Zucchini Stuffed with Italian Sausage

Portion Size: 1 medium (1/2 cup meat)

Ingredients: Yields: 8 servings

Ingredients Notes: 
4 medium zucchini
1 pound lean ground beef
1 pound lean bulk Italian Sausage (sweet or spicy)
1 small onion Washed, peeled and chopped
1 teaspoon fennel
2 teaspoons dried basil
1/2 teaspoon ground oregano
3 gloves fresh garlicMinced
2 eggs
1 cup dried bread crumbs
1 (15 oz) tomato sauce
1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
2 teaspoon sugar
1 cup Mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup Parmesan

Directions:

Steps:Directions: Critical Control Point /Quality Assurance
1Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2Spray a large baking dish with non stick cooking spray.
3Cut zucchini in half lengthwise.
4With a spoon, scoop out the seeds.
5Chop seeds and save.
6In a large bowl, mix together ground beef, sausage, chopped onion, bread crumbs, eggs and the zucchini seeds.
7Scoop meat mixture equally into all the zucchini halves into the prepared baking dish.
8In a bowl, stir together fennel, basil, oregano, garlic, tomato sauce, tomato paste, and sugar.
9Spoon tomato mixture over filled zucchini.
10Bake in oven for 1 hour.Cook until internal temperature reaches 165 F. 
11Remove from oven.
12Top with cheese.
13Return to oven and bake for 10 minutes.

Jacqueline Larson M.S., R.D.N. and Associates