Fresh Peas in the Shell
Whole Wheat Peach Hand Pies, Sweet Ripe Apricots
Iced Mint Tea with Honey, Lemon Water, Hot Coffee
The true charm and versatility of planning a farmers’ market picnic lies in its inherent flexibility. The menu naturally adapts to whatever delicious produce and artisanal goods are in season on any given day. This allows for endless creativity and ensures maximum freshness. Simply choose the vegetables, fruits, and delightful nibbles that call to you most from the abundant and ever-changing offerings of the market stalls, crafting a meal that is both personal and perfectly in tune with the season.
A Table Full of Market Delights
- Zucchini Frittata Loaf – This is truly the star of our picnic, perfect for outdoor dining because it can be made a day in advance and is utterly delicious served at room temperature, making sunny days completely worry-free. It’s a wonderfully savory vegetarian dish, generously loaded with finely shredded zucchini, fluffy eggs, tangy feta cheese, and a generous amount of fresh dill, capturing the essence of a summer garden in every bite. (You’ll find the full recipe conveniently located at the end of this post.)
- Green Bean and Potato Salad – Loreto’s mom’s traditional Italian potato salad recipe instantly evokes the warmth of summer. The combination of tender flat romano beans (though regular green beans work beautifully too) and creamy new potatoes is a culinary match made in heaven, offering a comforting yet fresh side dish.
- Cherry Tomato, Cucumber, and Spicy Olive Skewers – These colorful skewers are incredibly simple to prepare yet pack a punch of flavor. We simply thread short skewers with vibrant cherry tomatoes and crisp cubes of cucumber (cut from the centers of thick slices of English cucumbers). Alternating these fresh veggies with piquant, spicy pitted olives adds a delightful zing. (For an extra kick, I marinated store-bought mixed pitted olives overnight with dried red pepper flakes.)
- Focaccia and Black Olive Tapenade – Our rustic focaccia, purchased fresh from a market baker, was the perfect vehicle for a rich black olive tapenade. I brought a jar of homemade tapenade, crafted a few months prior and stored in the freezer (alas, no specific recipe to share, but it was incredibly flavorful!). We spread it generously on the focaccia, savoring its salty depth not only with the bread but also alongside the frittata and potato salad.
- Sausage, Cheese, and Peas – These were true market treasures! The robust flavor of the garlicky ham sausage, the creamy tang of aged cheddar cheese, and the sweet snap of fresh peas in their shells provided ideal nibbles, perfect for grazing before and during our main picnic spread.
- Peach Hand Pies – Our friend Nicoletta brought these irresistible rustic hand pies, lovingly baked with succulent fresh peaches she sourced from the market just last week. The crisp, flaky whole wheat crust perfectly enveloped the tangy-sweet peaches, which were deliciously jammy and juicy – absolutely divine! To complement these, we also laid out a bowl of the perfectly ripe apricots we had bought, adding another layer of seasonal sweetness to our dessert course.
- To drink: Our beverage selection included large canning jars filled with refreshing iced mint tea, subtly sweetened with honey, crisp cold water infused with lemon slices, and a comforting thermos of hot coffee. Even on a warm day, that steaming coffee proved to be just the perfect accompaniment to our delightful peach hand pies.
Why Zucchini Frittata Loaf is Your Go-To Picnic Dish
This Zucchini Frittata, baked conveniently in a loaf pan, is truly the epitome of an ideal picnic dish. Its inherent deliciousness at room temperature makes it exceptionally practical for outdoor events, eliminating any concerns about keeping it warm or cold. Furthermore, its clever loaf shape simplifies transportation; you can simply carry it to your picnic destination right in its parchment paper-lined loaf pan. The parchment paper not only aids in easy removal but also expertly prevents any metallic taste from influencing the delicate flavors of the frittata, ensuring pristine taste enjoyment.
To achieve the perfect texture for this frittata, an essential preliminary step involves salting the shredded zucchini. This process draws out excess moisture, which is then thoroughly squeezed out using a clean kitchen towel. This diligent removal of water is key to preventing a watery frittata and instead, ensures a beautifully firm yet tender final product. The eggs bake up remarkably creamy, creating a luxurious base that perfectly cradles the other ingredients. Throughout the loaf, pockets of crumbled feta cheese introduce delightful bursts of salty, tangy flavor, while generous amounts of fresh dill infuse the entire frittata with the bright, aromatic taste of a summer garden. The loaf bakes to a deeply burnished, golden-brown crust, which, when sliced, reveals a vibrant, green-flecked yellow interior. This striking visual appeal, combined with its irresistible taste and make-ahead convenience, positions the Zucchini Frittata Loaf as a truly appetizing and satisfying main course for any picnic or light summer meal.
More Delicious Picnic Inspiration
We genuinely adore the art of picnicking! It’s such a wonderful way to connect with friends, revel in beautiful natural surroundings, and savor truly delicious food. There’s something uniquely rejuvenating about dining al fresco, creating cherished memories under the open sky.
