Make Me A Meal: Stuffed Zucchini

When a co-worker offers you a homegrown zucchini

**that dwarfs the size of a football**

you make stuffed zucchini

my way of paying homage to my late great grandpa

 

Growing up my mom would take my sister and I out to my Great Grandparent's farm

And I just remember how big his zucchini's were - compared to the little ones we used to get at our local farm - and just hoping that my mom would bring it home to make stuffed zucchini.

 

(I found out when asking my mom for the recipe for her stuffed zucchini that my great grandpa used to brag about how large he could grow them... apparently being not appropriate at all times runs in my family!)

 

 

It's one of those meals that will always take me back - regardless of how old I am!

As much as I enjoyed making this dish, I enjoyed walking down memory lane while cutting up the onions, mushrooms, and browning the sausage.. and I was giddy with excitement for it to be cooked so I could enjoy it!



1 homegrown, as big as a football zucchini
1 lb Italian Sausage (I used turkey sausage - out of the casing)
1 medium diced up onion
1 small package of mushrooms
2 cups of mozzarella cheese
1 can of diced tomatoes
Italian Bread crumbs
Garlic, Oregano, Salt and Pepper



Cut end off of the zucchini, and slice in half



Scoop out the middle of the zucchini with all of the seeds
Once the seeds have been removed, shell out a little more of the actual zucchini
and save for later to use in the stuffing
Microwave the zucchini for 10 minutes to give a head start on the cooking
(This will be the perfect amount of time for you to cook the stuffing)



Brown sausage, onion, mushrooms, and garlic



Add bread crumbs just enough so the stuffing is still tacky - and not too dry
Add 1 cup of mozzarella - and it will begin to melt
Season lightly with oregano, salt and pepper



Place stuffing inside the microwaved zucchini boats
Bake for 15 minutes on 350



Pull zucchini out of the oven and top with the remaining 1 cup of cheese



Place dish back in the oven but under the broiler
Until the cheese is golden brown


And ENJOY!

I hope you enjoy this meal as much as I did!
There is something special about making something that is so memorable from your childhood!