Pea Ricotta Stuffed Courgettes Recipes

PEA & RICOTTA STUFFED COURGETTES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F/gas 6.
• Pick the mint leaves into a food processor, then add the peas, ricotta and Cheddar. Finely grate in the lemon zest and squeeze in the juice, then add a pinch of black pepper and blitz until smooth. Taste and adjust the seasoning, if needed.
• Carefully fill each courgette flower with the mixture, then press and pat the petals back together to seal.
• Halve the tomatoes, trim and slice the spring onions and destone and tear the olives. Deseed and roughly chop the chilli, then peel and roughly chop the garlic. Put everything into a 25cm x 35cm roasting tray.
• Drizzle with 2 tablespoons each of oil and vinegar, then season with pepper and scrunch together well. Stir in the rice and 700ml of boiling water, then place over the hob and bring to the boil, stirring occasionally.
• Lightly push the courgettes into the rice, and bake at the bottom of the oven for 20 minutes, or until beautifully golden. Delicious with a summery salad and a glass of chilled dry white wine.

STUFFED COURGETTE ROLLS

Steps:

• Slice the courgettes lengthways, using a swivel vegetable peeler - you'll need 24 long strips. Drizzle some of the olive oil and balsamic over two large plates and lay the strips flat, trying not to overlap. Sprinkle with more oil and balsamic, cover and leave to marinate in the fridge for at least 20 mins. Can be prepared up to 6 hrs ahead.
• Mix the ricotta with lemon juice and seasoning to taste, then mix in the basil and pine nuts. Place 1 tsp of the ricotta mixture onto one end of a courgette strip and roll up. Repeat until you have used up all the filling. Arrange rolls upright on a plate and grind over some black pepper. Drizzle with a little more oil and balsamic vinegar to serve.