Barley Zucchini Boats Food

BARLEY STUFFED ZUCCHINI

Steps:

• Slice zucchini in half lengthwise.
• Microwave, flat side down on a paper towel for 3 or 4 minutes.
• Let cool a bit and scoop out pulp to form each half into a "boat".
• Put "boats" aside.
• Chop zucchini pulp.
• In a medium sauce pan, combine broth, mushrooms and barley.
• Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer, covered for 15 minutes.
• In a large bowl, combine cooked barley mixture, chopped zucchini pulp, bread crumbs, thyme, black pepper, black eyed peas and 1/8 cup of Parmesan cheese.
• Fill zucchini with filling.
• Place remaining filling into a greased baking pan.
• Place filled zucchini "boats" on top of stuffing.
• Pour can of tomatoes (with liquid) evenly on top of zucchini.
• Sprinkle with 2 T. Parmesan cheese.
• Bake, uncovered @375 degrees for about 45 minutes.

STUFFED ZUCCHINI BOATS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray a 13 by 9-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
• Using a spoon, scoop centers from zucchini while leaving a 1/4-inch rim on all sides to create boats. Drizzle with 1 Tbsp olive oil, then season with salt and pepper.
• Bake in preheated oven 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile heat 1 Tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and saute 3 minutes.
• Add sausage in crumbles, cook through, while breaking up meat during cooking. Add garlic during last 1 minute of cooking.
• Remove from heat stir in tomatoes, 1/3 cup panko bread crumbs and Italian seasoning. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Sprinkle 1/3 cup parmesan over zucchini boats, then divide filling among the zucchini boats.
• In a small mixing bowl stir together the mozzarella cheese, remaining 1/3 cup parmesan and remaining 1/3 cup panko bread crumbs. Sprinkle mixture over zucchini boats.
• Bake in preheated oven until tender, about 10 - 15 minutes. Sprinkle with parsley and serve warm.

ZUCCHINI BOATS

Steps:

• Trim and discard zucchini ends. Working with the 3 widest, cut across width into 2inch lengths. Using a melon baller or small spoon, scoop out inner meat and seeds of each 2-inch piece, leaving a thin base at bottom so "boat" stands for stuffing. Place scooped-out centers into a food processor.
• Roughly chop remaining zucchini. Add to food processor and puree until well chopped.
• Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil. Blanch zucchini boats just until they begin to soften, about 2 minutes. Immediately refresh in a bowl of iced water. Drain and arrange, flatside down, in a large jelly roll pan or roasting pan.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add reserved chopped zucchini and saute until liquid is evaporated, about 15 minutes. Stir in nuts, cook for 1 minute, then add cream, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil. Cook until cream thickens, about 3 minutes. Add 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese and all bread crumbs. Remove from heat and stir until smooth.
• Using a tablespoon or pastry bag fitted with a plain tip, stuff zucchini boats with cream mixture. Pour boiling water into pan containing filled zucchini boats until it rises about 1/4-inch, to form a water bath. Bake 15 minutes.
• Heat broiler. Sprinkle remaining Parmesan cheese over tops and place under broiler until slightly golden, about 1 minute. Serve immediately.

ITALIAN ZUCCHINI BOATS

Steps:

• Cut zucchini in half lengthwise. With a spoon, scoop out and reserve pulp, leaving a 3/8 inch shell. Cook shells in salted water for 2 minute; remove and drain.
• Chop zucchini pulp; place in a bowl. Add the bread crumbs, eggs, tomato, parmesan cheese, parsley and garlic. Stir in broth, salt and pepper. Stuff into zucchini shells.
• Place in greased 13x9x2-inch baking dish. Drizzle with butter. Bake, uncovered at 350° for 15 minutes remove and top with shredded mozarella for an additional 5 minutes.
• *You could substitute oregano instead of italian seasoning. I also use more of the basit and italian seasoning as I enjoy a more intense flavor.Season to suit.