Zucchinis add zing to summer

WINDHAM — Considered by some in town as the summer's most beloved vegetable, the zucchini will once again take center stage at Nesmith Library.

The library's fifth annual "Zucchini Festival," a weeklong event, starts today. Residents are invited to dress a zucchini in a costume for "Zucchinis on Parade." The parade is the festival's main attraction.

"It has grown in popularity every year," said Elaine Rittenhouse, who came up with the idea for the festival with Diane Mayr in 2001. The librarians were inspired by one held in Keene.

Rittenhouse said the number of people who participate will depend on the zucchini crops and "how many people have zucchinis."

Past entrants have included a zucchini called "Moby Zuke," which was a zucchini made to look like the famous whale, Moby Dick, in a sea of blue gelatin in a glass dish, with blue and white confetti to resemble waves and a little toy boat floating nearby.

Another popular past entree was "Officer Zuccomeau," modeled after Windham police officer David Comeau, and another zucchini was turned into "Harry Zucchini," in honor of the famed escape artist.

Residents can begin bringing in their entries for the parade starting today and s can also bring zucchini dishes and desserts to the library at noon on Friday for a "zucchini cookoff." The public can have lunch that day and select the best entries in two categories: sweet and savory. Books will be awarded to the winners.

Following the lunch, a contest to see who has grown the biggest zucchini will be held. Zucchinis for this contest can be dropped off at the library throughout the week.

A table will be set up at the library for people to share harvests from their gardens, which will include tomatoes, green beans, cucumbers and zucchinis.