Recipe: Zucchini stuffed with Italian sausage

1½ hours. 4 to 6 servings

Olive oil

3 large zucchini (about ¾ pound each)

Salt

1 onion, diced

3 Italian sausages, removed from casing and crumbled

1/2 cup white wine

1 1/2 ounces Parmigiano-Reggiano, grated (about ¾ cup), divided

Freshly ground black pepper

1/3 cup fresh bread crumbs

1 egg, lightly beaten

2 cloves garlic, minced

3 cups chopped tomatoes, fresh or canned

2 tablespoons capers, rinsed

1. Heat the oven to 400 degrees. Grease a gratin dish large enough to hold the zucchini with olive oil.

2. Cut the zucchini in half lengthwise and use a melon baller or serrated spoon to remove the insides of the zucchini to make what looks like a canoe. With a melon baller, use the large scoop to remove most of the pulp in balls and then the small scoop to smooth the sides. Leave about one-fourth inch of the flesh at the sides and a little more at the bottom. Collect the pulp on a cutting board and chop coarsely.

3. Season the inside of the zucchini boats lightly with salt and steam over rapidly boiling water until almost tender, about 5 minutes.

4. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat and add the chopped onions. Cook until the onion softens, about 5 minutes. Add the zucchini pulp and cook until dry, about 10 minutes. Add the crumbled Italian sausage and fry until cooked through, about 10 minutes. Add the white wine, increase the heat to high and cook until the wine has evaporated, about 5 minutes.

5. Remove the mixture to a bowl to cool, then stir in one-half cup of the Parmigiano-Reggiano and the bread crumbs, and season to taste with more salt and pepper. The mixture should be highly seasoned. Stir in enough of the beaten egg to make the mixture hang together.

6. Without cleaning the skillet the zucchini was cooked in, add another tablespoon of olive oil, then add the garlic and cook over medium heat until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the chopped tomatoes and the capers, and cook, scraping any flavorings from the base of the pan, until the sauce just begins to thicken, about 20 minutes. Add salt to taste.

7. Spoon the tomato sauce into the oiled gratin dish. Spoon the cooked sausage mixture into the hollowed-out zucchinis, mounding on top, 4 to 6 tablespoons per zucchini.

8. Arrange the stuffed zucchini in the gratin dish; they may fit quite tightly. Dust with the remaining grated Parmigiano-Reggiano and bake until the stuffing has firmed and the tops have browned slightly, about 30 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.

EACH OF 6 SERVINGS

Calories 311

Protein 12 grams

Carbohydrates 13 grams

Fiber 3 grams

Fat 21 grams

Saturated fat 8 grams

Cholesterol 80 mg

Sugar 7 grams

Sodium 584 mg