Roasted Zucchini - Courgette. Cherry Tomatoes and Popped Black Bean Salad

I mentioned in a previous blog post that I don't quite get the fuss around popped beans,  and now having made some at home, I am still bemused.  

Also I was a little unsure how to use them having now made them, as they are not like traditional popcorn made with corn, but waste not want not - I decided to scatter them over some Savoury Courgette Muffins and this Roasted Zucchini and Cherry Tomato Salad.  

The Popped Black Beans were elevated further by the generous dusting of some Outback Spirit Tasmanian Pepper Salt that Johanna sent to me last month.  I love it, so flavourful and zesty.  I can happily dip my finger in the bag and suck, but I am a grown up woman and won't do that, well that is what I am telling you.   

Zucchini - Courgette, Popped Black Beans and Feta Muffins

I did have plans on making some Green Grass scones that I had bookmarked, but with the courgettes coming from my garden fast and furiously, I decided to use some of them for these Savoury Courgette, Popped Black Bean Muffins.

I had made the popped black beans over the weekend as I was curious to see what the fuss was about this trendy food gimmick of popping beans such as black beans, chickpeas and kidney beans.  Once made, I was not quite sure how to use them as not like your usual popped corn kernels that are pretty like snowflakes.  These popped black beans looked a little messy and not particularly photogenic.  

Also these Popped Black Beans were not really crunchy liked popped corn, but soft inside and a little crisp on the outside.  I didn't dislike them, but I don't think it is something that I would make at home for us again.  I'd only make it again to share it with curious guests, but then I would try a different recipe. Since making these popped black beans, I have found two other recipes that look a little more tasty.  The recipes are from Community Food Coop (2011) and Adora's Box (2012)*. I won't share the one that I used from a cookbook and I won't pretend that the popped black beans is my idea either.

I will say one positive thing about the popped black beans though, they make for an interesting addition to a salad dish scattered over.  I don't think they really add anything in flavour, but more in colour and texture.  

Hence the reason, I decided to scatter some of the Popped Black beans over these Savoury Courgette, Feta Muffins; and some were scattered with pumpkin seeds .

The savoury Courgette, and Feta Muffins were delicious though, we are still eating them - three days later.

I am sharing the Savoury Savoury Zucchini - Courgette, Popped Black Beans and Feta  Muffins with Treat Petite hosted by The Baking Explorer and CakeyBoi; 

Welcoming August Eat Your Greens

August is here and it is my turn to host the Eat Your Greens challenge this month.  To participate this month, just share a vegan or vegetarian recipe that is made with green vegetables on your blog.  Then copy the link to the comment section below.  The deadline is the 30th August 2017.

For more details Follow this link on how to participate just please remember to link back to the host page (this page) and co-host The VegHog.   The use of the logo is optional, but appreciated.

If you are tweeting your recipe, please use #EatYoursGreens #eatyourgreens and include @SeasonalShaheen @TheVegHog and we will retweet all those that we see.   

If you want some Eat Your Greens inspiration, see what food bloggers from around the world shared in February , then check out my co-host The Veg Hog for inspiration.