stuffed zucchini

i am always searching for new ways to offer zucchini as a side dish.  here is a great recipe for stuffed zucchini which takes less than one hour to prepare and bake.

preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  using a spoon or melon scoop, remove the center of the zucchini to form a canoe.  i used two zucchini for our family, but this recipe may be increased to feed a larger group.

par boil the zucchini for about 5-8 minutes depending on the size and thickness of your vegetables.

remove from the pot and place in a ceramic baking dish.  meanwhile, in a skillet, heat one chopped white onion and some chopped mushrooms with a small amount of olive oil.  cook until softened. 

mix these ingredients with a shredded cheese of your choice such as: mozzarella, Gruyere, or Swiss. mix along with shredded Parmesan and a small amount of panko breadcrumbs.

stuff the zucchini and bake until the top is lightly browned and cheese is melted.  this will take approximately 20 minutes.

stuffed zucchini are a wonderful side dish served with grilled chicken, fish, or even pasta dishes.  other options for this dish would include adding chopped grape or cherry tomatoes or diced red, yellow or green peppers.