Zucchini Harvest Boats& Zucchini Rollatini Appetizer

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Well, it’s time to harvest the zucchini! If you’ve been following Remedy Recipes, you have seen some of my prior recipes using grilled zucchini & shredded zucchini, (using the ever-more-popular Veggetti!!!) This month, I present to you some interesting ideas using this versatile vegetable!

Zucchini Harvest Boats

Ingredients:
– 2 medium zucchini (green or yellow)
– 1/2 pound Nature’s Promise Italian chicken or turkey sausage, (available at Stop n Shop)
– 2 tbsp crushed pecans
– 1 tbsp olive oil
– Olive oil cooking spray, (I use Nature’s Promise, available at Stop n Shop)
– 1 teaspoon finely minced oregano
– 4 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
– 2 teaspoons minced garlic
– 1/2 cup diced onion
– 1/2 cup diced roasted red pepper, (jarred & marinated is fine.)

Instructions:
– Cut both zucchini in half, lengthwise, creating 4 halves.
– Scoop out the flesh of the zucchini using a tablespoon, creating a boat-like container to be stuffed.
– Pre-cook the 1/2 pound Italian chicken or turkey sausage for five minutes in a pan or on the grill until golden brown.
– Mince the cooked sausage into very small pieces. (Or, grind if you have a meat grinder.)
– Mince the scooped zucchini flesh, removing as many seeds as possible.
– In a large bowl, mix the minced scooped zucchini flesh with the minced sausage, 1 tbsp olive oil, 2 teaspoons minced garlic, 1/2 cup diced onion, & 1/2 cup diced roasted red pepper.
– Spray a large cooking pan with olive oil spray and heat on low. Place the mixture in the pan and sauté for 4- 5 minutes on low temperature.
– Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
– Mix the 2 tbsp of crushed pecans into the sausage mixture.
– Place the 4 zucchini boats into a baking dish, and fill each one evenly with the mixture.
– Top each with a tbsp of grated Parmesan, and an equal portion of minced oregano.
– Bake for about 25-30 minutes. Let cool for 1 minute & serve.

Zucchini Rollatini Appetizer (2 versions, Sausage & Provolone, or Crabmeat & Lime)

Ingredients:

Sausage & Provolone Zucchini Rollatini
– 2 medium zucchini
– 1 tbsp minced basil
– 1 chicken or turkey sausage link
– 4 thin slices of provolone
– olive oil

Instructions:
– Make thin ribbon slices of the zucchini with a vegetable peeler.
– lightly coat the sliced zucchini with olive oil & grill until grill marks appear on both sides.
– pre-cook sausage link (sauté or grill- see above recommendation), and slice into thin, lengthwise strips
– Divide the thinly cut sausage evenly on the zucchini slices.
– slice the provolone into thin lengthwise strips
– Divide the the provolone on top of the thinly cut sausage.
– top evenly with the minced basil
– Roll and secure with a toothpick, & serve.

Crabmeat & Lime Zucchini Rollatini
– 2 medium zucchini
– 14 oz. package of imitation crabmeat (Alaskan Pollack & King Crab)
– olive oil
– 1 cup baby leaf spinach leaves
– 1 lime
– 2 tbsp minced scallion

Instructions:
– Make thin ribbon slices of the zucchini with a vegetable peeler.
– Lightly coat the sliced zucchini with olive oil & grill until grill make appear on both sides.
– Lay baby leaf spinach evenly upon the zucchini slices.
– Chop the imitation crabmeat into cubes and place evenly on the spinach leaves.
– Sprinkle the 2 tbsp minced scallion evenly over the crabmeat.
– Cut and squeeze 1/2 the lime over the mixture.
– Roll and secure with a toothpick.
– Squeeze the other 1/2 of the lime over the zucchini rollatinis, & serve.

The Zucchini Harvest Boats may be used as a Meal 4 recipe on the Remedy Recipes Book format. Portions: 1 boat for women, 2 boats for men. It’s really a tasty meal that in some way mimics a stuffed pepper. From harvest to table, it’s a fun meal to prepare with children too! A side salad may be added to this meal as well.

The Zucchini Rollatini Appetizers are a perfect, healthy appetizer to bring along to any BBQ or party for any season! Bring this one along to your Labor Day events this upcoming weekend! I don’t list portions for this one. As an appetizer, it’s an easy finger-food to give you a healthy option to have in moderation at a party!

Mangiare, Piaccia! Eat, Enjoy!