Drop Dead Delicious Stuffed Zucchini Food

STUFFED ZUCCHINI WITH PARMESAN

Steps:

• 1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Cut the zucchini in half lengthwise and use a small spoon to scoop out the seeds, forming a shallow cavity. Finely grated one of the seeded zucchini into a bowl, salt and set aside. Liberally sprinkle the other zucchini shells with salt and place cut-side down on paper towels while preparing the filling.
• 2. Melt 3 tablespoons butter in small skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and pepper and cook, stirring often, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook 1 minute longer. Lightly squeeze the grated zucchini to remove the excess moisture and add to the onions and peppers. Cook until the mixture dries slightly. Remove from the heat, stir in the panko, cheese, and thyme. Season with salt and pepper. Cool slightly.
• 3. Wipe the salt from the zucchini and dry as thoroughly as possible with paper towels. Divide the filling among the zucchini halves, mounding them slightly down the center. Place on a lightly oiled baking sheet and bake until the zucchini softened and the tops brown, about 20 minutes. Carefully transfer zucchini to a platter and serve warm or at room temperature.

ITALIAN STUFFED ZUCCHINI

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and line a small baking dish with foil. Scoop out the seeds from the zucchini, leaving a 1/4-inch-thick shell.
• Combine the ricotta, 1/4 cup Italian cheese blend, the parsley, capicola and lemon zest and juice in a medium bowl. Season the zucchini with salt and pepper, then fill with the ricotta mixture.
• Drizzle each zucchini half with about 1 tablespoon marinara sauce, then sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 cup Italian cheese blend. Transfer to the baking dish and bake until the cheese is melted and bubbling, about 20 minutes.

STUFFED ZUCCHINI

Steps:

• Slice zucchini in half lengthwise. Scoop out insides leaving about 1/4-in shell.
• Finely chop zucchini pulp; set aside. Saute onion in oil in large heavy skillet. Add mushrooms, garlic and reserved chopped zucchini; cook over medium heat until most of moisture evaporates.
• Add cream cheese, egg, Parmesan, parsley, and pepper.
• Mix well; cook for about 10 minutes.
• Cool filling slightly and fill zucchini shells.
• Sprinkle with additional Parmesan cheese. Place on jelly roll pans; bake for 30 minutes at 350°F until bubbly and golden brown on top.

STUFFED ZUCCHINI

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 475 degrees F.
• Combine the rice with the beef, lemon zest and juice, 1/2 cup tomato sauce, 1/4 cup parsley, the basil, pine nuts and garlic in a medium bowl. Season with a 4-finger pinch of salt and a generous amount of pepper. Mix with a fork until well combined; set aside.
• Scoop out the flesh from the zucchini with a melon baller or teaspoon, leaving a 1/4-inch-thick shell. Reserve the scooped-out flesh. Cut the zucchini boats crosswise into 2-inch pieces.
• Combine the reserved zucchini flesh with the onions and tomatoes in a large cast-iron or heavy ovenproof skillet. Season with salt and pepper, drizzle with oil and toss. Add the remaining 1/2 cup tomato sauce and toss again.
• Using your hands or a small spoon, gently stuff each zucchini shell with about 2 tablespoons of the meat filling, pressing to carefully pack it in. Nestle the stuffed zucchini into the vegetables in the skillet and drizzle with oil.
• Bake until the vegetables are soft and the meat is cooked through, about 25 minutes. Garnish with grated Parmesan and the remaining 1/4 cup parsley. Enjoy!

STUFFED ZUCCHINI

Steps:

• Cook whole zucchini in boiling water about 10 minutes, or until tender.
• Cut in half lengthwise.
• Scoop out centers, leaving a 1/4-inch shell; chop center portion and set aside.
• Melt butter in a large skillet; saute mushrooms about 3 minutes or until tender.
• Stir in flour& oregano; remove from heat.
• Stir in Monterey Jack cheese and pimento; stir in the reserved chopped zucchini.
• Heat mixture through.
• Preheat broiler.
• Fill zucchini shells, using approximately 1/4 cup filling for each.
• Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
• Broil several inches from source of heat for 3 to 5 minutes or until hot and bubbly.
• NOTE: Stuffed zucchini may be assembled in advance, covered and refrigerated up to 4 hours.
• Broil for 5 to 7 minutes instead of 3 to 5.

STUFFED ZUCCHINI (ZAPALLITOS RELLENOS)

Steps:

• Bake the zucchini in a preheated 375 degree F oven for 30 minutes, until soft but not mushy.
• Set aside to cool.
• Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a skillet over moderate heat and saute the onion until a golden brown.
• Combine the 3/4 C bread crumbs, milk, egg, cooked onion, salt, and pepper in a bowl, stirring to combine.
• Slice the zucchini in two lengthwise and scoop out the pulp.
• Chop the pulp coarsely and stir into the bread crumb mixture.
• Fill the zucchini shells with the mixture.
• For the topping, combine the 1/4 C bread crumbs and butter and sprinkle over the zucchini.
• Bake in a preheated 375 degree F oven until the topping is golden brown, about 25 minutes.