Summer is just wrapping up in Rhode Island, which means every gardener that you know has an abundance of Zucchini & Summer Squash.
Stop wasting your time spiralizing this versatile vegetable ((my daughter would argue that it is a hidden fruit, and while you can turn them into a brownie and tasty quick bread- I still say they are a vegetable))
A few of my favorite ladies gathered a few weekends ago in Jamestown at Grammie Annies house. ((Do you have a friends‘ parent that you love like your own? That’s this lady. She is the kindest soul, and has put up with all of our crazy antics for almost 20 years. My daughter loves her like another Grandmother and she gives the greatest hugs. Everyone needs a Grammie Annie in their lives))
Anywho- her yard, garden, property- it is all gorgeous, and she has produced some of the largest zucchini I have ever seen. When leaving she passed this off to me and I started thinking of allll the amazing things I could make with this giant vegetable ((hidden fruit)).
Ingredients::
1 Extra Jumbo or two regular sized Zucchini’s
1/2 Vadalia Onion Chopped
1 Head of Fresh Garlic Chopped
2-4 Peppers Chopped
1 Lb of Ground Turkey (or Beef)
1 Tbl Butter
Olive Oil
1 Tbl Garlic Powder
1 Tbl Onion Powder
1 tsp Italian Season
1 tsp Dried Thyme
Your favorite Jarred Sauce
Shredded Italian Cheese
Directions::
Preheat Oven to 425*
Slice Zucchini in half and scoop out the insides ((save these for later!))
Drizzle sliced zucchini with olive oil and sprinkle with 1/2 of each spice ((you will use the rest while cooking your meat))
Bake Empty Zucchini Boats for 15 Minutes ((Flipping them over half way through))
Sautee Onions & Garlic in olive oil until translucent
Add chopped Peppers and allll the garlic ((yesss I added a whole head of garlic)) sauté for 2 minutes
Add butter and Ground Turkey or Beef and brown over medium high heat for 5 - 7 minutes
Add your remaining seasoning & the Zucchini pulp, and cook down
Add 1 Cup of your favorite jarred sauce to the meat mix ((I use Aldi Tomato Basil - clean ingredients and no added sugar))
Take your boats out of the oven, add mixture and top with cheese
Bake for an additional 10 - 15 minutes until cheese is melty
Serve with your favorite pasta! H loves tortellini; since they are quick cooking, I sauté onions and garlic in butter until translucent, then add the tortellini, 1 cup of water boil it down. When most the water has boiled down- add a Tbl of butter.
This also turns into a great rollover meal. Chop up the remaining zucchini mix with pasta, more sauce, and extra cheese; and bake.
Enjoy two meals with one recipe!!
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