Yummy Pecan, Sunflower Seed, and Zucchini Loaf

ABOUT THE RECIPE:

When you need tasty and satisfying comfort food, this vegan "Pecan, Sunflower Seed, and Zucchini Loaf " will truly please! It has quite a few steps, but it's so delicious, it's well-worth the extra time to assemble and bake. This plant-based loaf can be doubled or tripled, so it makes a wonderful recipe for a fancy party or holiday dish.

Makes 4 servings

INGREDIENTS:

• 1½ cups raw sunflower seeds or roasted sunflower seeds
• 1 cup pecan halves (see note for substitutions)
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning blend
• ¾ teaspoon salt, divided
• 2 cups freshly ground bread crumbs (use gluten-free if needed, see note)
• ⅓ cup finely minced red or sweet onion
• 2 cups (firmly packed) grated zucchini (do not peel)
• 1½ tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more as needed

INSTRUCTIONS:

Line an 8- x 4-inch loaf pan with unbleached parchment paper, leaving a 2½ -inch overhang on the two lengthwise sides of the pan. Put the sunflower seeds, pecans, Italian seasoning, and 1/4 teaspoon salt, in a blender or food processor and process into coarse crumbs. Transfer the sunflower seed mixture to a large bowl.

Add the bread crumbs, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and minced onion; stir to combine. Add the grated zucchini and olive oil; stir to combine. Add more olive oil, if needed, if the mixture still seems dry. Press the mixture into the prepared loaf pan. Fold the excess parchment paper over the top of the loaf and gently press down. This will keep the loaf moist while baking. If time allows, refrigerate for 2 to 4 hours to allow the loaf to firm up before baking.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes. Remove the loaf from the oven and carefully peel back the parchment paper that is covering the top of the loaf. Bake for an additional 15 to 20 minutes, or until the loaf is slightly golden in color, firm to the touch, and heated through. Put the pan on a wire rack and let cool 10 minutes. Using the paper wings, gently lift the loaf out of the pan and put it on a cutting board, then carefully peel off the parchment paper from the sides of the loaf. Let cool 5 to 10 minutes more. Cut the loaf into 8 slices, (it will be very soft!) using a serrated bread knife and wiping the knife clean after cutting each slice. Serve 2 slices per person, with Simple Mushroom Gravy on the side, if desired (recipe below).

• Chef’s Note: Freshly made bread crumbs must be used in this recipe, as dry bread crumbs will not hold the loaf together. To make fresh bread crumbs, tear 4 to 6 slices of fresh, soft, whole-grain bread into chunks. (Use gluten-free bread if needed.) Put one-half of the bread chunks in a blender and process (on low) into coarse crumbs. Continue in this way with the remaining bread chunks.
• Chef’s Note: You can use walnuts in place of the pecans, if desired. If you cannot have nuts, use an additional cup of sunflower seeds in place of the pecans.

SIMPLE MUSHROOM GRAVY

I served this gravy to my good friend Shep at a dinner party that I was hosting, and he proclaimed it to be “the best gravy I’ve ever had!” Well, thank you, Shep! (Shhh…I didn’t tell him that this is also the easiest gravy I’ve ever made). Bingo.

Makes 6 servings

INGREDIENTS

• 1½ cups, plus 3 tablespoons water
• ¼ of a large sweet onion, diced
• 12 ounces white button or cremini mushrooms, diced
• 1 large vegan bouillon cube, crumbled
• 1½ tablespoons whole wheat flour or oat flour (use gluten-free oat flour if needed), plus more as needed 

INSTRUCTIONS:

Put 1½ cups water, onion, mushrooms, and bouillon cube in a medium-sized saucepan. Cover, and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Decrease the heat to medium-low and cook for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring occasionally. Meanwhile, put the flour, and 3 tablespoons water in a jar with a tight fitting lid, and shake vigorously until smooth. Pour the flour/water mixture into the simmering mushroom gravy in a slow, steady stream, briskly whisking as you go, so the flour mixture does not become lumpy.

Cook, stirring frequently, until the gravy begins to thicken. Decrease the heat to low, cover, and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 20 to 30 minutes more, or until the gravy has cooked down and has thickened to the desired consistency. Serve hot.