Italian Sausage-Stuffed Zucchini

Zucchini prevails.

In gardens nationwide, the ubiquitous squash is happily growing, blossoming, and then growing some more, spawning squashes that run the spectrum of deliciousness from simple, stewed squash to chocolate chip zucchini bread or chocolate zucchini cake.... or the lemon bread we've made with zucchini, so good!

But today's post is a meal in a dish. 

All y'all (in Yankee speak that would the 'the lot o' youse') know how much we love a meal in a dish and this one can be prepared early in the day and then baked later OR microwave it..... and spare the heat in the kitchen.

This was easy, delicious and low-carb, so we added a Sister Shubert's roll! (laughing, because I do love my bread!!!!)

Now on the farm, we sell zucchinis and summer squash and all kinds of delicious veggies, and growing them on that scale can be a pain.... they attract disease. Like intentionally.... We had nearly 6 inches of rain in 8 days, two separate storm systems and besides the fact that an overly generous amount of water blocks roots from sending essential nutrients to the plant, making the plant Very Angry, it also leaves the plant open to invasive fungi, bacteria, blights, etc, etc, etc, .....

Farmer Dave has a term he uses. "In a normal year..."

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!! There is no such thing in general terms because there are always things that pop up to create some sort of havoc. Veggies by their very nature are an invitation to rabbits, woodchucks, deer to join in a buffet of tender delights. Farmer Dave is not happy with these uninvited guests. As you can imagine..... 

But let's get back to this delicious meal. The squash bottom is a perfect accompaniment to the one-dish stuffing.... And makes a great presentation.

Stuffed Zucchini

3 8" or so Zucchini

3 Italian sausage links (cooked)

1 Cup cooked rice

1-2 tomatoes, peeled and chopped

1/2 Green pepper, chopped

1 Tablespoon minced or chopped onion

1/4 Cup Parmesan Cheese

Pepper (to taste)

Shredded mozzarella

Wash and slice zucchini in half the long way..... then scoop out seed area with a spoon. Discard the seeds.

Chop sausage, green pepper and tomatoes.  I used dried onion but fresh onion is fine... chop and toss in!

Add to rice, cheese and pepper. 

Microwave zucchini "boats", on a plate and wrapped with plastic wrap. I found about 4 minutes softened the zucchini enough to minimize the finishing time.

Fill the zucchini hollows with the stuffing. Top with shredded mozzarella cheese. Bake at 350 for about 20 minutes. Or microwave for two minutes, rest thirty seconds, then two minutes more. 

I like the baked version best, but when the temps are north of ninety, I'm not opposed to the microwave quick option!

We all loved this.... and the farmer isn't a great zucchini lover, but he really liked this combo.

And Mandy jumped in on rebuilding our roadside veggie stand and finished it yesterday... and there was some whooping and hollering when that happened, believe me! Joy in the kingdom!!!!

Years ago I bought a 5th wheel base, so turning that somewhat uninspired base into a roadside stand wasn't easy and I messed up and had Mandy and Paul "tilt" the table.   But then we realized that when it's near the road, the incline made the back of the table pretty inaccessible for people my size... OOPS!!!! So we broke it down, repurposed the same old lumber we've used for 30 years, and with elbow grease, ingenuity, power tools, new carriage bolts, fresh paint, old fencing and one (1) new 4 x 4, WE DID IT!!!!!!!! 

I can't wait to hang some wind chimes from the top, add some touches of whimsy and Americana, and do veggie displays! Yay!!!!!!

So that's what kept us busy this week.... what's your week been like? 

Multi-published bestselling author Ruth Logan Herne puts on her farm hat in May and keeps it in place for months while she works side-by-side with a great bunch of family and friends to create a fun, family-friendly farm that makes people smile. With nearly sixty published novels and novellas, Ruthy loves both sides of her life and often combines the two in story. Visit her website ruthloganherne.com and/or email her at loganherne@gmail.com. She'd love to hear from you!