Iron Chef Zucchini!

As many of you know, I so graciously throw myself a Birthday party every year. It all started many years ago when I decided that I couldn't just sulk and hope that one of my friends or family members would throw me a Birthday party when I could very well throw one for my own self. So, when I turned 20, I started throwing my own parties and it turns out that when I throw my own party and get to pick exactly what we are going to do and then it is always awesome.

So, six years ago, Matt thought of the idea to do an Iron Chef themed party and have everyone invited bring a dish with the secret ingredient and make it into a competition. Turns out that Iron Chef Birthday parties are awesome. There is a lot of food and I don't have to make it all and it is all really quality food because everyone wants to win.

This year, I chose zucchini as the secret ingredient. I knew that I wanted to do a veggie because I had already done fruit three times and last year was bacon, so it was time for a veggie. Last year, Matt and won the bacon competition with our bacon pizza trio, so this year we were judges for the competition. Which turned out to be awesome because then I didn't have to cook anything because I was not competing. Matt loved it so much that he says we should be judges every year, but I think the rotating judges is a more fair system. Otherwise everyone would have to cater to my tastes every year.

Here are some of the food items that showed up this year.

Zucchini Cupcakes (Tied for 3rd)

Zucchini Chicken Bake (2nd Place)

Zucchini Boats

Roasted Zucchini Lasagna (Tied for 3rd place)

Chocolate Zucchini Cake (the Birthday Cake)

All the food was really good and I love zucchini so it was just a lot of good food. But, the winner and Iron Chef of the night was my brother-in-law, DJ with his Zucchini ice cream. Sounds gross right? But it was delicious. It was like all the flavors of zucchini bread, only it was ice cream. It was awesome.

We also had Zucchini Lasagna and Lemon Zucchini pasta. The turn out was not as great this year as it has been in years past. This is perhaps due to the fact that I chose zucchini as an ingredient... or possibly it was the snow storm that was going on. A lot of guests called and said they were sick and wouldn't be able to make it. That is what I get for being born in the winter I suppose.

It is just so nice to have a fun party with good food and have all my friends and family there to celebrate with me. I will continue my tradition of throwing myself parties.

Here are some pics of the people who came.

DJ and Jenny (the winners)

My good friend Karmen

Robert and Patrick (they come every year but have yet to claim the title)

Mom

Anne and Olivia (she won the year of coconut with her coconut chicken)

Damon and Marie (has won second place all five years)

Lindy May