Chocolate "Surprise" Muffins!

(The surprise is, they're FULL of veggies!)

We've all done this, you purchase your produce with all the hopes and dreams of what you'll actually be able to use it before it goes bad.... until it does or you're left with a random carrot at the bottom of the vegetable drawer.

This is me and zucchini! I love it, my kids hate it, and I always have one or two leftover that I never know what to do with it. So, my trick is, I chop it up in a sautee and hope they don't notice. Or, I shred it up and bake it in a muffin! Zucchinis will add moisture without changing the flavor, so they're easy to disguise in breads and muffins.

Screenshot this if you need ideas for what to do with a lone squash or for fast breakfasts!

Here are some of my tips...

1- I normally can't seem to find the time to shred zucchini and make muffins in the same day. So if you're strapped for time, you can shred zucchini, squeeze out any excess moisture (see step #2) and store in the fridge for a day.

2- You'll need to squeeze out excess moisture, so here are some tips to make that easier. Shred zucchini with a cheese grater or processor and store it in a colander over a bowl, with a kitchen towel and heavy bowl on top. (I usually shred my zucchini directly over the colander and store in the sink.) OR you can place it in a handful of kitchen towels or paper towels and squeeze it out. Too much moisture will make the muffins mushy.

3- These will store on the counter for 3-4 days depending on temperature/ humidity. They'll keep in the freezer for 3-4 months and reheat well, so they're an easy lunch-filler or on-the-go-breakfast for rushed mornings. I've doubled the recipe here so you'll have a batch for now and a batch for later. (But seriously- they don't last long!)

4- One of my favorite recipe blogs, @ambitiouskitchen, taught me the tip for making muffins look more enticing. Either add the full amount of chocolate chips and then add a couple on top; or add fewer in the mix (as I've done here) and add more on top to keep the sugar content the same. My kiddos are chocolate-monsters and they go insane if they have too much sugar, so I have less chocolate in the mix and more on top so they LOOK like they've got tons, but they don't. Honestly, these still get inhaled the same and I think the extra topping makes them more appealing to little eaters.

Did you make this?? Tag me on Instagram @themomtrainer so I can cheer you on!

Want more recipes? Use the Recipes tag on the blog for more plant-based, nutritious, and delicious recipes the whole family will inhale.

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