Sweet Zucchini Crumble for the most daring shareholders

(all others can stick with zucchini bread)

Silky smooth baked zucchini is the surprising filling in this sweet dessert. Like the best apple crumble, this dessert has a tender, lemony-sweet, spiced filling just waiting to be discovered beneath its irresistible, crunchy crust. Don't count on having leftovers. Farmer John's Cookbook

4 1/2 cups flour

3 cups sugar, divided

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 cups shortening, softened, or butter, cold

6 cups thinly sliced zucchini (about 3 zucchini)

2/3 cup lemon juice (about 3 lemons)

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground or grated nutmeg

1. Preheat the oven to 350° F.

2. Stir the flour, 2 cups of the sugar, and salt in a large bowl until well combined. Add the shortening or butter and cut it into the flour with a pastry blender or your fingertips until the mixture looks like coarse oatmeal.

3. Pour half of the mixture into a inch cake pan. Using your fingers or a rubber spatula, press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the pan. Bake for 10 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven and set it aside.

4. Combine the zucchini and lemon juice in a large pot over high heat and cook until zucchini is tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in the remaining 1 cup of sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Simmer for 1 minute more. Stir in 1/2 cup of the reserved flour mixture and continue to cook, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens. Remove the pot from the heat to cool for 10 minutes.

5. Pour the zucchini mixture over the baked crust and sprinkle with the remaining flour mixture. Return the pan to the oven and bake until it is lightly browned and bubbly, 40 to 45 minutes.