Two weeks ago I wrote about uniquely Utah foods and asked readers for their suggestions.

Zucchini, the subject of today's' cover story, should be on the list of Utah-isms.

This isn't the only state where zucchini grows abundantly, but Utahns certainly have developed a lot of interesting recipes, as well as jokes, around this green squash.

"I tell people that zucchini is going to solve the world's hunger problem," wrote Cindy Henriksen of Lindon, who is compiling a book of zucchini recipes. "I want to call my book something like 'Man Shall Not Live by Zucchini Bread Alone.' "

And Clark Larsen recounted the joke about the out-of-town visitor advised to lock his car door while attending church, because otherwise the car would be full of zucchini when he returned.

Here are some e-mails listing foods that I could add to my "uniquely Utah" list:

"How could you leave out ice cream, the drug of choice among so many teetotalers. I lived in two other countries and several states and I have never seen such consumption of the frozen treat," wrote LaRue Workman of Provo.

"My aunt and I both think that Utah celery should be on the list," wrote Carolyn Y. Hunsaker. "My aunt is 89 and has known its reputation for YEARS. There is none that can compare. Sometimes the celery says 'Utah-Like Celery,' but it is not the same."

Carolyn, that's one food that never crossed my mind. But now I know.

"We went to college in Utah and now live in Nevada, and when we come back, it has to be Sensuous Sandwich in Provo," wrote Debby Wanlass.

Here are some of the suggestions posted online:

"Hot homemade whole wheat bread and fresh fruit freezer jam!"

"I once watched some Utahns complain bitterly at the till of a Mexican restaurant because the food was spicy. Bland, to me, is what Utah looks for in cuisine."

"All of the best desserts are in Utah, or made by ladies from Utah."

"Shaved ice is very common in Utah, too."

"How about salt from the Great Salt Lake?"

"Where did squeaky cheese come from? Is that more Idaho?"

"A food that is very Utah is venison."

"Scones with honey butter."

"Fresh Utah sweet corn. We wait all year for it. Yum!"

"My first thought for the Beehive State was honey."

"Casseroles."

"I moved out of state 13 years ago, but I think of Cache Valley Cheese, Aggie Ice Cream, Gossners' Root Beer, milk and fry sauce. Thankfully I live close enough to stock up on my visits. Sweet's saltwater taffy, too."

"Casseroles, shepherd's pie, Jell-O salad, whole wheat bread, mashed potatoes and gravy, and tomato sandwiches (sliced tomatoes, mayo, salt, pepper and bread)."

"Hires Big H — best burger in the nation. With fry sauce, of course."

For those readers who think the peanut butter cookies with a Hershey's Kiss, as well as Mrs. Fields Cookies, are original to Utah … they're not.

Peanut Blossoms was a product of the 1957 Pillsbury Bake-off. The first Mrs. Fields Cookies shop was in Palo Alto, Calif.

Several people mentioned Texas sheet cake, but if it was uniquely Utahn, why would "Texas" be part of the name?

e-mail: vphillips@desnews.com