Chocolate Cucuzza Cake Recipes

CHOCOLATE ZUCCHINI CAKE WITH CUSTARD SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°. Grease and flour a 10-in. plain or fluted tube pan. In another bowl, beat sugar, oil and butter until well blended. Gradually beat in buttermilk, eggs and vanilla., In another bowl, whisk flour, cocoa, baking soda, cinnamon and cloves; gradually beat into sugar mixture. Stir in zucchini, chocolate chips and almonds., Transfer to prepared pan. Bake 55-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack to cool., For sauce, in a large saucepan, mix sugar, flour and cornstarch. Whisk in milk. Cook and stir over medium-high heat until thickened and bubbly. Reduce heat to low; cook and stir 2 minutes longer. Remove from heat., In a small bowl, whisk a small amount of hot mixture into egg yolks; return all to pan, whisking constantly. Bring to a gentle boil; cook and stir 2 minutes. Gently stir in butter and extract. Serve warm with cake. Cover and refrigerate leftover sauce.

CUCUZZA CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Sift flour, cinnamon, baking soda and baking powder together and set aside.
• Beat eggs with sugar, oil and vanilla.
• Add flour mixture to egg mixture, mix well.
• Add grated cucuza (skin, seed and all), orange zest, pineapple and pecans.
• Mix well.
• Divide batter into 2 greased loaf pans.
• Pan should be about 1/2 full.
• Bake for 45 minutes, or until cakes test done.
• Let cool for about 10 minutes.
• Mix all icing ingredients together, using enough milk to get a smooth, spreadable icing.
• Remove cakes from pans and glaze tops of cakes while warm.

CHOCOLATE CUCUZZA CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°F.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine butter, oil and sugar, creaming until smooth.
• Add eggs, one at a time beating well after each addition.
• Add vanilla and beat well.
• In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and cloves.
• Add dry ingredients to the creamed mixture, alternately with buttermilk.
• Stir in shredded cucuzza.
• Pour batter into a greased 13X9-inch baking pan.
• Bake for 45-50 minutes until done. You can test to see if the cake is done by inserting a toothpick near the center of the cake and see if it comes out clean. If it does, it's done.
• Allow cake to cool on a wire rack for about 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a medium mixing bowl, combine all frosting ingredients.
• Spread over warm cake.
• Broil in oven approximately 4-6 inches from the heat for about 2-3 minutes. Be careful not to burn, it will broil fast!
• Cool cake completely before serving.
• ~NOTE~ You don't have to peel or seed the cucuzza, just wash the outside skin with warm water and pat dry before shredding.

STEWED TOMATOES AND CUCUZZA

Steps:

• Heat oil in skillet and add onions and garlic.
• Saute until onions are tender (but do not brown).
• Add tomatoes and tomato sauce.
• Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer 2 minutes.
• Add diced cucuzza, basil, salt and pepper.
• Simmer an additional 20-30 minutes, until cucuzza is tender.
• Add Parmesan cheese before serving, if desired.

CHOCOLATE ITALIAN CREAM CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease and flour three 8-inch round cake pans. Separate the eggs.
• Cream 1/2 cup of the butter, shortening and sugar together. Add egg yolks, one at a time, beating after each addition. Stir in 1 teaspoon of the vanilla.
• Sift soda, flour and 1/4 cup cocoa together. Add alternately with buttermilk to the creamed mixture, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Stir in the coconut and 1 cup of the chopped pecans.
• Beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form and fold into the batter. Pour batter into the prepared cake pans.
• Bake at 325 degrees F (165 degrees C) for 25 to 30 minutes. Let cakes cool completely before frosting between layers and on sides.
• To Make Frosting: Cream the cream cheese and butter together. Sift confectioner's sugar and 1/4 cup cocoa, beating in a little at a time until well-creamed. Add 1 teaspoon vanilla and 1 cup pecans.

ITALIAN CUCUZZA STEW

Steps:

• Brown the ground beef in a skillet, drain and set aside.
• In a large dutch oven, add the olive oil and sauté the onion, celery, carrot, and garlic for about 4-5 minutes, or until the onions are translucent.
• Add the ground beef to the pot along with the can of whole tomatoes, add the cucuzza, and the rest of the ingredients. Bring to a boil and simmer, uncovered for around 45 minutes or until the squash is cooked.