Vegetarian Greek Stuffed Zucchini Recipes

VEGETARIAN GREEK STUFFED ZUCCHINI

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375*F.
• Lightly oil a baking sheet.
• Slice the zucchini in half lengthwise.
• With a paring knife, score the flesh about 1/2 inch deep.
• Place the cut sides down on the baking sheet.
• Sprinkle with the sherry and cover with foil.
• Bake for about 20 minutes, until yielding but still firm.
• While the zucchini bakes, make the sauce.
• Heat the oil in a saucepan, add the onions and garlic, and saute for about 10 minutes, until the onions are translucent.
• Add the tomato paste, tomatoes, oregano, cinnamon, and sherry.
• Then bring to a boil; reduce the heat and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes.
• Add the salt and pepper to taste.
• Cover and set aside.
• While the sauce is simmering, prepare the filling.
• Saute the onions and garlic in the oil for about 10 minutes, until the onions are translucent.
• In a bowl, combine the sauteed onions with the walnuts, feta, currants, and lemon juice.
• Stir in the rice.
• When the zucchini is tender, use a spoon to scoop out the flesh, leaving a thin 1/4 inch shell.
• Chop the flesh and add it to the filling.
• Mound the filling in the shells and sprinkle with seasoned bread crumbs and olive oil, if desired.
• Bake, uncovered, for about 10 to 15 minutes.
• To serve, ladle some of the tomato sauce onto each plate.
• Place a stuffed zucchini on the sauce and top with grated feta.
• Garnish with oregano leaves, if you wish.
• Enjoy!

GREEK STUFFED ZUCCHINI

Steps:

• Place rice in a bowl, cover with water, and allow to soak for 1 hour.
• Slice a long, 1/2-thick slice from the side of each zucchini to serve as a lid; hollow out the flesh and seeds from the inside of the zucchini with a spoon, leaving a 1/2-inch thick shell. Discard the flesh, or save for another use. Drain, and place the soaked rice in a bowl. Mix in the ground beef, shallots, garlic, mint, and parsley. Stuff the zucchini boats about 3/4 full with the mixture; stuffing will expand during cooking. Cover the zucchini with the cut-off lid slices.
• Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, and sprinkle the pan with salt and pepper. Place the stuffed zucchini into the pan, pour water around the zucchini, then reduce heat to medium low. Cover with a lid, and cook until the zucchini are tender and the meat is no longer pink, 35 to 40 minutes.
• About 10 minutes before the zucchini are done, beat the egg whites in a bowl with an electric mixture until stiff peaks form. Whisk in the yolks and lemon juice until well combined. Remove the zucchini from the skillet, leaving the juices, and set the zucchini aside in a warm place. Whisk about 1/2 of the liquid in the skillet into the egg mixture by tablespoons, then pour the egg mixture into the skillet with the remaining liquid. Over low heat, combine the sauce with the pan liquid by gently rotating the skillet to mix the contents; heat the sauce for about 1 minute to thicken enough to coat the back of a spoon. Do not boil. Serve the zucchini with lemon sauce.