Sausage and corn stuffed zucchini is one of those recipes I make only once or twice a year when the zucchini are in season and I’m not tired of them yet. Because we all know how fast that can happen when the zukes are arriving daily.
But I love this recipe because it removes the part of the vegetable that is my least favorite- the smushy inside -and leaves only the firm outside. Well, and plus the fact that it’s got sausage, corn, and cheese. Oh yeah.
Start with four small-to-medium size zucchinis. I cannot emphasize this enough: don’t let the zucchini get to the baseball-sized stage and then think they are good for anything but grating (and even then don’t grate the center with all the huge seeds). If you regularly pick the fruit at this stage- roughly the length of your hand- then you should not be swimming in zucchini, and it will be firm for kabobs, and grilling, and sauteing.
That’s not to say that there will never be one that “gets away from you” but they will be a lot fewer and then those can be grated – and used for scrumptious White Zucchini Cake, for instance…
Trim the ends and cut the zucchini in half, lengthwise.
Put face down in a shallow pan filled 1/4 full with boiling water and a bit of salt. Cover and steam-cook for 4 to 5 minutes only. Do not overcook or they will not be firm for filling.
While the zucchini steams, cook a pound of Italian sausage (I used hot and it gave it a nice spiciness) until browned. Add 1/4 cup chopped onion and cook another few minutes until opaque.
Remove the zucchini from the pan and allow to cool for a few minutes. Then scoop out the center evenly. I use a melon baller for this- it works like a charm. Don’t ask me why I have a melon baller. I don’t even like melons and neither do most of my family. But it sure comes in handy sometimes.
What do I do with the insides? If you’ve read here for awhile, I know you will be shocked to learn I happily throw them in the compost. I think I mentioned this is not my favorite part of the vegetable? If I had chickens, they would probably like them. Ah, one day…*sigh*
Add 1/3 cup (about 3 oz.) of cream cheese to the sausage, breaking it up and stirring until melted before adding 1-1/2 cups of corn kernels and stirring well.
Remove the pan from heat and gently stir in a chopped tomato and about a 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese. Really any cheese can be used here, I just like the flavor of Parmesan in this.
Place the zucchini in an oiled baking pan and fill each with the sausage mixture. Grate some more cheese over the top.
Bake in a 350 degree oven for 20 to 25 minutes.
PRINT
Sausage and Corn Stuffed Zucchini
- 4 small to medium zucchini, ends trimmed
- 1 lb. bulk Italian sausage
- 1/4 c. chopped onion
- 1/3 c. (3 oz.) cream cheese
- 1-1/2 c. corn kernels
- 1 lg. tomato, chopped
- 1 c. grated Parmesan, divided
- Fill a large, shallow pan 1/4 full with water and a bit of salt; bring to a boil. Cut each zucchini in half lengthwise and place face down in the water. Cover and cook 4 to 5 minutes only- until crisp-tender. Remove from pan and let cool.
- Meanwhile, cook sausage in a skillet until browned. Add onion, cook ’til opaque and then add cream cheese and corn, stirring until cheese is melted.
- Remove pan from heat and gently stir in tomato and 1/2 cup of the Parmesan cheese.
- Scoop out the center of each zucchini half and fill with the sausage mixture. Place the filled zucchini in an oiled baking pan.
- Sprinkle the remaining grated Parmesan over the filled zucchini. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 20 to 25 minutes.
Makes 6 to 8 servings
-Jami
This is linked to:
Tempt My Tummy Tuesday
Real Food Wednesday
I believe a cottage can be anywhere or anything (condo, ranch, farmhouse) as long as you have a "cottage mentality" which puts people above things, celebrates imperfections, embraces simplicity, and finds joy in everyday life. Thanks for joining me!
Very nice!
I think that combo for a filling sounds yummy.
This is like an Arabic staple, “koosa”, which uses ground lamb and rice. But it’s all good!
You know I think I could probably get my kids to eat zucchini if I served it this way. It looks delicious!
Yummy… I have some good sized patty pans that I think would work with this. Thanks!
This looks really tasty…and I LOVE zucchini.!!!! Thanks for thep printable-formate recipe, too!!! That’ll come in handy. Love and hugs from Oregon, Heather
this recipe is so up my alley! Hhhmmmm….. Very very delicious…. I’ll give it a try….. Thank you for this wonderful website……
Looks yummo~
I will have to try this one!
Thanks for sharing…
I am having a meme on Mondays
called “Celebrating The Harvest” for sharing recipes folk use to use up their garden veggies.
If you’d like to link up? You have great recipes!
Peace and Love,
Georgian