For more fantastic recipes, creative ideas, and a wealth of practical tips to help you host your own memorable themed picnic, be sure to explore our other inspiring picnic adventures:
- Gluten-Free Sausage Rolls and a Glorious Autumn Picnic
- Homemade Tomato Soup and a Late Fall Picnic by the Lake
- Lemon Mousse and a Fun & Games Picnic
- Scotch Eggs and a Scottish Picnic at the River
Alternatively, why not elevate your outdoor dining with a charming and elegant Afternoon Tea picnic or a delightful brunch? It’s a truly splendid way to indulge yourself and your friends with some special time together, filled with delicate treats and delightful conversation.
- Gluten-Free Victoria Sponge Cake and a Lovely Summer Afternoon Tea Picnic
- Coronation Chicken Salad Sandwiches and a Perfect Afternoon Tea Picnic
- Butter Pecan Bars and a Glowing Afternoon Tea Picnic in the Orchard
- Raspberry Meringue Kisses and a Dreamy Blue & White Afternoon Tea Picnic
- Cheesecake Cupcakes and a Festive Christmas Brunch
For more delectable recipes and an even deeper dive into our memorable picnic outing, head over to Nicoletta and Loreto’s wonderful blog, SugarLoveSpices. You can find the incredibly tasty Whole Wheat Peach Hand Pie recipe and the cherished Green Bean and Potato Salad recipe, along with their unique perspective on our shared farmers’ market picnic adventure.
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Guten Appetit!
Zucchini Frittata Loaf
Margaret Bose Johnson
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Equipment
- box grater or large-holed shredder
- clean kitchen tea-towel
- medium-sized loaf pan (8½ x 4½-inches/21.5 x 11.5 cm, inside top measurement)
Ingredients
- 3 medium zucchini, each about 7-inches/18-cm long (about 550 g/19½ oz. total weight)
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
- 9 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
- 4green onions/spring onions/scallions, thinly sliced
(or ⅓ cup finely chopped onion)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ¾ cup (100 g) crumbled feta cheese
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375℉ (190℃). Line a medium-sized loaf pan (approximately 8½ x 4½-inches / 21.5 x 11.5 cm, measured at the inside top) with a single large piece of parchment paper. Ensure the paper extends well above the pan on all four sides to create convenient handles. Tip: Lightly crumple the parchment paper into a ball first, then smooth it out; this simple trick makes it much easier to fit snugly into the pan.
- Using the large holes of a box grater, shred the zucchini, including its peel. Transfer the shredded zucchini into a colander and toss it thoroughly with ½ teaspoon of fine sea salt. Place the colander in the sink or over another bowl to drain for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally to help redistribute the salt and release more liquid.
- Gather the drained zucchini into the center of a clean kitchen tea-towel. Bring the corners of the towel together and twist them tightly, forming the zucchini into a compact ball. Over a sink or bowl, vigorously twist the ends of the towel to force out all the excess liquid from the shredded zucchini. Continue squeezing until you are left with approximately 1½ to 1¾ cups of well-drained zucchini. Set the zucchini aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, garlic powder, onion powder, the remaining ¼ teaspoon of fine sea salt, and ¼ teaspoon of pepper until thoroughly combined and slightly frothy.
- To the whisked egg mixture, add the squeezed-out zucchini, chopped fresh dill, thinly sliced green onions, and crumbled feta cheese. Stir gently to ensure all ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
- Carefully pour the zucchini frittata mixture into the prepared parchment paper-lined loaf pan. Use a spatula or the back of a spoon to gently smooth the top surface of the mixture.
- Bake the frittata for 60-70 minutes, or until the center is just set and the top has a beautiful golden-brown color. A knife inserted into the center should come out mostly clean.
- Allow the frittata loaf to cool slightly in the pan before attempting to slice it. It can be served warm immediately after cooling, or left to cool completely to be enjoyed later the same day or the next, making it perfect for a picnic.
- If you plan to cool the frittata and serve it at a later time: once it has cooled down sufficiently, use the parchment paper overhang as handles to carefully lift the frittata out of the pan. Drain any accumulated juices from the pan, then gently return the frittata (still in its parchment paper) back into the cleaned pan. Cover it tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and refrigerate. For optimal flavor and texture, remove it from the refrigerator at least half an hour before serving to allow it to come closer to room temperature. The frittata is indeed best enjoyed at room temperature. It can be easily transported to your picnic, still in its paper and pan, for ultimate convenience.
- To serve, slice the cooled frittata loaf into eight (approximately 1-inch thick) even slices.
Notes
If you opt to use a larger loaf pan than specified, anticipate a flatter loaf with wider, shorter slices. The baking time will also be reduced, so begin checking for doneness around the 50-minute mark.