Ingredients

  • For the Muffins
  • 2 cups zucchini, grated
  • 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 cup pine nuts
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup yogurt, plain whole-milk
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • For the Frosting
  • 6 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
  • 1/4 cup powdered sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Method

  • Heat oven to 350°F and arrange rack in middle. Butter and flour a 12-well muffin pan; set aside.
  • Toss zucchini and salt together in a small bowl. Place zucchini in a sieve, weight it down with a small bowl, and set it over a small mixing bowl to drain.
  • Heat a medium frying pan over medium heat, add pine nuts, and toast until golden brown all over, about 5 minutes. Remove to a small bowl and reserve.
  • Sift flour, baking powder, and ginger in a medium bowl to aerate and remove any lumps; set aside.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together sugar, yogurt, oil, eggs, and vanilla extract. Add dry ingredients and stir briefly until just combined.
  • Squeeze zucchini mixture by the handful to release excess water, then add to the batter, add pine nuts and stir until just combined (be sure not to overmix).
  • Fill each well of the muffin pan halfway with batter and bake until a toothpick inserted in a muffin comes out clean, about 20 minutes.
  • Set the pan on a wire rack and let muffins cool in the pan for 5 minutes. Remove muffins from the pan and serve plain or dressed while warm with with cream cheese frosting.
  • For the Frosting:.
  • Combine all ingredients and beat at low speed until sugar is incorporated.
  • Increase speed to medium high and beat until frosting is light and whipped, about 3 to 4 minutes.