I’m starting to build a repertoire of recipes that will feature the bounty of home-grown veggies I’m hoping to harvest this coming summer. It’s not too early to dream, is it? Zucchini is always a faithful producer in the garden, but often gets overlooked by summer’s end when creativity grows tired. Whet your tastebuds now for zucchini, and you will be more than eager to get those seeds in the ground in a few short months!
Stuffed Zucchini with Marinara
4 medium sized zucchini
1 lb. pork, or turkey sausage
1 egg
1 cup bread crumbs, w/ Italian seasonings
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 large jar of marinara sauce
1 package (approx. 16oz) dried whole wheat spaghetti*
Preheat oven to 350F. Cook spaghetti as directed; drain, and place in a 9×13 baking dish sprayed with non-stick cooking oil. Set aside.
Trim both ends of zucchini and slice in half lengthwise. Scoop or carefully cut out the seeds to form a “boat.” Dice up the seeds and put in bowl. Mix seeds with sausage, egg, garlic, bread crumbs, and parmesan cheese. Stuff squash with sausage mixture, and place each zucchini boat atop of cooked spaghetti. Pour sauce over squash and spaghetti and cover pan with foil.
Bake in preheated over for 1 hr. and 15 minutes, (a little less if you like your zucchini less cooked.) Remove foil, sprinkle with more parmesan if desired, and serve.
*For a healthy alternative, substitute spaghetti squash for the cooked spaghetti!
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Ruth, I can’t help but smile at how often what is going on in my life is the same as in other dear Christian sisters’ lives. We, too, are planning a large garden and I’m beginning to revamp my recipes to include more local foods (hopefully very local as in my garden). I’m so glad you and others have the skill to post your thoughts on such things. Thanks for sharing!
BTW, I picked up In Defense of Food at the Library yesterday. I’ve had so many people recommend it but it took your review to get me going.
Hugs!
Zucchini isn’t one of my favorite veggies, but this looks amazing. What else will you be growing this summer? I so wish we could have a garden but apparently it’s pointless at this altitude. Someday I want to have a small greenhouse though!
Even Number 2, who isn’t crazy about squash loved this…it’s the sausage mix! Gardens do good here, but you know the sun can be too harsh…sigh…urban homesteading dilemma.
Your food/meals always look wonderful.
We read Pollan’s Food Rules – great too, and a super quick read.
And the air plants/glass hanging balls….gorgeous!
I haven’t heard of Food Rules. Adding it to my list…
Okay, YUM! This sounds so good! Generally, I am with Number 2 on the squash option. However, I know it’s good for me, so I try to find clever ways to trick myself into eating it. This is a must try!
These look sooooo delish!
…And
uh…let me finish here…i must have hit enter too early!
…And, WOW!!! Your new site layout looks a-mazing! I’m really, really enthralled with it.
Ruth,
Marissa made this last week and it was a hit. We are making it without the pasta for our pre-Bible Study fellowship meal tonight. Yumm! Thanks for sharing. Hope your summer garden was wonderful this year.