Vegetable Stuffed Zucchini

I am in love with zucchini this year.

I’ve always liked it, but for some reason, this year’s crop is just fantastic. My supermarket gets produce from a local organic farm, and the locally grown, organic zucchini is more than worth the extra $.30 per pound it costs. It is so delicious.

This is just the first of many zucchini recipes you’ll see here on the blog over the course of the next few weeks (because not only have I been buying the stuff at an alarming rate, I was also gifted with four monstrous zucchini recently). As soon as I saw this recipe, I put it on our menu. I love stuffed zucchini but had never actually had a version that didn’t contain ground beef or sausage. But even without the meat, these were so flavorful and filling. Joe and I loved the taste, and Andrew loved the idea of eating his food out of a boat. Served with a simple salad, this stuffed zucchini was the perfect summer supper.

Vegetable Stuffed Zucchini
source: My Kitchen Café

4 medium zucchini (about 8 ounces each), washed

4 tablespoons olive oil

3 medium red potatoes (about 1 pound), cut into 1/2-inch cubes

1 medium yellow or red onion, chopped fine

5 large cloves garlic, finely minced

3 medium tomatoes (about 1 1/4 pounds), seeded and chopped

1/3 cup shredded fresh basil leaves

6 ounces Monterey Jack cheese (about 1 1/2 cups), shredded

1. Adjust one oven rack to upper-middle position and second oven rack to lowest position, then place a rimmed baking sheet on each rack and heat oven to 400 degrees.

2. Meanwhile, halve each zucchini lengthwise. With a small spoon, scoop out the seeds and most of the flesh so that the walls of the zucchini are about 1/4-inch thick all the way around. Season the cut sides of the zucchini with salt and pepper and brush them lightly with 2 tablespoons of the oil. Set the zucchini halves cut-side down on the hot baking sheet that has been preheating on the lower rack. Meanwhile, toss the potatoes with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil, salt, and pepper, to taste, in a small bowl and spread in a single layer on the hot baking sheet that has been preheating on the upper rack. Roast the zucchini until slightly softened and skins are slightly wrinkled, about 10 minutes, while simultaneously roasting the potatoes until they are tender and lightly browned, 12 to 14 minutes. When the zucchini has finished baking, remove it from the oven and using tongs, flip the zucchini halves over on the baking sheet and set aside.

3. While the zucchini and potatoes are roasting, heat the remaining tablespoon oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium heat until shimmering, about 2 minutes. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and beginning to brown, about 10 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the tomatoes and cooked potatoes; cook, stirring occasionally, until heated through, about 3 minutes. Off the heat, stir in the basil, 1/2 cup cheese, and salt and pepper to taste.

4. Divide filling evenly among the zucchini halves on the baking sheet, spooning about 1/2 cup into each, and packing it lightly; sprinkle with remaining cheese. Return the baking sheet to the oven, this time to the upper rack, and bake the zucchini until heated through and cheese is spotty brown, about 6 minutes. Serve immediately.