When Mom is home alone.

The Man-of-My-Dreams is still working out of town.
The Young-Men-Folk are all out of town at the football game.
The Little-Foreman-in-Pink fell asleep watching Christmas movies.
What is a mother who is never EVER totally alone to do?
Cook and eat all the good foods that the men-folk wouldn't touch with a 10-foot pole of course!

Tonight that means I get to eat this wonderful dish with a nice glass of wine!
Tender zucchini stuffed with a savory meat filling and topped with gooey melted cheese.
Ummm excuse me while I wipe a tear from my eye.

It's a thing of beauty!!

A thing that no man on this farm would touch!
Maybe thats another reason I love it so much.

Dana's Stuffed Zucchini


Ingredients

4 medium zucchini
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 medium bell pepper, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
1/2 pound lean ground beef
1/2 pound Italian sausage (or just use 1lb ground beef)
1/2 teaspoon Oregano
salt & pepper
2 eggs
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
1/2 cup bread crumbs
2 cups Mozzarella cheese (or Gouda, provolone, etc)

Directions

1. wash zucchini, DO NOT CUT OFF the ENDS!, drop into a pot of cold water, Bring to a boil and boil for 6-7 minutes (depending on size of zucchini) until tender. remove from water and set aside to cool enough to handle.
2. meanwhile, in a skillet, saute; olive oil, garlic, onions & peppers. When the veggies begin to soften, add your ground beef and ground sausage, oregano and salt & pepper to taste. Brown until no longer pink.
3. Drain off any excess oil, set aside to cool slightly.
4. Slice zucchini lengthwise, and scoop out the seeds and some of the meat to create a zucchini "boat", invert the zucchini shells onto a paper towel to drain.
5. chop the scooped out zucchini meat and seeds and stir into meat mixture.
6. Mix bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese into the meat mixture, then add the eggs, blend well.
7. fill the zucchini "boats" with meat mixture. and top with mozzarella cheese.
   
8. In a baking dish, Bake uncovered in a 375 F degree oven for 20-30 minutes until hot and the cheese is bubbly.
9. Enjoy!