Bonnies Baked Pepperoni Zucchini Faux Pizza Food

PEPPERNONI PIZZA AND ANTIPAST-NO MEAT SALAD

Steps:

• For the zucchini: Preheat the oven to 525 to 550 degrees F (as high as it goes) with rack at center. Preheat a 12-inch cast-iron skillet over medium to medium-high heat, to aid in a crispy bottom crust while pizza is in oven.
• Gather your ingredients. Thinly slice the zucchini (think pepperoni sausage) and add to strainer. Season with salt, let drain 15 minutes, then pat dry on towel.
• In a small bowl, combine spices. Add it to the zucchini and toss to combine.
• For the sauce: In a food processor, combine ingredients for sauce and puree.
• For the pizza: Roll and stretch dough on lightly floured surface into a 12- to 14-inch even round that will cover pan. (Place some AP flour in a squeeze bottle for flouring counter to roll out dough. I use this tip at home.) Turn off heat under skillet and sprinkle a little cornmeal or semolina in skillet. Press dough into hot skillet and up sides as much as possible. Reminder: The pan is hot. Brush or spray the dough with EVOO and season with a little salt and pepper or red pepper flakes. Top the dough with sauce, half the zucchini, cheese and remaining zucchini, then place pizza in oven.
• Bake 10 to 12 minutes to deep golden, brown and bubbly.
• Use a funnel to fill a squirt bottle with honey and Calabrian chile paste. Run under hot tap water to loosen when using. Hot honey will keep for months in pantry and is great with cheeses for snacking and fried foods as well as pizza, of course.
• Drizzle the pizza with the hot honey mixture and top with basil and oregano. Serve with Vegetable Antipasti Salad.
• To a mixer with dough hook attached add warm water and yeast and let the yeast bloom and foam, 5 minutes. Add EVOO, honey and salt and turn on mixer. Add the flour gradually to form dough, then transfer to a bowl drizzled with a little EVOO and cover, let stand 1 hour. Cut dough in half, wrap half the dough and freeze for later use. Roll and press remaining dough on floured surface to 12-inch round.
• Gather ingredients.
• Thinly slice fennel. Chop and combine lettuce, celery, onions, parsley and torn basil, arrange on a platter.
• Combine dressing ingredients (EVOO, vinegar, dried herbs and spices, sugar or honey and lemon juice) in squirt bottle, small jar or bowl, then season with salt and pepper to combine.
• Slice the peppers into strips, quarter the artichoke hearts, thinly slice the hot cherry peppers. Arrange the vegetables and olives on the bed of salad. Shake up dressing and top evenly over salad to serve.

ZUCCHINI PIZZA BOATS

Steps:

• Place a rack in the center of your oven. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly coat a rimmed baking sheet or 9x13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray.
• Halve each zucchini lengthwise. With a small spoon or melon baller, gently scrape out the center zucchini flesh and pulp, leaving a border of about 1/3 inch on all sides. Arrange the zucchini shells on the baking sheet. Sprinkle the insides of the zucchini with salt.
• Spoon the pizza sauce into each shell, dividing it evenly. You may need a little more or less, depending upon the size of your zucchini. Put a generous amount, but don't feel like you need to fill it all the way to the very top.
• Sprinkle the mozzarella over the top, then evenly sprinkle with Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes (if using). Scatter on the pepperoni and any other desired toppings. Last, sprinkle with Parmesan.
• Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until the cheese is hot and bubbly and the zucchini is tender. If desired, switch the oven to broil and cook the zucchini for 2 to 3 additional minutes, until the cheese is lightly browned. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with chopped fresh basil. Serve immediately.