Zucchini Stuffed with Lamb and Mint

* Exported from MasterCook *

Zucchini Stuffed with Lamb and Mint

Recipe By : Molto Mario
Serving Size : 1 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : New Text Import

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
4 medium zucchini
4 tablespoons virgin olive oil
1 medium Spanish onion -- finely chopped
4 cloves garlic -- thinly sliced
1 pound ground lamb -- crumbled
2 eggs
1 bunch fresh mint leaves, picked but -- left whole
1 cup basic tomato sauce
1/2 cup fresh bread crumbs
BASIC TOMATO SAUCE
1 Spanish onion -- cut in 1/4" dice
4 cloves garlic -- thinly sliced
3 ounces virgin olive oil
4 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
1/2 carrot -- shredded finely
2 28 ounce can tomatoes -- crushed and mixed
Salt to taste

To Make Tomato Sauce: Saute onion and garlic in olive oil over medium heat for
about 10 minutes, or until translucent but not browned. Add thyme and carrot,
cook 5 minutes over medium heat and add tomatoes. Bring to boil, lower heat to
just bubbling and simmer 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season with salt to
taste and set aside.

To Make Stuffed Zucchini: Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

Trim zucchini and cut in half lengthwise. Using a spoon or a melon baller,
remove a canal down center of each zucchini half, leaving a 1/4-inch all around
and the ends
closed. Roughly chop the excess zucchini flesh and set aside.

In a 10- to 12-inch sautJ pan, heat olive oil until just smoking. Add onion and
garlic and cook over medium high heat until softened, about 6 to 7 minutes.
Add zucchini pieces and crumbled lamb and cook until lamb is cooked through,
about 10 minutes. Drain fat from lamb mixture and place in a large mixing bowl.
Add eggs, half of the mint leaves and tomato sauce and mix well. Season both
the mixture and the zucchini boats with salt and pepper. Stuff the lamb mixture
into zucchini boats and pile high. Place in an oven-proof baking dish just
large enough to hold the 8 pieces and sprinkle with bread crumbs. bake for 20
to 25 minutes until crisp on top and remove. Serve warm or at room temperature
with a chicory salad and sprinkle with remaining mint leaves.



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