Overstuffed Zucchini Food

STUFFED ZUCCHINI

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400ºF.
• Cut zucchini lengthwise in half; scoop out centers onto cutting board, leaving 1/8-inch-thick shells. Place shells in 13x9-inch baking dish.
• Chop zucchini flesh. Melt 1 Tbsp. butter in large skillet on medium-high heat. Add onions and chopped zucchini; cook and stir 3 min. or until onions are crisp-tender. Add tomatoes and bacon; cook 2 min. Stir in cheese. Spoon into zucchini shells.
• Melt remaining butter in same skillet. Add panko crumbs; cook and stir 3 min. or until golden brown. Sprinkle over filled shells.
• Bake 15 min. or until heated through.

OVERSTUFFED PATTYPAN SQUASH

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 400 degrees F. Put a half sheet pan in the oven to heat for 15 minutes.
• Trim the woody ends and halve the squash crosswise. Scoop out the squash seeds, leaving a 1/2-inch shell. Reserve the flesh. Brush the cut sides of the squash with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil, and season with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper. Arrange the squash, cut side down, onto the preheated pan and roast until the squash is tender and the flesh side is browned, about 15 minutes. Transfer the squash to a serving platter and set aside.
• Meanwhile, finely chop the reserved squash flesh. Heat a 10-inch cast iron skillet over medium heat and add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. When the oil shimmers add the chopped squash, shallot, garlic, remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until tender and browned, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add the corn, limas, pecans, and thyme. Cook until heated through, approximately 1 minute. Divide the stuffing evenly among the cooked squash and serve immediately.

OVERSTUFFED ZUCCHINI

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add zucchini, whole, and cook until almost soft, 10 to 12 minutes. Drain and allow to cool until easily handled, about 10 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a baking pan.
• Slice cooked zucchini lengthwise, removing the top third. Scoop out the pulp and transfer to a strainer. Pat pulp dry with a paper towel and transfer to a bowl. Add Monterey Jack cheese, cottage cheese, all but 1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese, 1/4 cup bread crumbs, butter, sour cream, garlic, Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper, salt, and black pepper. Mix to combine.
• Spoon mixture into zucchini boats and place on the prepared baking pan. Sprinkle tops with remaining Parmesan and bread crumbs.
• Bake in the preheated oven until heated through and cheese is melted, 15 to 20 minutes. Turn on broiler and continue cooking until tops are golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes more.

ZUCCHINI & GROUND BEEF-STUFFED PEPPERS ITALIANO

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400°F.
• Brown meat with onions in large skillet on medium heat; drain. Stir in 1/2 cup tomato sauce, zucchini, rice, oregano and basil.
• Cut tops off peppers; remove and discard seeds. Pour remaining tomato sauce and water into 13x9-inch baking dish; stir. Place peppers in baking dish; fill with meat mixture. Cover.
• Bake 35 to 40 min. or until peppers are tender. Top with cheese; bake, uncovered, 5 to 7 min. or until melted. Serve peppers topped with sauce from bottom of baking dish.

OVER-STUFFED ZUCCHINI

Steps:

• Lop off the ends of each zucchini and slice in half lengthwise.
• Scoop out the middle (pulp) with a spoon leaving 1/4 inch on the bottom and sides of the zucchini halves.
• Chop the pulp and reserve.
• Brown beef and pork.
• Saute onions and mushrooms until soft.
• Combine the two mixtures and set aside.
• Blend spinach, tomatoes, zucchini pulp, bread cubes, parmesan cheese, egg, garlic, italian seasoning and red pepper flakes.
• Add this to the meat, onion and mushroom mixture.
• Equaly divide between the zucchini halves.
• Top with mozzerella.
• Place in 2 large baking dishes with 1/4 cup of water each.
• Cover with aluminum foil.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes, then uncover and bake for 20 min longer or until zucchini is tender and cheese is browned and bubbly.

STUFFED ZUCCHINI

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 F degrees.
• In a skillet, add the ground beef and cook until it's no longer pink. Add the cumin, salt and pepper to it and stir well. Add the chorizo sausage and spaghetti sauce and cook for another 5 minutes, over medium heat.
• Wash and cut the zucchini lengthwise. Using a spoon, scoop out the flesh.
• Fill each zucchini half with some of the meat mixture. Top with shredded cheddar cheese, feta and tomatoes.
• Bake for 15 minutes.

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!

INTERNATIONAL STUFFED ZUCCHINI

Steps:

• Cut each zucchini in half lengthwise; cut a thin slice from the bottoms so they sit flat. Scoop out pulp, leaving 1/4-in. shells. Place zucchini shells in a small microwave- and oven-safe dish. Cover and microwave on high for 3 minutes or until crisp-tender; drain and set aside. , In a large cast-iron or other heavy skillet over medium heat, cook beef and garlic until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in the Havarti cheese, 1/2 cup feta cheese, basil, salt and pepper. , Fill zucchini with meat mixture. Bake at 400° for 15 minutes. Top with remaining feta; bake 5 minutes longer or until zucchini is tender and cheese is melted.

BEEF STUFFED ZUCCHINI

Steps:

• Cut zucchini in half lengthwise; cut a thin slice from the bottom of each so they sit flat. Scoop out pulp, leaving a 1/4 inch shell.
• Place shells in an ungreased 13x9 microwave safe dish (or any size that will fit all four pieces - mine is round). Turn off turntable setting on microwave (I remove the turntable).
• Cover dish and microwave on HIGH for 3 minutes or until crisp tender; drain and set aside.
• In a large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink and broken up well; drain.
• Remove skillet from heat and stir in egg, marinara sauce, bread crumbs, salt, pepper and 1/2 cup cheese.
• Spoon about a 1/4 cup into each shell. Microwave, uncovered, on HIGH for 4 minutes.
• Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup cheese then microwave for 3-4 minutes longer until thermometer inserted into filling read 160°F.
• Serve with warmed up marinara sauce for each serving for dipping.

ZUCCHINI STICKS

Steps:

• Heat oil in a deep saucepan to 350°F. (You should have about 2 inches of oil.)
• On a wide deep plate, whisk together the flour, salt, and pepper.
• On a second plate, whisk together the egg and the water.
• On a third plate, whisk together bread crumbs and parmesan cheese.
• Dredge the zucchini sticks first in the flour mixture, then the egg, and finally the breadcrumb mixture.
• Working in batches, add the 5-6 zucchini sticks to the heated oil and cook for 3 minutes (or until golden brown). Set on a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Serve warm, dipped in marinara sauce.

OVER STUFFED ZUCCHINI

Steps:

• 1. Preheat oven to 425 Wash, dry zucchini, slice off both ends. Lay wood spoons either side of zucchini
• 2. carefully make 1/4" slices, making sure your knife hits the spoon handles so you don't slice Completely through
• 3. Place zucchini on parchment lined baking sheet and bake until pliable, about 10 min brown bacon and drain, break off pieces of bacon and place between each slice.
• 4. Top zucchini with shredded cheese and bake 10-15 additional min till cheese has browned slightly
• 5. Let cool slightly then top with sour cream and bacon bits, chives and serve