Light Stuffed Zucchini Food

CRISPY STUFFED ZUCCHINI

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Spray a baking tray or sheet with non stick cooking oil spray.
• Arrange zucchini halves, cut side up, on the baking sheet. Set aside.
• Mix together the breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, parsley and garlic in a small bowl.
• Pour in the melted butter, season with ¾ teaspoon salt and ⅓ teaspoon pepper (or to taste). Mix the ingredients together until the breadcrumbs absorb the butter (about 40 seconds).
• Spoon the mixture over each zucchini half, to evenly cover. Spray the topping with a little cooking oil spray.
• Bake for 20 minutes in the hot oven until the crust is golden and the zucchini halves are cooked through.
• Broil for a further 5 minutes on medium heat to crisp the topping.
• Garnish with parsley and serve as a side accompaniment to any main dish.

HERB-STUFFED ZUCCHINI

Steps:

• Split 2 medium zucchini and scoop out the seeds; season with salt. Combine 1/3 cup panko breadcrumbs, 1 chopped tomato, 1/4 cup mixed chopped parsley and dill, 2 tablespoons chopped walnuts, 1 minced garlic clove, 2 tablespoons olive oil, and salt and pepper to taste. Spoon into the zucchini; drizzle with olive oil. Bake at 425 degrees F, 25 to 30 minutes.

STUFFED ZUCCHINI BLOSSOMS

Steps:

• Prepare the zucchini blossoms for stuffing by gently opening the leaves and pinching out the stamen inside each flower. Set the blossoms aside.
• For the filling, combine the ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, basil, lemon zest and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl and stir to combine. Transfer to a sandwich-size resealable plastic bag and snip a small corner from one point at the bottom.
• Open the leaves of a blossom and pipe in about 1 tablespoon of filling (don't overfill). Gently twist the top of the blossom to enclose the filling. Repeat with the remaining zucchini blossoms and filling.
• Pour about 1 inch of vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet and heat to 360 degrees F. (If you don't have an oil thermometer, you'll know the oil is ready if you drop in a scrap of bread and it sizzles on contact and begins to brown after a few seconds.) Line a baking sheet with paper towels.
• For the batter, whisk the flour, baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl. Whisk in the seltzer to make a smooth batter.
• When the oil is ready, dip the zucchini flowers in the batter one at a time, letting excess batter drip back into the bowl. Add as many as will fit in the skillet without crowding. Fry, turning once, until the batter is light, crisp and golden, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Remove with a slotted spoon to the lined baking sheet to drain and repeat with the remaining blossoms.
• Serve warm with marinara for dipping.

LIGHT STUFFED ZUCCHINI

Steps:

• Cut 6 zucchini in half lengthwise. Scoop out seeds if they are large.
• Blanch shell 8-10 minutes. Scoop out zucchini, leaving 1/2 inch shell. Chop zucchini that you scooped out.
• Chop remining zucchini into small cubes.
• Brown turkey, onion, green pepper, and chopped zucchini.
• Add all seasonings, bread crumbs, tomato paste, and half or the cheese.
• Stuff zucchini shells.
• Pour sauce over all, sprinkle on remaining cheese, and bake 30 minutes at 375°F.

STUFFED ZUCCHINI BOATS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400˚ F. Drizzle a rimmed baking sheet with 2 tablespoons olive oil. Season the zucchini halves with salt and pepper. Add to the baking sheet and turn to coat with the oil. Arrange the zucchini cut-side down in a single layer. Roast until crisp-tender, about 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook until translucent, about 4 minutes. Stir in the cumin and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper; cook 30 seconds. Add the turkey and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned, about 5 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste and chicken broth until combined. Cook until the broth is reduced to a thick sauce, 4 to 5 minutes.
• Turn the zucchini boats cut-side up and fill with the turkey mixture, packing it in. Sprinkle with the cheese and roast until the zucchini is tender and the cheese is softened, about 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, stir together the yogurt and lemon juice; season with salt and pepper. Drizzle the zucchini boats with the yogurt mixture and top with the dill.

STUFFED ZUCCHINI

Steps:

• Cut zucchini in half lengthwise. Scoop out seeds if they are large.
• Blanch shell 8-10 minutes. Scoop out zucchini, leaving 1/2 inch shell. Chop zucchini that you scooped out.
• Brown sausage, onion, and chopped zucchini.
• Add all seasonings, bread crumbs, and cheese.
• Stuff zucchini shells.
• Pour sauce over all and bake 30 minutes at 375°F.