Stuffed Zucchini
🕒 Prep Time: 15 min | 🕒 Cook Time: 30 min
🍽️ Servings: 4
Ingredients:
1 ½ lbs small zucchini
1 ½ cup fresh bread crumbs or Panko
¾ cup grated cheese (I usually use white cheddar)
¼ cup minced onion
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, minced
1 tablespoon fresh sage, minced
1 clove of garlic, minced (optional)
1 ¼ teaspoon pink himalayan salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Instructions:
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
Scrub zucchini well. Cut off ends and cook whole with 1 teaspoon salt in 1” or so of boiling water, covered, for about 5 to 7 minutes.
Remove zucchini and put in a large bowl filled with cold water for a few minutes until just warm to the touch. Remove from the bowl and pour out water.
Cut zucchini in half lengthwise, scoop out soft insides, and chop them into small bits. Place back in the bowl.
Combine with breadcrumbs and the rest of the ingredients except the butter and ¼ cup of cheese.
Pile mixture into the zucchini shells.
Melt butter and pour over the top.
Sprinkle with ¼ cup cheese.
Arrange zucchini in a large baking pan.
Bake, covered, for 30 minutes.
💚The Healthy Bit: Parsley 💚
Parsley is probably the most common culinary herb, yet most people see it as a garnish and not as containing a wide range of health benefits.
Firstly, parsley is packed with essential vitamins and minerals, including Vitamin K, Vitamin C, Vitamin A, folate, iron, and magnesium. These vitamins and minerals promote bone and heart health, and support liver detoxification, to name a few.
Parsley also contains antioxidants such as flavonoids and carotenoids, which help protect cells from oxidative damage caused by free radicals.
Parsley also assists digestive health as it contains antibacterial and antifungal properties that improve gut health and acts as a natural diuretic, promoting fluid elimination.
Note: While parsley offers many health benefits, it's important to consume it in moderation as part of a balanced diet. Consult a healthcare professional if you have any specific health concerns or before using parsley for medicinal purposes.
