A couple of weeks ago, in preparation for my “Taste” column that will be published this Sunday, September 13, in The Seattle Times Pacific Northwest magazine, I tested Cool-as-a-Cucumber Snack Cake, which won for both best cake in the vegetable category, and best overall cake submitted, in the 2008 Puyallup Fair.

The recipe was devised by my friend and colleague Alicia Comstock Arter, who’s Washington editor of the Zagat Guide, regional editor of Northwest Palate magazine, a blogger, and on Twitter (@AliciaArter).

Here’s a preview of the light, coffee-cake-like treat, rife with sugar-glazed pecans and a crunchy streusel topping. The recipe will appear along with the article, and the cake would make the perfect bake-sale item or as a treat in children’s lunch boxes this fall. Thanks for sharing the recipe, Alicia!