Giant Zucchini

If you garden and grow zucchini, then you have probably picked a few that are the size of small baseball bats and wondered what on earth to do with them.  I neglected to cut my zucchini for a few days and wound up with about a dozen that were gigantic!  I gave several to my neighbors and some go Gennifer.  But I still had the largest ones that I had to use. 

Last summer I made bunches of zucchini bread.  I also grated several of the larger zucchinis and froze them the shredded veggies to use later.  I used them in spaghetti sauces, bread, meatloaf, etc.  But I had been wanting to try stuffing the large zucchini.  Tonight I quickly threw one together.  I had purchased a pound of pork sausage today at the grocery store.  You could use turkey sausage, or ground beef or turkey too.  I sauteed a little bit of onion, then added the sausage to the pan and browned it.

While that was browning, I sliced one of the zucchini in half lengthwise.  Then using a large spoon, I scooped out the entire center.  Leaving a well to hold the sausage mixture.  Salt and pepper the zucchini at this point.

Oh, before I forget to tell you, turn your oven on to about 400 degrees to preheat.  Once the sausage had browned, I added a frozen pouch of rice.  I buy this at Trader Joe's in the a box that holds several bags of rice. 

I added a cup or so of water and turned the heat up until it reduced some.  If I had any corn, I would have added that too.  I think it needed color.  So next time I will add more veggies.  And I was even thinking that making a meat sauce like I do for spaghetti would be a great way to fill these zucchini boats too.  So, once the mixture has absorbed most of the water, pour your filling into the zucchini boats.

Top with cheese.

Bake with sheet of foil on top for about 30 minutes, then turn the oven down to 350 and uncover and let finish for another 30 minutes or until zucchini is fork tender.

This was so good.  You could fill them any way you like.  Meat sauce, rice and veggie mix, sausage, etc.  Endless possibilities.  So if you are finding yourself with gigantic zucchini that you don't know what to do with, this is a delicious way to use them.
Bon Appetit!