Most self-respecting Italian-American cooks have a recipe for stuffed zucchini. It's a dish that's often hard to categorize, however. Is it an appetizer? A side dish? Can it function as a main course? This version, with veal, is a little heartier than most and can definitely be served as an entrée, but it can also function as a side dish or appetizer for a multicourse feast.
Recipe information
Yield
8 appetizer or side-dish servings; 4 main-dish servings
Ingredients
Preparation
Step 1
Preheat the oven to 375°F.
Step 2
Scoop out the insides of the zucchini halves with a small spoon. Reserve the cored halves and the insides.
Step 3
Heat the oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat and sauté for 1 to 2 minutes. Then add the mushrooms and sauté for 2 minutes more. Add the celery and the reserved insides of the zucchini and continue to cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the white wine and cook it down for 1 minute. Add the veal and cook, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon, until it browns nicely, approximately 8 minutes. Stir in the basil and the rosemary and cook for 1 to 2 minutes more. Remove from the heat, place in a bowl, and allow to cool.
Step 4
Once the mixture has cooled, blend in the cheese, egg, butter, salt, and pepper. Fill the cored zucchini with the mixture.
Step 5
Fill a baking pan with 1/4 inch of water. Place the filled zucchini halves in the pan and bake for 40 minutes, until golden brown. Remove the zucchini carefully from the pan to a warm platter, spooning the juices from the pan on top of them, and serve.
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