Since I hadn't cooked much for the last 15 years, everything I do in the kitchen comes under the heading of "playing with food." I started with zucchini too. My "invention" (I actually think I got this from a vegetarian cookbook long ago) is Zucchini Zircles. Slice a zucchini into very thin circles; fry in butter. Turn over when the underside starts to be brown. After another minute or two, cover with shredded mozzarella cheese. I use the stuff that's already shredded and comes in a plastic bag.

This is my "I'm sick of meat" recipe.

My other "food plays" have ended up in the garbage. I make sure I have something edible defrosted -- live and learn I did come up with Chocolate Thing -- but there are dozens of variants of this. I just didn't read them. Soften cream cheese. Mix about 2 tbl with cocoa and 1 packet splenda. Eat. Not exactly a vegetable, but a darn fine after dinner snack

Angela, I love your "homework" assignments.