Barley Stuffed Zucchini Recipes

BARLEY STUFFED ZUCCHINI

Steps:

• Slice zucchini in half lengthwise.
• Microwave, flat side down on a paper towel for 3 or 4 minutes.
• Let cool a bit and scoop out pulp to form each half into a "boat".
• Put "boats" aside.
• Chop zucchini pulp.
• In a medium sauce pan, combine broth, mushrooms and barley.
• Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer, covered for 15 minutes.
• In a large bowl, combine cooked barley mixture, chopped zucchini pulp, bread crumbs, thyme, black pepper, black eyed peas and 1/8 cup of Parmesan cheese.
• Fill zucchini with filling.
• Place remaining filling into a greased baking pan.
• Place filled zucchini "boats" on top of stuffing.
• Pour can of tomatoes (with liquid) evenly on top of zucchini.
• Sprinkle with 2 T. Parmesan cheese.
• Bake, uncovered @375 degrees for about 45 minutes.

BARLEY-STUFFED PEPPERS

Steps:

• Cut tops off peppers; remove seeds. In a large kettle, blanch peppers in boiling water for 3 minutes. Drain and rinse in cold water; set aside. In a skillet over medium heat, cook sausage, onion and garlic until onion is tender and sausage is no longer pink; drain. Stir in tomato sauce, barley, thyme, salt and pepper; heat through. Spoon into peppers; place in an ungreased 8-in. square baking dish. Cover and bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until peppers are tender and filling is hot.

BARLEY ZUCCHINI BOATS

Steps:

• Drain tomatoes, reserving juice. Set the tomatoes aside. Add water to juice to measure 2 cups; place in a saucepan. Add barley and cumin; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 45 minutes or until tender. , Meanwhile, place zucchini in a Dutch oven and cover with water; bring to a boil. Cook for 6 minutes or until slightly tender. Drain; cool slightly. Slice zucchini in half lengthwise. Scoop out pulp, leaving a 1/4-in. shell. Chop pulp and set aside. , In a skillet, cook beef, onion, garlic and allspice in oil until meat is no longer pink; drain. Add barley mixture, parsley, salt, pepper, tomatoes and zucchini pulp; mix well. Spoon into zucchini shells. , Combine bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese and butter; sprinkle over zucchini. Place in two greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dishes. Cover and bake at 350° for 35-40 minutes or until zucchini is tender.

BARLEY-STUFFED BUTTERNUT SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
• Bring a large pot of water to a rapid boil. Boil squash halves in the water for 15 minutes. Drain and let cool, about 10 minutes.
• Scoop flesh from each half, leaving about 1/2 inch flesh with skin. Chop scooped flesh into a small dice and set aside. Place squash halves scooped-sides up onto the prepared baking sheet.
• Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add turkey, onion, bell pepper, and squash cubes. Saute for 3 minutes. Add sage and black pepper; stir to coat. Pour in broth and bring to a boil. Add barley and return to the boil. Reduce heat to low. Cover and cook until barley is tender and liquid is absorbed, about 10 minutes. Stir in cranberries. Spoon barley mixture into squash halves on the baking sheet. Top with feta cheese.
• Bake in the preheated oven until cheese is golden, about 30 minutes.

BARLEY-STUFFED BELL PEPPERS

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan combine the broth, mushrooms, and barley.
• Bring to boiling; reduce heat.
• Simmer, covered, for 12 to 15 minutes or until barley is tender.
• Drain thoroughly.
• Cut sweet peppers in half lengthwise; remove seeds and membranes.
• If desired, precook pepper halves in boiling water for 3 minutes.
• Drain on paper towels.
• In a medium mixing bowl stir together the egg, 1/2 cup of the cheese, the tomato, zucchini, bread crumbs, basil, rosemary, onion salt, and bottled hot pepper sauce.
• Stir in cooked barley mixture.
• Place peppers, cut side up, in a 2-quart rectangular baking dish.
• Spoon barley mixture into the pepper halves.
• Bake stuffed peppers, covered, in a 350 degree oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until filling is heated through.
• Sprinkle remaining cheese over the peppers.
• Return to oven; bake 2 minutes more.
• Carefully transfer peppers to a serving platter.
• If desired, garnish with fresh rosemary and dried red chili peppers.